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( THE BOOK IS 
Paul Johnson, Famous Jumper Sam Patch) THIS IS THE BOOK I AM REVIEWING !!!
A key aspect to research and our class discussion is evaluating secondary sources. An efficient
way of learning to do this are book reviews. They help us to learn how to assess an author’s
argument and the degree to which they are successful or not in their endeavor. Do they back their
claim up with evidence in a compelling and convincing fashion?
Your assignment is to write TWO brief (2-3 pp) book reviews on two books (not journal
articles) of your choice from the assigned class readings for the course. In them you will briefly
summarize the contents and arguments of the reading. You will then evaluate the work paying
particular attention to their use of sources and how the larger field of American Christianity and
the American Nation. These reviews are due on the day of the class discussion over the book you
have chosen to write on.
To accomplish your book review, you must utilize at least one book review written about the
book and published in a scholarly journal. These reviews will help you to understand the
historiographical issues at stake in the book. You are, of course, free to agree or disagree with the
evaluation of the book in the review. This can be a good jumping off point for your own
evaluation, but remember, your response needs to be cogent and based on substantive evaluation
of the book you have chosen.
You can find these reviews through the ATLA Religion Database, America: History and Life, or
typing the title of your book into the SMU library search engine (https://guides.smu.edu/az.php
and https://www.smu.edu/libraries). If you need assistance locating reviews, contact Profs. Carte
or Reynolds or the librarians at Fondren for help.
• Use footnotes (not in text citations) to cite all evidence.
• Use The Chicago Manual of Style (2017) for citation formats (it can be found here via the
SMU library website:
https://smu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01SMU_INST/6ctoa/alma995217157300
3716)

You must provide a title page and a separate Bibliography page (list of sources).
You must use at least 7 “scholarly” sources for your essay. Do NOT use any type of “encyclopedias” as a source! You also must not use websites OTHER than those that end in .edu. You should use academic sources such as journal articles, monographs (books), journals, diaries, journal articles, newspapers, etc. You must use the Chicago (commonly called Turabian) style and format. Make sure that you use “Endnotes” and “Bibliography” style. Do NOT use “footnotes.” If you are not familiar with Turabian, the following site may be very helpful: https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/turabian/turabian-notes-and-bibliography-citation-quick-guide.htmlLinks to an external site.
Essays must be submitted via the “assignment link” by midnight on the date indicated. The link is located in Module 8. Papers must be typed using 12 point standard font (Times New Roman), double-spaced with one-inch margins, and in MS-Word format. Failure to comply will result in point deductions. Do NOT insert any type of chart, photo, image, or list into your narrative. Do not use “headings” in the main body of your essay. You also should not include an “abstract.” No e-mail attachments will be accepted. Students must include their name on the document.