History 1301 Joe Regan: Critical Review of Journal Article 

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History 1301: Critical Review of Journal Article

Journal Article Review:  History 1301, Fall 2010, Mr. Regan

An important objective of this course is to develop critical thinking skills related to American history. You must also be able to exhibit these skills in oral and written communication. Students acquire these skills by reading and analyzing articles written by acknowledged historians. This is called a review and it will count for ten percent of your final grade. See the syllabus for the due date. Adhere to the following guidelines in preparing your review.

a. This is to be a critical review. Do not present simply a summary of the article. Think about the article and answer the principle question..

b. In the opening paragraph of your review, give the title and author of the article, the name of the publication from which it is taken, the date of publication and the number of pages in the article.

c. Summarize the article. After you answer the question give good scholarly reasons to justify your answer.

d. Does the author use primary or secondary sources? Primary sources are materials written at the time the event occurred, such as government records, newspapers of the time, diaries, letters, diplomatic correspondence or manuscript collections. Secondary sources are books and journal articles written by historians or journalists sometime after the event.

e. Compare the article you are reviewing with the general treatment of the same topic in the text we are using (The Essential America) or from the instructor’s lectures. Does the author agree or disagree with how the topic is presented in the text? Is the author authoritative and convincing? How good is the evidence? How logical is the author’s analysis? Do you agree with the author? Why or why not?

f. How broad or limited is the author’s scope? Quotations may be utilized as an example of the author’s approach and style: the sources that he uses should be indicated, important omissions noted and the conclusions summarized. Address the quality of maps and graphics used by the author. If maps and graphics are omitted, comment on whether they should have been included.

g. Do not try to moralize or become emotional about the subject of the article. (You do not have to prove that you are on the side of the angels on any particular historical issue.) Human motives in every age are complex mysterious and often absurd. Bigotry, greed, hypocrisy and irrational behavior are difficult to be condoned. However, your review is meant to be a scholarly piece of writing. Scholarly writing exhibits knowledge and accuracy. Scholarly writing searches for the facts and truth in a dispassionate and logical manner. Moralistic writing is emotional, self-righteous and self- absorbed. Stick to the article being reviewed and do not use it as a point of departure to write an essay on your own moral beliefs or comment on a current social, economic or political event or question. (Likewise, do not tell me how you feel about an issue because of your sex, race or religious upbringing.) Keep to a scholarly, unemotional and coldly analytical appraisal of the author’s evidence. Prior to the beginning this assignment the instructor recommends you read “Should the Historian make Moral Judgments?” by Henry Steele Commager.

h. Comment on the author’s literary skill and clarity of expression. Do not give any biographical information on the author in your review.

Limit your review to no more than two typewritten pages. Please provide a copy of the journal article you have reviewed with your report. This is to assist me in grading and commenting on your work. Check your review for all typing spelling, and grammatical errors before submission. Use clear and concise English. I recommend you use active voice when ever possible. Below is a copy of the grading rubric I will use on your papers.

Criteria                                                  Points

Questions answered

Primary secondary sources

Author's thesis compared & evaluated

Critical comments

Understanding of subject

Organization

Writing skills

Grade:

Comments:

Be sure you become familiar with the means of finding SAC Library resources found on the classroom home page.

Strategy: 

• Define Topic (Evaluate)
• Devise Strategy (Evaluate)
• Search Sources (Evaluate)

Contact me if you have questions or need help locating an article for your critical review.