Writing Assignment #2 Critical Book Analysis
Instructions: The deadline to turn in writing assignment #2 is Your assignment should be about 4-5 pages in length (double spaced, 12 point font).
For this writing assignment, choose one non-fiction book dealing with deviant behavior. A list of potential book choices is on the last page. You are not limited to the book suggestions I provide; however, you must have your book approved if you go choose your own book. You can pick any topic related to deviant behavior and find a non-fiction book that relates to the topic.
The goal of a critical book analysis is to 1) identify and explain what points or arguments the author is making and 2) to provide your own analysis of the book.
What to include:
1) Introduction
- What is your book about? When does it take place?
- Brief overview of the theme, purpose, and your evaluation
- 2) Summary of the Content
- Brief summary of the key points presented
- Paraphrase information; use a short quotation if appropriate
- 3) Evaluation/Critique (The bulk of your paper should be here)
- Give your opinion.
i. Is the book interesting? Was it an easy read or too difficult to get
through? Does the author support their arguments well? What are the strengths and weaknesses? Would you recommend the book? What would you change or suggest for the author?
4) Conclusion
a. Wrap up all your points, do not abruptly end the paper with the
evaluation/critique
Here is a source for excellent information on writing book reviews:
Potential Book Choices
Becker, Howard S. (1963, 1973, 1991, 1997). Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. Leslie Morgan Steiner (2010). Crazy Love.
Sudhir Venkatesh (2008). Gang Leader for a Day: A Rouge Sociologist Takes to the Streets. Philippe Bourgois (2003). In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio.
Mitchell Duneier (2000). Sidewalk.
Douglas Harper (2006). Good Company: A Tramp Life.
Brents, Jackson &Hausbeck (2010). The State of Sex: Tourism, Sex, and Sin in the New
American Heartland.
Humphreys, Laud (1975). Tearoom Trade: Impersonal Sex in Public Places.
Contreras, Randol (2013). The Stickup Kids: Race, Drugs, Violence, and the American Dream. Haenfler, Ross (2016). Goths, Gamers, and Grrrls: Deviance and Youth Subculture.
Laura, T. Crystal (2014). Being Bad: My Baby Brother and the School-to-Prison Pipeline. Pager, Devah (2007). Marked: Race, Crime, and Finding Work in an Era of Mass
Incarceration.
Boeri, Miriam (2013). Women on Ice: Methamphetamine Use among Suburban Women. Goode, Erich (2018). The Taming of New York’s Washington Square: A Wild Civility.
Jacques and Wright (2015). Code of the Suburb: Inside the World of Young Middle-Class Drug
Dealers.
Anderson, Elijah (2000). Code of the Streets: Decency, Violence, and the Moral Life of the
Inner City.
Sikes, Gini (1998). 8 Ball Chicks: A Year in the Violent World of Girl Gangs.
Shakur, Sanyika (2004). Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member.
Earley, Pete (2007). Crazy: A Father’s Search through America’s Mental Health Madness. Waits, Chris and Dave Shors (1999). Unabomber: The Secret Life of Ted Kaczynski.
Klebold, Sue and Andrew Solomon (2017). A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of
Tragedy.
Pascale, Richard, et al. (2010). The Power of Positive Deviance: How Unlikely Innovators Solve the
World’s Toughest Problems.