Klan Article Review Assignment Details
The analysis of secondary sources is an essential skill not just for historians, but for anyone who has to deal with data, or more specifically, data about data.
In this assignment, you will analyze the linked article about the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s. The format that you will follow is the same that you would for producing a book review.
A book review is significantly different than a book report. You have likely written many book reports in your earlier academic career. They focus almost solely on factual information like character, settings, and plot. It is mostly descriptive.
A review must contain a little description of the book but it is mostly an analysis of the book. You should identify the thesis of the author, or the specific reason that they wrote the book. Summarize their main argument, the kinds of evidence they used, and how convincing their arguments were.
Point out any bias or intellectual assumptions that they make. You may want to explain who the intended audience for the book is or what audiences may find the book useful. Assess the quality of their research and the reliability of their sources. Is their writing mechanically solid?
The same method is used when reviewing an article. Your job is to pass judgement on their analysis. Your review should be 500 words or more in length.