Business Intelligence Resources

BUS 291 (2): Business Intelligence Resources
Fall 2015
Leavitt

Critical Book Review

For this assignment, students will choose a book from the Popular Books Collection located in the Gast Business Library or from the list of recommended titles provided by the instructor and write a report about it.  A list of books in the popular collection can be found here:  http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/popularbusiness  NOTE:  You must get approval of the book you chose before you submit your report.  Failure to do so will result in 0 points for the assignment.

A critical book report is a thoughtful discussion of the contents of a book, and the strengths and limitations of the author’s arguments.  A book report should reflect your capacity as a reader to critically evaluate a book’s contents.  Compose your report as you would any essay, supported by evidence and clear, logical structure.

The report should be three to five pages in length, double spaced and typed in 12 point font.  The analysis and evaluation section should be the longest part of your report.

Organizing the Report:

INTRODUCTION

In no more than two paragraphs, summarize the contents of the book.  What topics did the book cover?  What were the main points of the book? 

ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION

1. Describe the author’s purpose in writing the book. Who do you think the primary audience was for the book? What did the author want the reader to learn from reading this book? Did the author succeed?  Why or why not?
2. Is the book accurate, or do you feel some parts are misleading?
3. Is the book well organized?  Are all parts of the book equally well reasoned and developed?
4. Have you read any other works that are comparable to this book?
5. Does the author use any sources?  What are the sources and do you think they are appropriate for the argument he/she is making?

CONCLUSION

Indicate whether you feel the book is worthwhile, and for what audience.  Is this a book you would recommend?  Was it interesting and/or convincing?  Will it make a lasting contribution to the business field?

CITATION

Provide a citation of the book in APA format at the end of your report.  The exact format you should use is as follows:

Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Location: Publisher.

 For additional help with APA formatting, see the OWL Purdue Online Writing Lab webpage:  http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/