Option 1: Book Review of “Cutting for Stone” You may choose to write a comprehensive book review of Abraham Verghese’s “Cutting for Stone.” This review should provide not only a summary of the novel but also a critical evaluation. You are encouraged to use the book review resources and outline provided in the “Powerpoints, Readings and Videos” folder for guidance. The review should emphasize the author’s thematic exploration and narrative techniques, with particular attention to how these elements relate to global health contexts discussed throughout the course.
Submission Requirements:
Essays must be at least 1,000 words, single-spaced, adhering to the specified length requirements to avoid point deductions.
All submissions must follow APA style guidelines for formatting, in-text citations, and references.
Essays should be submitted through the course’s online platform by the designated due date.
Evaluation Criteria:
Clarity and depth of analysis or critique.
Relevance and insightfulness of the connections made between the novel’s content and global health themes.
Rigor and scholarly approach in argumentation and use of sources.
Compliance with academic writing standards, particularly regarding grammar, syntax, and APA formatting.
This flexible approach to the final essay allows you to select the option that best aligns with their interests and academic strengths, encouraging a deeper engagement with the course materials and themes.
Option 1: Book Review of “Cutting for Stone”
Overview:
As the culminating assignment for this course on global health and literature, you are required to write a detailed book review of “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese. This review should not only summarize the book but also provide a critical evaluation, connecting its themes to the global health discussions we’ve had throughout the semester. This assignment offers you an opportunity to synthesize your understanding of literature and global health, demonstrating how literary works like “Cutting for Stone” can profoundly influence and reflect our understanding of global health issues.
Instructions:
Preparation:
Refer to the book review resources and outline provided in the “Powerpoints, Readings and Videos” folder for this week’s module to guide your review.
Develop a structured outline based on these resources before beginning your review.
Content of the Review:
Summary: Briefly summarize the book to provide a background context. This summary should introduce the author’s main thesis or purpose for writing the book but should not dominate the review.
Critical Evaluation:
Share your thoughts, reactions, and responses to the book. Critically assess how effectively the author conveys the thesis and purpose.
Evaluate selected elements of the book such as characters, setting, plot developments, and literary devices. Focus your evaluation on aspects that are most impactful in relation to the book’s themes.
Specifically, link your evaluation to global health themes discussed in our course, illustrating how the book contributes to or enhances understanding of these topics.
Writing and Formatting Guidelines:
The review should be at least 1,000 words, single-spaced. Submissions under this word count will face point deductions, while longer submissions are acceptable.
Use APA style for both in-text citations and the reference section. Cite all sources of information, including direct quotes from the book and any additional sources that support your review.
Format quotes from “Cutting for Stone” by including the page number(s) in parentheses right after the quote, e.g., “Quote” (p. 345).
Use block quote formatting for quotes exceeding three lines, with single spacing and a page citation at the end.
Maintain a formal tone throughout the review. Avoid colloquial language, contractions, and first-person pronouns. I also encourage you to avoid hedging phrases such as “I believe, I think” as this renders you uncertain about what youa re writing about.
Submission:
Ensure your review is well-organized and clearly written, following your developed outline.
Include a reference list at the end of your review, citing “Cutting for Stone” and any other sources you refer to in your analysis.
Evaluation Criteria:
Clarity and depth of the summary and critical evaluation.
Relevance and insight of the connections made between the book’s content and global health themes.
Adherence to the formatting and citation guidelines.
Quality of writing, including grammar, spelling and writing mechanics
