Book name The Ends of The Earth: A Journey to the Frontiers of Anarchy ‐ Robert D. KaplanThe Ends of The Earth: A Journey to the Frontiers of Anarchy ‐ Robert D. KaplanThe Ends of The Earth: A Journey to the Frontiers of Anarchy ‐ Robert D. Kaplan
BRAE/NR 349 – Book Review/Reflection
Students will engage in a written report based on an approved water- or sustainability-related book.
Each student will get access to and work independently on an assigned book. The list of possible books
is included in the assignment description and the syllabus. See Canvas or syllabus for list of approved
books.
Write a review/reflection of the book you chose to read. Make sure your review goes beyond
summarizing the book. You should explain how this book contributed specifically to your learning in
this course and your understanding of sustainability as it pertains to water resources. Consider the
following questions as starting points for your reflection. (You do not need to answer each question
systematically; feel free to address other questions/ideas in the paper.)
• What in the book has challenged you, and what has affirmed your own thinking about issues of
water sustainability?
• How does this book fit (or not) with the subjects discussed in class?
• Do you relate to any parts of the book personally?
• What questions linger for you after reading the book?
• Are there portions of the argument you find problematic?
Important Notes – All Projects
1. This is not a research paper. You may use external sources, but they should not detract from the
primary assignment topic: what you learned from this book and how it contributed to your
understanding of sustainability as it pertains to water resources.
2. The paper needs to be a mix of examples from the book and from the student’s own reflections on
their learning that makes a case for what was or was not learned. In other words, the grader should
be able to tell that this paper is yours, and not a stock book review you downloaded.
3. Approach the project as if your audience comprises your fellow students. That is, do not leave out
details relevant to your argument assuming that I (your teacher) will fill them in myself. At the same
time, do not include details that even an average eighth-grader would know (e.g., “Water is a
limited resource”) just to fill space on the page.
Odds and Ends – Papers
1. All papers should be double-spaced with one-inch margins using a standard 11- or 12-point font
(e.g., Times New Roman or Calibri). The paper should be 1200-1500 words (about 5 pages). The
word/page limits exclude bibliography. Paragraphs should be indented, and there should be no
space between them.
2. The tone of your paper should be formal and academic. Avoid contractions and do not address your
reader directly (e.g., “You will see…”). Note: This is different than your discussion posts!
3. Proofread your paper. Read it aloud if that helps. Spellcheck does not catch everything.
4. Every paper must have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The thesis or main point of your
paper should be clear, obvious, and located in the introduction. You must have a discernible thesis.
Your paper must then have clear organization that follows that trajectory and makes sense.
Additionally, the reader should know what book you are discussing within your first paragraph.
5. Get your money’s worth at Cal Poly: Use the Writing Center! See
https://writingandlearning.calpoly.edu/ for how to utilize this resource.
Students will engage in a written report based on an approved water- or sustainability-related book.
Each student will get access to and work independently on an assigned book. The list of possible books
is included in the assignment description and the syllabus. See Canvas or syllabus for list of approved
books.
Write a review/reflection of the book you chose to read. Make sure your review goes beyond
summarizing the book. You should explain how this book contributed specifically to your learning in
this course and your understanding of sustainability as it pertains to water resources. Consider the
following questions as starting points for your reflection. (You do not need to answer each question
systematically; feel free to address other questions/ideas in the paper.)
• What in the book has challenged you, and what has affirmed your own thinking about issues of
water sustainability?
• How does this book fit (or not) with the subjects discussed in class?
• Do you relate to any parts of the book personally?
• What questions linger for you after reading the book?
• Are there portions of the argument you find problematic?
Important Notes – All Projects
1. This is not a research paper. You may use external sources, but they should not detract from the
primary assignment topic: what you learned from this book and how it contributed to your
understanding of sustainability as it pertains to water resources.
2. The paper needs to be a mix of examples from the book and from the student’s own reflections on
their learning that makes a case for what was or was not learned. In other words, the grader should
be able to tell that this paper is yours, and not a stock book review you downloaded.
3. Approach the project as if your audience comprises your fellow students. That is, do not leave out
details relevant to your argument assuming that I (your teacher) will fill them in myself. At the same
time, do not include details that even an average eighth-grader would know (e.g., “Water is a
limited resource”) just to fill space on the page.
Odds and Ends – Papers
1. All papers should be double-spaced with one-inch margins using a standard 11- or 12-point font
(e.g., Times New Roman or Calibri). The paper should be 1200-1500 words (about 5 pages). The
word/page limits exclude bibliography. Paragraphs should be indented, and there should be no
space between them.
2. The tone of your paper should be formal and academic. Avoid contractions and do not address your
reader directly (e.g., “You will see…”). Note: This is different than your discussion posts!
3. Proofread your paper. Read it aloud if that helps. Spellcheck does not catch everything.
4. Every paper must have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The thesis or main point of your
paper should be clear, obvious, and located in the introduction. You must have a discernible thesis.
Your paper must then have clear organization that follows that trajectory and makes sense.
Additionally, the reader should know what book you are discussing within your first paragraph.
5. Get your money’s worth at Cal Poly: Use the Writing Center! See
https://writingandlearning.calpoly.edu/ for how to utilize this resource.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Can I use “I” in my paper?
Answer 1: This is a reflection paper, so yes, you should. This paper cannot be a book summary report
that you can find online; it needs to incorporate your own learning, your own ideas, and your own
synthesis with information from this course and your life. It needs to be apparent that you read the
book (the whole book and yes, we will be able to tell if you didn’t), and you need to employ critical
thinking to articulate what you learned from it. However, also keep in mind that this is
a formal reflection paper; use proper spelling, grammar, structure, and style.
Question 2: Can I use external sources?
Answer 2: Yes, but it is not required and may detract from your paper. See “Important Notes,” item 1.
Question 3: Do I need a bibliography/works cited page?
Answer 3: If the only sources you use are the book and your brain, then no. Just make sure you identify
the book and author on the first page of your paper. If you use outside sources then yes, in-text citations
and a references page would be required. You can use whatever reference style you are most
comfortable with, as long as you use it correctly and consistently (don’t just make one up).
Question 4: Will you review a draft of my paper?
Answer 4: No. We don’t grade or review drafts. We recommend that you use the Cal Poly Writing
Center (https://writingandlearning.calpoly.eduLinks to an external site.) if you would like to get
feedback on your writing.
Question 5: I started reading a different book than the one I signed up for at the beginning of the
quarter. Can I switch books?
Answer 5: Yes, as long as you notify Dr. Styles and it is not right before the paper is due.
Question 1: Can I use “I” in my paper?
Answer 1: This is a reflection paper, so yes, you should. This paper cannot be a book summary report
that you can find online; it needs to incorporate your own learning, your own ideas, and your own
synthesis with information from this course and your life. It needs to be apparent that you read the
book (the whole book and yes, we will be able to tell if you didn’t), and you need to employ critical
thinking to articulate what you learned from it. However, also keep in mind that this is
a formal reflection paper; use proper spelling, grammar, structure, and style.
Question 2: Can I use external sources?
Answer 2: Yes, but it is not required and may detract from your paper. See “Important Notes,” item 1.
Question 3: Do I need a bibliography/works cited page?
Answer 3: If the only sources you use are the book and your brain, then no. Just make sure you identify
the book and author on the first page of your paper. If you use outside sources then yes, in-text citations
and a references page would be required. You can use whatever reference style you are most
comfortable with, as long as you use it correctly and consistently (don’t just make one up).
Question 4: Will you review a draft of my paper?
Answer 4: No. We don’t grade or review drafts. We recommend that you use the Cal Poly Writing
Center (https://writingandlearning.calpoly.eduLinks to an external site.) if you would like to get
feedback on your writing.
Question 5: I started reading a different book than the one I signed up for at the beginning of the
quarter. Can I switch books?
Answer 5: Yes, as long as you notify Dr. Styles and it is not right before the paper is due.