Tips and Hints

Need a little help?

Occasionally students need extra help on an assignment or a friendly reminder about what is expected of them. On this page I'll put some useful tips relating to class projects so they can find the help they need even when I'm not available (e.g., on weekends or evenings). And I'll be sure to update the tips and hints when new assignments are due.

Book Review Helps

Here are a few tips that I've found helpful when I sit down to write about a book. Give them a try!

Before you begin writing, make a few notes about the points you want to get across.
While you're writing, try thinking of your reader as a friend to whom you're telling a story.
Try to mention the name of the author and the book title in the first paragraph — there's nothing more frustrating than reading a review of a great book but not knowing who wrote it and what the title is!
If possible, use one paragraph for each point you want to make about the book. It's a good way to emphasize the importance of the point. You might want to list the main points in your notes before you begin.
Try to get the main theme of the book across in the beginning of your review. Your reader should know right away what he or she is getting into should they choose to read the book!
Think about whether the book is part of a genre. Does the book fit into a type like mystery, adventure, or romance? What aspects of the genre does it use?
What do you like or dislike about the book's writing style? Is it funny? Does it give you a sense of the place it's set? What is the author's/narrator's "voice" like?
Try using a few short quotes from the book to illustrate your points. This is not absolutely necessary, but it's a good way to give your reader a sense of the author's writing style.
Make sure your review explains how you feel about the book and why, not just what the book is about. A good review should express the reviewer's opinion and persuade the reader to share it, to read the book, or to avoid reading it.
Do research about the author and incorporate what you learn into the review. Biographical information can help you formulate your opinion about the book, and gives your review a "depth." Remember, a book doesn't come directly from a printing press, it's a product of an author's mind, and therefore it may be helpful to know something about the author and how she or he came to write the book.

General Study Tips

Tips for reading your text and taking notes

There is no substitute for reading! If you do not read the text, it is unlikely you will pass any course, and World History is no exception to this truism. Professors and teachers frequently have students read from one text, but often lecture from other sources. Consequently, if you do not read the assigned text, you will only have a portion of the material needed for success.

Reading must be suppliment by notetakeing. Few people posses photographic memories. To best prepare to pass your course and exams, students should keep a notebook. This should inculde lecture notes, map work, essays, vocabulary, and the review of all returned work. If you take good notes, reviewing for tests will be easier and should ensure better results.

Notetaking can take many forms. One superior method is outlining the chapters. While most studnets do not like to outline, there is no better method to summarize the contents of a book. As you read, take your notes in some organized format. Before you begin, divide the page vertaclly into two columns. Create narrower column on the left and a wider one the right. This is called T-outline. As you read , place your reading notes in the larger , right hand column. When your teacher lectures, put their notes in the left hand column across form your notes on the same topic.

Do not read and outline simutaneously! Read each separte section then go back and outline it. In your text, each chapters divided into main sectors and sub-sections within the larger sections. These conditions make it easy to outline.

Do not write everything down. The titles of each unit, chapter and section are signposts to the main idea. Figure out what they mean. Write them down. Summarize the main points of each section or paragraph. Include key vocabulary; it is identified by italics or bold color and defined within the text or glossary. Do not copy paragraphs or sentences. Learn to summarize. Use a dictionary. When you read, if you do not know a word, look it up.

Review your notes prior to the test - do not reread the whole textbook or relative chapters. When you are ready to study for any exam, review your notes over the relevant sections. If you have read and outlined thoroughly, there is little need to go back to your textbook. Learn to highlight (in your notes) important themes and ideas in one color and vocabulary in another.

Study smart!