Report on Chapters 1-8

General Overview

A Reading Report (RR) in History of Ideas is a written analysis to show you have read, thought

about, and interacted with the text. The content of a RR is designed to let you demonstrate this.

Submission Guidelines

• 300–400 words; single-spaced Times New Roman 12 pt font; 1-inch margins on all sides.

• Be sure your name, the RR#, the text, and %-completed are stated but if less than 90% you

did not finish enough to do a RR (which is considered cheating). Finish then submit late.1

• Upload each RR as a Word doc in CampusNet by the deadline.

2

• Please name each file for our records, with your last name + RR## like this: Smith RR09.

Content

Every RR should cover the assigned text(s) with the following headings in the order shown:

a. Importance: In 1–2 sentences from a secondary scholarly source or introductory material in

the work you should account for some reasons why the work is a classic, influential, still

read. Exception: If multiple RRs are done for one work (e.g., Iliad or Odyssey) do not repeat

that after the first RR, but find a focus in the assigned section for a biblical connection.

b. 1–2 Theme(s): List some key ideas, arguments, or a thesis in the assigned section.

HINT: use the “Great Ideas” on p. 41 of the HOI-2 Reader. Do not summarize content here,

and realize that there are many you may find (some are more obvious than others). The point is

for you to find that great works are great because they address many things on several levels.

c. 2–3 Connections: This is the most important aspect of a RR: relate the assigned work to prior

HOI readings. The reason this is important is for the HUM1120 Essay assignment where you

must discuss 6 separate readings connected around 3 selected themes. You should see its

Assignment Instruction and work toward it in each week’s RR. DO NOT focus on devotional,

biblical, or cultural connections unless these HOI connections have been done.

d. 2 Quotes: Set up & cite 2 passages from the assigned text. Choose any your setup statement

explains is familiar, well-written, insightful, or illustrates a RR theme or connection.

e. 2–3 Discussion Questions: Prepare 2–3 questions for class discussion in on-campus sections or

for Threaded Discussions in online sections.