For Ph 103 N (1st sem, 2019-2020):
The report must revolve around a question or theme that you found relevant to the novel and to our course. It has to be one question or theme and therefore no subquestions nor subthemes.
The topic may revolve around one particular scene or one particular character or one symbolism or one plot device, etc. In other words, do not give a laundry list of topics you found interesting. Commit to only one topic and focus on that for the whole essay.
Do not give any introductions nor synopses, reviews and others. Assume that your reader is familiar with the novel (I am that reader anyway). Research will not be necessary since it would either distract you with additional information or bombard you with what other people think or saw. Just declare your question or topic and jump into it immediately. The task is best expressed by the Jesuit dictum: Non multum sed multa (Not many but much / Not breadth but depth). Remember, this is not a reaction paper, not a research paper, not a review, but a book report. What is important is what you saw and what you think. Imagine cows chewing the cud: ruminate!
It would be helpful for the sake of clarity to express your main point in the form of a thesis statement. This allows you to focus on your chosen topic and it makes it clear to the reader what your goals and intentions are.
There are three tasks in the report:
1. Identify the problem/ question/ topic and discuss how the novel developed and resolved it.
2. Show how this resonates with the problems or themes we encounter in our Philosophy of Religion class (By way of class discussions and readings)
3. Reflect on how the novel has helped you understand/ face/ resolve the said problem or theme.
Physical Attributes of the Paper:
paper size:A4
margins: 1 inch from every edge
font: times new roman
font size: 12 points
spacing: double spaced throughout
length: three (3) to five (5) pages
printing: one side printing
Begin the paper on the first line of the first page. Titles are not required but if you plan to have one, it must be at the first line of the first page to be followed immediately by the essay.
No dates, sections, names or any marks must be found on the first page. Place your name as author immediately after the last line at the end of your essay.
Regarding the double spaces, the distance between paragraphs must be the same distance between lines in the paragraph. Make sure to reduce to zero the automatic spaces that your word processor may place before or after each paragraph.
The deadline for the book report is Friday, 6 December. Since this is a study day, please drop your report in my mailbox found on the landing of the 2nd floor of Dela Costa Hall. It is one of the higher mailboxes (This has nothing to do with rank. I was given a high mailbox because they said I am taller than most other people in the department. Apologies to those disadvantaged by this.). The deadline only has a date but no time. You may submit so long as the building is open and you can freely walk through the lobby to the second floor.
If you wish to see your work graded before you take the final exams, please submit your work on or before Friday, 29 November.
