Book Project

Students will engage in a written or video 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.
Assignment
Write or make a video of a review of the book you chose to read. Make sure your review goes beyond
summarizing the book. You should also 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?
• What questions linger for you after reading the book?
• How do you think your author’s understanding of the subject matter could be helpful for
communities?
• 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. 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 or time in your video.
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). There is a 5-page requirement (max and min). The page limits
exclude bibliography. Paragraphs should be indented, and there should be no space between
paragraphs.
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. Additionally, the reader should be
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.
Odds and Ends – Video Presentations
1. All presentations must be provided as a deliverable. Provide the Zoom link or YouTube link of the
final presentation as well as the PowerPoint file used. If you are able to upload the video file (.mp4
preferred), that is acceptable instead of a link. Note: Check Canvas’s upload file size limits before
trying this method.
2. Video must be between 10-12 minutes long. Please stay within this max/min limit.