SOC 305 The Black Family | Book Talks

What is a book talk?

 

A book talk is a short presentation about a book with the goal of convincing other people to read it.  It is persuasive and engaging. It is not a book report. For this class we are also going to add the element of making connections to sociological concepts/themes you learn about in class.

 

IDEA Den

Your book talks will be featured in a library display and on the library's IDEA Den's (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Awareness Den) online site.

These examples are traditional examples that include talking points about literary elements and sometimes who they would recommend the book to. 

You may include why you recommend it but don't necessarily need to include who you would recommend it to. 

You will not need to comment on literary elements INSTEAD you will be talking about connections you can make between the book and sociological concepts you learn in class.

There are also examples of book talks from previous sociology classes that contain connections between the book and sociological concepts.

Guidelines for your Book Talk:

• You will choose one fiction or non-fiction title from the list provided at the start of the semester. It should not be a book you have already read. Ideally everyone will choose a different title.
• The goal of this assignment is to give you the opportunity to read a book meant for enjoyment and see how sociological themes learned in your course tie in to the real or fictional life experiences told in the books.  
• Please do not confuse Book Talks with a book review or a book report.  Book Talks are brief “teasers” given enthusiastically as a way to entice others to read a particular book.  You will include some summary in your Book Talk, but consider this presentation a persuasive speech, not just a report.  You are trying to convince others to read this book as well as demonstrate your grasp of course content by making connections to the book. Do not give away too much of the story!! NEVER tell the ending!
• YOU MUST READ THE BOOK.  
• Your video can be anywhere from a minimum of 3 minutes to a maximum of 5 minutes.  
• Videos will consist of a well-done slide-show with you talking over it, narrating. It will contain all of the requirements below.
• Use the style guidelines developed as a class as well as instructor and peer review feedback, the rubric, checklist, and other tools provided to make the best final product.

 

Book Talks must include the following content (try to keep to one slide each unless otherwise noted. You do not need to title your slides with the subjects here ie. Intro, Teaser, etc.):

Slide 1. Intro:  

Indicate this is a Book Talk presented by: Your name

Give the title and author of the book; book cover

Slide 2. Complete citation information and whether it is fiction or non-fiction, anything else unique/noteworthy

Slide 3. Main characters/real-life characters

     Names

     Brief describing info no more than a line of text 

Slide 4.  About the story - brief summary DON’T GIVE AWAY THE ENDING - NO SPOILERS! (1-3 slides)

Be sure to include:

What happens in the book that makes it interesting, what’s the problem/conflict?  

          When and where does the book take place?

Slide 5.  Teaser - Examples: Does the family accomplish their goal? You’ll have to read it to find out what

happens / Do they succeed? Hope you check it out / Etc.

Slide 6.  Why you recommend it, why people should read the book

Slide 7.  Connect it back to what you have learned in this course; connect it to sociology; cite readings if you use them (2-3 slides)

 

Additional requirements:  

• You must include the book cover (typically with the intro)
• Two or more favorite quotes from the book are required - where you place it is up to you (own slide(s) or incorporated

in slides above).

• There will be other requirements such as submitting a written transcript of your slides narration (for ADA compliance

when videos are posted to the library’s website) and submitting in particular file format.

• Consistently check Canvas and your online class guide for other requirements.

 

 

Advice:

• When doing your voice over be prepared, but also be real/authentic as you deliver (don’t be a robot and don’t just read directly from the slides).  
• Be energetic - your goal is to encourage others to read this book - the audience will feed off of your excitement for it.
• Feel free to make it interesting - include pictures, read from the book, suggest “if you like this you might also like…” titles, give a star rating or add music or sound effects.
• Worth saying again - NO SPOILERS!

 

CLASS BRAINSTORM - Style guidelines:

• effective use of quotes
• make personable, conversational kind of style, (use humor if appropriate)
• clear, straightforward, easy to follow
• tied back to book easily
• good flow, speaking pace good
• right amount of words on slides - talking was adding value
• appropriate, well spaced images
• clear theme, mood
• grab audience attention right away
• ending the talk with a leading question no spoiler