Book Report/Review

Assignment (worth 30 PPLAGIARIZE. toward your final grade):
In class we have discussed various factors potentially leading to immigration to the United States.

Based on Harvest of Empire (Revised edition), Chapters 4-9, write an essay of at least 1500 words that

describes:

a) Two examples of economic migration either push or pull.
b) Two examples of political migration either push or pull.
c) One example of state-sponsored migration.

Essay Criteria:
1. All examples are to be drawn from Harvest of Empire, Chapters 4-9 (inclusive). You must draw from at

least five different chapters.
2. Write this essay in a flowing manner, not just one declarative sentence after another. Narrate the

underlying story of each example in your own words. Imagine you are writing for someone who has not

read the book.
3. Be clear about which type of factor underlying the migration you are talking about (a, b or c

above). Don’t just give historical examples without identifying the type of migration it is.
4. Use short quotes (not long passages) from the text to give evidence for each of your five examples.

Always give a page and paragraph reference to the quote you are providing.
5. Double-check your spelling and grammar, which are counted in your grade.
6. All examples have to deal with migration from Latin America/Caribbean to the continental U.S. during

the 20th century.

Essay Outline (4 sections): you must follow this outline.

Introduction (2.5 pts.): The first sentence of your essay will read: “The book Harvest of Empire offers

many examples of the factors leading to migration.” Then go on from there, identifying each of the five

examples and indicating which underlying factor it corresponds to. For example, “The first example of

economic migration I discuss is the case of Colombians who left for the U.S.; the second example of

economic migration is the situation of XXX, the first case of political migration is the case of YYY,”

etc., etc.

Main Body (25 pts.): Narrate and discuss the five examples following the Essay Criteria #1-6 above.

Conclusion (2.5 pts): In this section write a reflection on the meaning and significance of Latino

migration to the U.S. Some ideas for this section: Has Latino immigration been a positive or negative

for the U.S.? Has Latino immigration been a positive or negative for the immigrants themselves? Has

Latino immigration resonated in some way with your own personal or family history (whether you are

Latino or not)? Do you think Mr. González is fair or biased in his rendition of the story of Latino

immigration (give examples)?

Bibliography (0 pts., but deduction of 1 pt. if omitted): Include “Harvest of Empire” and any other

sources (book or journal) in your bibliography following APA style. For guidance google “Easybib book

(journal) APA”

Essay Instructions:
• Your completed essay is to be submitted in class on the due date. Late submission will affect your

grade.
• Put your name and the title of this course at the top of the first page.
• Assignments are to be typed in 12 pt. font size and double-spaced (Times New Roman font), and pages

are to be stapled.
• Keep a copy of your essay.
• Make sure you meet the required word-length. You don’t receive credit for tangential or unrelated

material that does not respond directly to the question asked. Be focused and informative in your

writing. Developing this habit will get you far in life!