reading response
Browne, Janet. Darwin’s Origin of Species: A Biography. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press,
2006.
9780802143464
Browne, Darwin’s Origin of Species: A Biography – Introduction and
Chapters 1, 2 and 3
Collaborative oral presentation 6
Your response should include a brief summary of the reading and your own interpretation of
it. What are the historical questions the author is posing? What is the historian’s argument?
What are the sources and methodologies the historian uses? How successful are they in
achieving their aim? Next, pose some questions of your own the text raises for you that you
believe deserve further discussion. These are informal reflections only, not formal papers, so
don’t get hung up on making them perfect, just do them! You will be surprised what you can
come up with when you put pen to paper, (or your fingers to the keyboard!) and articulate
your own interpretation of a text. The heart of historical practice is inquiry, so ask
questions! If there is something you don’t understand, say so! Do not be afraid to disagree
with the author’s findings, or question their methods. If you think the author could have done
something differently, write about it. If you liked the reading, or thought it was awful, tell me
that too. You are not being graded on your ability to remember everything you read, but
on your ability to synthesize the information and come up with questions of your own.
We will be discussing your questions and observations in class, so bring your own copy