Journal Expectations

Two days each week,  you will choose a poem, story or drama, then you will

  1. write a summary of the work,
  2. an intellectual response to it, and finally
  3. a personal reaction, trying to find how the piece connects to you.  

These can be handwritten or typed. They should be no less than three paragraphs long. Spending twenty to thirty minutes in the writing process would be appropriate, not much more than that though.

At the end of the week, you will choose one of the two entries, revise, and rewrite it. A rewritten journal entry should be between 300 and 600 words in length.  These will be turned in on the first day of class each week. These typed journal entries (TJEs) will be minimally marked -- a wb01114_.gif (189 bytes) will receive 10 points, a + will receive 12 points and a ++ will receive 14 points, and a wb01114_.gif (189 bytes)- will receive 5 points. 

Journal Hints:

  • Write two days per week -- keep in three clasp binder (binder to be turned in at end of quarter)
  • on Friday, choose one, rewrite it, proof it
  • be sure to include author, title and source in summary
  • be sure to include one paragraph summary, at least one paragraph reaction (intellectual), and at least one paragraph experience (emotional)
  • give the whole thing a title that alludes to the meaning 
  • take risks, be brave, use vocabulary that is exciting and lively!

The more energy you put into the journal the higher the score.   Moreover, please keep all of your journal entries, both handwritten and typed, together in one small binder, as we will collect it at the end of the quarter.
 

A paraphrase of the above

  • Paragraph 1 introduces and summarizes the piece you are discussing
  • Paragraph 2 gives your intellectual reaction, citing from the piece itself
  • Paragraph 3 draws connections between you and the text, perhaps describing an experience that you had concerning the topic, so that we gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts

Over the course of the quarter, you can choose a mix of any of the following:

  • non-fiction works
  • fiction
  • poems
  • plays
  • popular video that relates to the week's readings

To see journals by other students click here! http://ol.scc.spokane.edu/jstrever/lit/litweb/Default.asp

Contents within this site are copyrighted by both the author of essays and/or Jan Strever.
The contents within these pages are solely those of the author and S.C.C.
should not be held responsible.  ©1999-2009
Last revised: November 19, 2009 by Jan Strever -- jstrever@scc.spokane.edu
Personal site:  http://www.js.spokane.wa.us/

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