Journal Assignments  Fall 2010

Your task will be to select an essay from the assigned genre/chapter in your Axelrod text (one which I have not assigned for class discussion).  Read the essay at least twice.  Then select a meaningful phrase or sentence (no more than 2 sentences) for reflection and analysis.  Type the phrase or sentence under the essay title and author.  Be sure to use quotes and note the page number(s) in parentheses following the quotation. (Remember that MLA only uses the page number, not the word "page.") Then explore your selection from three perspectives:

             First, consider the significance of your choice within the essay itself.  How does this insight/idea/concept impact or direct the essay?   Why did you make this selection?    Remember that you are not writing a summary.  You are evaluating and analyzing the essay through the "lens" of your chosen quote.  Prompts to consider might include some of the following:  "The author uses this quote...."; "In this essay, the quote serves as..."; "In this context, the quote ...."  Use the quote to direct the focus of your analysis (don't repeat the quote, just reference the quote or parts of it).  Don't get sidetracked.  The quote "drives" this part of the essay.

             Next, consider your choice (this same quote) from a personal perspective (perhaps compare to a personal experience or something else you have read).  Then consider your selection (the same quote) from a more universal perspective.  Does this insight/idea/concept have broader implications outside of the essay and outside of your sphere of influence? By this time, the essay is far behind you.  Don't reference it, just use the quote itself for your universal starting point.

             Finally, before you hand in your journal at midterm and again at the end of term, please submit the document as a single upload to turnitin.com.  (This is accomplished by joining your 4 reflections into 1 document--one entry following another.)  You will do this twice during the semester.  Do not resend the first set when you submit the final set of 2 and your Works Cited page.   When you are preparing your folder for the final submission, please see "formatting the final submission" in the "journal requirements and format" for directions on the Works Cited requirement.

Journal 1  (All pages below refer to the Axelrod text)

Choose one reading from pages 27-48.

Journal 2

Choose one reading from pages 49-62

Journal 3

Choose one reading from pages 93-110

Journal 4

Choose one reading from pages 111-135

Turn in this section to me and to Turnitin.com

Please note the change in the remaining journal assignments between now and end of term

Journal 5

Either...

Choose one reading from pages 167-182 

Or...

Choose one reading from pages 185-200

Journal 6

Either ...

Choose one reading from pages 232-265

Or...

Your choice of 1 additional reading from pages 27-254 (as long as it hasn't been assigned in class)

Turn in this section with a complete Works Cited section to me and to Turnitin.com by the assigned due date