English 1B Journals |
Journal Guidelines The journals are informal responses to the readings, or to other specific questions or ideas presented in the class. I will provide ideas for topics, but you are free to write about whatever you want in response to some aspect of the class. The journals are intended to be a way for you to explore ideas that you might later wish to express in a paper or a discussion. I will not censor these journals in any way, nor will I grade them on content or grammar (though, like the seminars, they must be coherent and display some measure of critical thinking about the question at hand). I will collect your journals periodically. You may also wish to share your journals with the other students. I must be frank and say that the journals are always the most interesting assignments for me to read; they are the perfect forum for you to express your individuality without worrying about form, appropriate content, grammar or other "Englishy" concerns. The journals are where you write about what's really on your mind, in your own individual style. |
Journal #1 - Creativity This assignment is designed for me to get a sense of your natural writing style, to identify strengths and potential challenges in your writing, to get to know you better. Write one page or more on the following question:
Think deeply about the question, and try to come up with as many ways as possible. The answer might be easy if you think of yourself as an artist, dancer or poet, but there are so many more ways of being creative. You might want to write about how you express yourself as an individual, or about what activity you engage in when you feel most yourself, or most absorbed in what you're doing, so that you lose track of time. There are many ways of answering this question, and all are right, provided you are open and candid. |
Journal #2 - Love, Violence, Blind Tradition Pick one of the following options (or two or even all three, if you're feeling ambitious) Option 1: Love
Option 2: Violence
Option 3: Blind Tradition
|
Journal #3 - Samhain/All Hallow's/Dia de los Muertos The symbolic representation of death and rebirth is prominent in most of the world's mythologies and religions. The holidays we know as Samhain (Celtic tradition), All Hallow's Day and All Soul's Day (Catholic tradition) and Dia de los Muertos (Latin American tradition) celebrate the figurative victory of life over death. During these days, the dead are metaphorically 'resurrected' and honored by those who are still living, with gifts and prayers. In all these traditions, the day is a day to contemplate the meaning of life, to reflect on what we have done, what we have acheived or failed to acheive, and what direction our lives have yet to take. In honor of these traditions, this journal asks you to have your own Day of Reckoning. Some questions to consider:
|
|