English 1A
Journal #5

Purpose: To examine attitudes toward reading, to think about the relationship between early reading experiences and later attitudes, to think about what literature is, and what are the elements of good books.

Directions: 

Note: The journals are intended to be a way for you to explore ideas that you might later wish to refine 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). You do not have to answer all the questions, nor do you have to confine yourself to these questions. Write about whatever is on your mind. 

Write a page or two about your thoughts on your own reading history and attitudes toward reading.

Some questions to consider: 

• What kind of reader were you as a kid?
• Were you read to in the home?
• Do you remember learning how to read in school or at home?
• What stands out when you think about your early reading experiences?
• Do you have favorite books that you remember from childhood? 
• What did you enjoy about those books?
• How have your attitudes toward reading changed over time?
• Do you read for fun now? If so, what do you read and why?
• What do you think is the definition of "literature"? 
• What makes a good book?