The Journal
A journal is the most intimate type of "response" that we write. In a journal, we can record our most private, honest thoughts. The type of journal you will be asked to keep is a "REFLECTION JOURNAL". You will be asked to respond to certain prompts based on readings you have done this semester.
Due Monday 15 April.
Directions:
The journal will be 12 pages in length: A cover page, a table of contents, and 10 responses. Number and title your pages. Each response should contain two elements: A written element (respond to the question being asked) and a visual element (draw, cut out, etc. images that reflect the topic). By written, I mean handwritten or typewritten. Bind all 12 pages together simply-- a staple is fine. Using found objects as visual elements is fine-- just make sure the objects aren't bulky or dangerous (like glass or sharp metal). Written responses should be approximately 10 sentences in length (no more than 15) and contain SHORT quotes from your readings.
The cover sheet should include what your favorite reading of the semester has been.
The written responses should contain correctly cited QUOTES from the reading referenced by the topic. For information about how to correctly cite poetry and drama, click on the "literary terms" tab of this website, or consult your grammar book.
Each of the 10 responses is worth 10 points, for a total of 100 points. Deductions may be taken for lack of page numbers, binding, table of contents, etc.
Topic 1: We open up our journal with a discussion of Maggie the Cat. Think about Margaret and whether you feel she is a strong woman or a weak woman. Some may feel she is weak because she "needs" a man, even one who mistreats her. Others may find her strong for not giving up on her man. Give at least 3 examples, reasons, to back up your opinion. If you are a woman, think about if you admire Maggie and wish to be like her; if you are a man, think about if you'd want to be with a woman like her. Your title might be "I'm No Maggie" or something equally creative. Include at least 3 correctly cited quotes (from the book) in your response. Remember to include your visual.
Topic 2: In reading Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Death of a Salesman, you will no doubt see parallels between the characters. Compare Brick and Biff as two sons, brothers, and "lost souls". Give an example of each comparison: What kind of sons are they ( use a specific example from the story and find a quote to support your assessment), brothers (example/quote), and what are their vices (example/quote).
Topic 3: You've heard the saying, "like father, like son". Elaborate on how Brick and Biff are "chips off the old block". In what ways are these sons like their fathers? In addition, think of how alike you are to your father or mother... are you a "chip off the old block"-- or the complete opposite? Elaborate. List at least 2 specific ways and examples for each father/son pair. Include quotes and an illustration on collage of images that reflect your points of comparison.
Topic 4: Big Daddy and Willy Loman are examples of fathers who despite loving their children immensely, have made mistakes along the way. Compare your own father (or primary caregiver) to these men (one or both). Discuss how their love for their sons parallels the love you felt from your father (or caregiver) and how it differs. You may wish you had some of Big Daddy's or Willy's wisdom, or perhaps you had your own dose of wisdom imparted from your father. Or, maybe you didn't have any male caregiver at all. Include examples from the stories in your entry. Use quotes and/or specific examples from the stories.
Topic 5: Rimbaud accomplished more creatively in 20 years than many artists accomplish in a lifetime. While he was not recognized in his time, he went on, in death, to become one of the most read and inspirational poets to ever pick up a pen. What is your favorite Rimbaud poem that we covered in class? Illustrate it in your pictures, and discuss its meaning.
Topic 6: In Rimbaud's "letter of the seer", he writes about what it is like to be a visionary. Choose someone who you feel has been a visionary -- someone who "invented the future", in Rimbaud's words. Perhaps this is a writer, someone who accomplished something great in your field of study, an artist, or even a fictional character. Describe what makes them elevated to visionary status. Use a few quotes from Rimbaud's letter in your response or illustrations.
Topic 7: Walt Whitman was a transcendentalist writer. He believed that all things in nature are interconnected and spiritual. Devote a page in your journal to discussing Whitman, transcendentalism, and his impact on the literary world. What do you think is the value in his ideas? How would the world be different if we took his ideas to heart? Use 3 quotes from the poems we read in class in your tribute.
Topic 8: Carver's poem "A Portrait of My Father..." is poignant to me in that it reminds me of my father. Interview your father or mother and ask him or her what he or she was like at age 22. Ask what his or her goals and dreams were and if they were accomplished. Compare yourself with your father/mother at your age. Use 2-3 quotes from Carver's poem in your illustration or response.
Topic 9: In "Birches", Frost writes of a tree that reminds him of his childhood. What place or thing reminds you of your childhood-- sends you right back to when you were a kid? What is your "birches moment"? Share some of your memories. Use 2-3 quotes from Frost's poem and/or refer to it in your response.
Topic 10: In Ginsberg's "A Supermarket", he alludes to Whitman's sexuality. Both Ginsberg and Whitman stood for freedom and equality. What do you think they would say about modern society and the progress of gay rights? Discuss the symbolism in Ginsberg's poem as an American Dream that is not offered to him. Use 3-4 quotes.
Topic 11-- Extra Credit: Cummings wrote poems that were visual; he didn't use proper syntax or grammar, but he did so purposefully. Choose the poem that you most connected to. Try to compose a creative poem using some of Cummings' techniques. Discuss which poem of his inspired yours in a short response.
In the internal citation, it is proper to cite line numbers; example: "Quote" (line 2).
If it is more than one line, it looks like this: "Quote/Quote" (lines 2-3).
Revised MLA also suggests that you can leave out "line":
In the lines, "the traitor trudges / through the thicket" (2-3), alliteration is used as a harmonizing effect.
Plays: (Act.Scene.Line or page #).
Example: Maggie famously says, "we occupy the same cage" (1.32).
Due Monday 15 April.
Directions:
The journal will be 12 pages in length: A cover page, a table of contents, and 10 responses. Number and title your pages. Each response should contain two elements: A written element (respond to the question being asked) and a visual element (draw, cut out, etc. images that reflect the topic). By written, I mean handwritten or typewritten. Bind all 12 pages together simply-- a staple is fine. Using found objects as visual elements is fine-- just make sure the objects aren't bulky or dangerous (like glass or sharp metal). Written responses should be approximately 10 sentences in length (no more than 15) and contain SHORT quotes from your readings.
The cover sheet should include what your favorite reading of the semester has been.
The written responses should contain correctly cited QUOTES from the reading referenced by the topic. For information about how to correctly cite poetry and drama, click on the "literary terms" tab of this website, or consult your grammar book.
Each of the 10 responses is worth 10 points, for a total of 100 points. Deductions may be taken for lack of page numbers, binding, table of contents, etc.
Topic 1: We open up our journal with a discussion of Maggie the Cat. Think about Margaret and whether you feel she is a strong woman or a weak woman. Some may feel she is weak because she "needs" a man, even one who mistreats her. Others may find her strong for not giving up on her man. Give at least 3 examples, reasons, to back up your opinion. If you are a woman, think about if you admire Maggie and wish to be like her; if you are a man, think about if you'd want to be with a woman like her. Your title might be "I'm No Maggie" or something equally creative. Include at least 3 correctly cited quotes (from the book) in your response. Remember to include your visual.
Topic 2: In reading Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Death of a Salesman, you will no doubt see parallels between the characters. Compare Brick and Biff as two sons, brothers, and "lost souls". Give an example of each comparison: What kind of sons are they ( use a specific example from the story and find a quote to support your assessment), brothers (example/quote), and what are their vices (example/quote).
Topic 3: You've heard the saying, "like father, like son". Elaborate on how Brick and Biff are "chips off the old block". In what ways are these sons like their fathers? In addition, think of how alike you are to your father or mother... are you a "chip off the old block"-- or the complete opposite? Elaborate. List at least 2 specific ways and examples for each father/son pair. Include quotes and an illustration on collage of images that reflect your points of comparison.
Topic 4: Big Daddy and Willy Loman are examples of fathers who despite loving their children immensely, have made mistakes along the way. Compare your own father (or primary caregiver) to these men (one or both). Discuss how their love for their sons parallels the love you felt from your father (or caregiver) and how it differs. You may wish you had some of Big Daddy's or Willy's wisdom, or perhaps you had your own dose of wisdom imparted from your father. Or, maybe you didn't have any male caregiver at all. Include examples from the stories in your entry. Use quotes and/or specific examples from the stories.
Topic 5: Rimbaud accomplished more creatively in 20 years than many artists accomplish in a lifetime. While he was not recognized in his time, he went on, in death, to become one of the most read and inspirational poets to ever pick up a pen. What is your favorite Rimbaud poem that we covered in class? Illustrate it in your pictures, and discuss its meaning.
Topic 6: In Rimbaud's "letter of the seer", he writes about what it is like to be a visionary. Choose someone who you feel has been a visionary -- someone who "invented the future", in Rimbaud's words. Perhaps this is a writer, someone who accomplished something great in your field of study, an artist, or even a fictional character. Describe what makes them elevated to visionary status. Use a few quotes from Rimbaud's letter in your response or illustrations.
Topic 7: Walt Whitman was a transcendentalist writer. He believed that all things in nature are interconnected and spiritual. Devote a page in your journal to discussing Whitman, transcendentalism, and his impact on the literary world. What do you think is the value in his ideas? How would the world be different if we took his ideas to heart? Use 3 quotes from the poems we read in class in your tribute.
Topic 8: Carver's poem "A Portrait of My Father..." is poignant to me in that it reminds me of my father. Interview your father or mother and ask him or her what he or she was like at age 22. Ask what his or her goals and dreams were and if they were accomplished. Compare yourself with your father/mother at your age. Use 2-3 quotes from Carver's poem in your illustration or response.
Topic 9: In "Birches", Frost writes of a tree that reminds him of his childhood. What place or thing reminds you of your childhood-- sends you right back to when you were a kid? What is your "birches moment"? Share some of your memories. Use 2-3 quotes from Frost's poem and/or refer to it in your response.
Topic 10: In Ginsberg's "A Supermarket", he alludes to Whitman's sexuality. Both Ginsberg and Whitman stood for freedom and equality. What do you think they would say about modern society and the progress of gay rights? Discuss the symbolism in Ginsberg's poem as an American Dream that is not offered to him. Use 3-4 quotes.
Topic 11-- Extra Credit: Cummings wrote poems that were visual; he didn't use proper syntax or grammar, but he did so purposefully. Choose the poem that you most connected to. Try to compose a creative poem using some of Cummings' techniques. Discuss which poem of his inspired yours in a short response.
In the internal citation, it is proper to cite line numbers; example: "Quote" (line 2).
If it is more than one line, it looks like this: "Quote/Quote" (lines 2-3).
Revised MLA also suggests that you can leave out "line":
In the lines, "the traitor trudges / through the thicket" (2-3), alliteration is used as a harmonizing effect.
Plays: (Act.Scene.Line or page #).
Example: Maggie famously says, "we occupy the same cage" (1.32).
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