write journal

Journal Instructions

Journals need to be in proper MLA format, typed in 12 pt. Times New Roman font. ABSOLUTELY NO HANDWRITTEN PAPERS will be accepted. No exceptions. Double spaced, indented paragraphs, and one page length. Reading responses are worth 10 points each. Responses should be thoughtful commentary in response to the readings we have read. I want you to focus on the content of what you are saying and not merely try to meet the length requirement by summarizing an article. Summarizing says absolutely nothing new or interesting at all, and shows that you were unable to formulate an opinion or think critically about this topic. In other words, you are not merely summarizing what you have read--I know what the reading is about because I have read it--I am more interested in what YOU THINK about them, so you should be expressing your opinion on the articles and arguments that are being presented to you. Please note that you do not have to like a reading/topic, or even agree with a reading to formulate an opinion; some of the most interesting and thought provoking responses I have read have been from students who have disagreed with the readings. There is no right answer, just offer your perspective and HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. Reading Responses are a type of informal writing where you are practicing expressing an opinion on certain topics as opposed to an essay which will be heavily analytical. Reading Responses also help to prepare you for your essays, and most often students will use them to expand ideas into a full length analytical essay. Most often, response will be geared toward a specific reading or question. Although response papers are informal, and do not require a specific structure, they must be in proper MLA format, meet the length requirement (1 page) and have no proofreading errors in order to receive full credit.