world literature one--week two assignments

Reading journals are a space for you to discuss and focus on one or more of the assigned readings. I assign journals as a way of deepening your thoughts about the texts. Reading journals are also designed as a means by which you can think through some of the ideas of a reading, particularly if it is a challenging one. There are focused approaches that I will assign to help you think your way through various texts in the course. Responses will be 700-800 words. This length is necessary in order to fully explain and develop your ideas of the reading(s). You are responsible for making sure that your responses are turned in—in other words, I won’t come looking for your response if I don’t receive it from you. Turn in your response to the Journal space on Blackboard. 

Approaches: I post directions for each type of focused response journal.  See documents in this folder.

Grading:  90-100: The paper is thoughtful and focused on exploring the ideas of the reading. No (or very minimal) summary. Uses well-chosen citations from the text to back up ideas. The response does not range so far off topic as to not relate to the reading. 70-80: The paper meets word count, but does not fully develop ideas or does not back up ideas with concrete examples from the text. 1-60: The paper does not meet word count, does not provide an adequate reading of the material, or merely gives an account of the plot or ideas in the reading without critical inquiry. 0 points: Not turned in or plagiarized.  What makes for a good response? Your response should try to address not just what the reading is about (plot), but why and how it is working: Why does the author write about this topic? How and why does he/she write about it in they way the do? Overall, I’m looking to see that you have thought critically about the text, and not just have passively read it. Follow assigned directions.  Specific attention to the language and detail of the work is best demonstrated by specific references to details, and short, meaningful quotes. What should I avoid? First of all, a response shouldn’t be a summary of the reading (that is, simply repeating what the piece is about). The point of the responses is not to prove to me that you did the reading, but to (1) show you’ve thought about what you’ve read and (2) to help you come to a deeper understanding of the piece. So, a response needs to be your thoughts about the reading. In addition, you want to have a complete response to the reading—short responses are not acceptable. Next, be sure your response is meaningful and serious, and makes connections between readings. Remember that we will use your questions and responses to facilitate our class discussion—make sure this is something you can and want to read publicly. Know that I don’t expect you to “ have all the answers” about a reading. Indeed, no one (not even the professor) can have “all the answers” because any piece of literature is open to multiple readings. I care less about whether your reading is “right” and more about whether it shows you are reading carefully and thinking about what you read. So, don’t be afraid to answer those questions you have about a reading!