Journal

GUIDELINES FOR Journals (750-1000 words)

1. DON’T SUMMARIZE the article. You can assume I have read it. While starting off your paper with a brief description of the article or the points/arguments made in the article is often an easy-route out of writer’s block, try not to take it. You only have 2 pages (double-spaced maximum), so don’t waste the space telling me what is in the article. Instead, begin right away with your argument, critique or analysis.

2. ASK QUESTIONS. One of the more effective ways of getting at a more analytical level of writing is by asking questions about the article you have been asked to read. Some of these might include:

• –  Why did the author write the article?

• –  Why was s/he arguing what s/he was arguing?

• –  Do you agree with the author? Why or why not?

• –  How might the author respond to your comments? Why?

• –  What were some of the common themes/issues in the article?

• –  How is the article tied into class material or discussions (if at all)?

  3. PICK ONE OR TWO THINGS TO TALK ABOUT. A common mistake often made when writing a reflection paper is an attempt to try and talk about the whole article. This just can’t be done effectively within the space requirements of only 1 or 2 pages. As such, try to pick one point or argument made by the author that you find particularly interesting.