We'll start today by reviewing the journal responses I collected from you last week. Here are a few notes and reminders (I'll add these to the "Journal Responses" document to the right):
- A title is not just the name of the chapter. Maybe it is helpful to think of it as more of a headline. In a newspaper you would not see a headline that simply says "Chance the Rapper" - instead you'd see something like, "Chance the Rapper says Cardi B. and Nicki Minaj's Beef was Fake." That tell you a whole lot more!
- When you use your personal voice, avoid generalizations - statements anyone could make - statements you could write without actually having read the chapters. Here are things to avoid saying:
- "These chapters were interesting" - instead, write about what was interesting to you and why
- "Nothing happens" - that's certainly not true - look at all of those words! What do you really mean by saying that? What does it add to your understanding of the book?
- "It was great" or "it was boring" or any sort of judgment about the book. Why are you writing this? Your goal is to understand and work with the book regardless of your feelings about it. Take the time to explain your opinions!
- Do not just summarize. Name events or thoughts or details and then take the time to explore what they add to the narrative. Do they add to your understanding of a character or a situation?
- Make sure your comments go along with the details you note about the book. Don't just say Fabiola's first day of school must have been tough. Was it? What did you point out about it?
- Use quotations.
- Don't just stick them in without context or explanation.
- Do cite the page number in the correct format.
- Your quotations do not need to be full sentences - key phrases and words are often just as valuable!
Your homework for tonight is to read chapters 17-19 and write a journal response.
