1550 Assignments
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| Reading and Journal Assignments | Paper Assignments |
| How to Do the Homework Journals |
Reading and Journal Assignments
Click here to access the reading and journal assignments.
How To Do the Homework Journals
NOTE: failure to follow the specific directions will result in a loss of points.
Option 1: Handwritten
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Use regular lined paper (wide or college ruled). |
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Do not use paper ripped out of a spiral notebook, which results in torn, ragged edges. If you must rip the paper out of a spiral notebook, trim the edges neatly. If you turn in an assignment with torn, ragged edges, it will be returned to you so that you may trim the excess slop off of your paper. |
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Only write on one side of the paper. |
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Write legibly. |
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You may use either pen or pencil, but try to avoid pencils with soft lead that smears easily or pens with ink that bleeds and blurs easily. |
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Make sure that your name is on all of the pages. |
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Staple or paperclip the pages together. |
Option 2: Typed
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Follow the MLA format, just as you do for papers. |
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Use regular, white, 8 1/2 x 11" typing paper (not erasable paper, which smears easily). |
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Make sure that your name is in the upper left-hand corner. |
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Use a header in the upper right-hand corner (your last name and the page number) for journals longer than one page. |
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Double-space throughout the assignment. |
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Use Times New Roman 12-point type. |
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Always run spell-check and proofread before you print it out. |
Does neatness count?
Yes, it does. If you turn in a sloppy, illegible journal where I have to keep guessing and wondering about which word you wrote on the page, you will lose points.
Always keep in mind that neatness and aesthetics are important visual cues to readers. They signify that you have taken the assignment and its presentation seriously--or that you haven't. They also show readers how you feel about them: if you present them with sloppy work, then obviously you don't think much of the assignment or of your audience, which will naturally influence their attitude, at least to a certain degree, towards you and your writing. (The same goes for subject matter, tone, and word choice, by the way.)
What is the exact "right" way to do the homework assignments?
When faced with any assignment in this class, try to utilize your critical thinking skills to explore as many possibilities for completing it as you can. You may choose to be creative and to take some risks--within reason, of course--to expand your range of thinking as well as your writing skills. The best thing to do is to read the assignment carefully (perhaps more than once) and to write on something that stands out about the essays/etc. What interested you? What struck you as significant? What connections did you make to the ideas discussed by the author? Did you like the pieces or not? Why or why not? These are some questions to consider as you try to explain what you thought about the reading assignment as well as why you thought it.
Do not merely summarize what was in the essays; the whole class has read them and should be familiar with them. Explain what you thought about them, what they reminded you of, what they made you think of, what you thought was interesting, significant, et cetera.
These are intended to be learning exercises, not "right or wrong" exercises, so don't be afraid to try something new and inventive with the assignments or to interpret the given instructions in a unique way. Remember that for the majority of the assignments, I do not have a preconceived notion of what your answers will be; rather, I am looking to you to provide unique insights and interesting ideas and interpretations so we can discuss them in class and learn from each other as well as broaden our horizons where argument, critical thinking, and different points of view are concerned.
Never limit yourself or your thinking processes. Lastly, always strive to be happy with the product of your writing--after all, if you don't like it and find it interesting and worth reading, then why should your audience? Think about it!
NOTE: The fact that I provide you with a chance to explore and expand your writing skills and techniques by not being overly specific as to the journal assignments is in no way, shape, or form an excuse to slap a few words or a couple of sentences as an answer or journal. Nor should you expect this type of journal to receive passing credit. Use your common sense to write a journal that deserves college credit. If you are not sure what this entails, review this section on "How to Do Homework Journals," consult the comments I have written on previous journals, and/or come and speak to me about it.
How long should my answers be?
The length will vary, but keep in mind that journals that consist of only a few sentences are not acceptable. Journals are meant to be explorations in writing, not something that you just slap on a page for a grade.
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If specific questions are given, answer them as thoroughly as possible. This could take a paragraph or two, depending upon the depth and length of the question. Above all, you should be satisfied with the length and quality of the answer. If you are not or if you are not sure, try looking at the assignment again and revising your answers. |
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If questions are given for consideration, then you may address any or all of the questions--it's up to you. These questions provide a starting point and direction, especially if you're experiencing writer's block. You may also use any of the questions following the essays in your journal, especially if you have writer's block. |
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Overall, the average length of a journal is usually 1 - 3 pages. If specific questions from the text are given, the journals may not be this long, although they might be: it depends on how much depth you give to your answers. If a longer journal is expected, it will be noted in the assignment. |
*To download a copy of this assignment, click here.
*For more information, go to Writing Argument.
Paper #2:
Click here to access the file containing the second paper assignment.
Click here to access the file containing the third paper assignment.