Explanation

  • The Reader’s Journal is not like a diary; there’s no “Dear Journal, today the cute guy looked at me”; the Reader’s Journal is simply your response, your opinion. There is no right or wrong if it is supported by evidence and/or example.
  • The Journal will be graded for thoroughness, for how you support your opinion(s) about the story, and for effort, not “right” or “wrong” answers.
  • You may take a free pass on any one Reader Response assignment and it will not affect your grade. Or you may choose to do them all, and I will drop the two lowest grades.
  • Keep in mind that every student is required to read Lahiri (due 2/15) and Bell (due 2/22) since these two are worth double the normal grade.

Sometimes the reading/argument will not be “one sided”: instead, it will raise a question and present different “sides,” showing the strengths and weaknesses of each. The “sides” may be more than two in number. Without choosing one side over the other(s), the writer requires the reader to solve the dilemma presented. In a novel, for instance, two well-intentioned, though flawed, characters can have radically different reactions to the same event and become antagonists. We see both “sides” and are left asking Whoreally is in the right? and What would I do in that situation? Feel free to discuss both sides and then agree or disagree with it.

To respond to the readings appropriately, you will want to follow the Big Eight Thou Shalts, the required MLA format (click here) and the content suggestions below.

The Big Eight Thou Shalts

  • Thou shalt not bore thy reader.
  • Thou shalt respond intelligently and significantly in few words through precise, concise expression; know thou that nonsense, gibberish, inanity, and laziness are mighty errors and illuminateth not the True Path.
  • Thou shalttype the response to each reading on a separate sheet of paper.
  • Thou shalt type/print all documents in blue or black ink in 12 pt. Times New Roman script.
  • Thou shalt adhere to all MLA formatting requirements. Click here.
  • Thou shalt attach all responses in a pocket folder and have the folder in class and conference.
  • Thou shalt be exceedingly neat.
  • Thou shalt find God in the details, so it is said...
  • Words for you to use (Thesaurus)—in other words try to be detailed in your word choices, choose your adjectives and descriptive words carefully, and please use action verbs whenever possible over passive verbs(am, is, was, were, be, been, has, have, had, seems, appears, becomes):

Format Example & Section Topics

J. Doe

Eng. 1102

32 January 2009

Reading Response #1

Bibliographical information in MLA format. Click here

  1. The Big Idea:

In a paragraph, clearly and succinctly focus on: What is the point / What are the points the author attempts to make? What is the theme / What are the themes of the reading? Are there other elements of fiction (setting, plot, point of view, character, symbolism, tone/style) that help reveal or show the theme? Explain. A good place to summarize the plot in 2 to 4 sentences!

  1. Reaction/Opinion:

In a paragraph, focus on: your serious comments, observations, ruminations, speculations; the good, the bad, the ugly; your questions about and problems with the text. Try to focus on both something you liked and something you did not like.

  1. Quote:

In 2 to 3 sentences, select one significant quote from the text and explain its significance and the content it is used. Why do you think it is important? What made you choose this quote? Explain.

  1. Questions or Food for thought:

The questions are NOT the ones in the back of the story, but the questions listed below for each selection.

  • You may use the author’s words in your response, but put them in quotes and indicate the page number of the source according to MLA format. What is MLA format for an internet site? Good question. See bottom of this for more!
  • Please confine your response (section I, II, & III) to one single-spaced page.(This is not strict MLA style, but do it.)Section IV can be done on the back or next page if you run out of room writing I, II, and III. Section IV can be hand written if necessary!
  • You may submit it to my email if you wish or bring it to class the day it is due.
  • Allow me to reiterate: Read. Study. Think. Think some more. Say much in little space. Try to be original. Remember, your words and the MLA format (click here.) you follow are the only things a reader (yours truly) will have to go by in evaluating your work.
  • It is not what you say but how you say it and how you explain it (back it up). Explain WHY!

Questions for each Reader Response (Part IV)

If you need a review of the Elements of Fiction, read LO 9-12.

Margaret Atwood 886: 1) Interpret the last 3 lines. 2) What is Atwood’s theme? 3) Which ending did you like best? Explain why. 4) This is all about endings, but how do you think John and Mary met? You may use your own life experience or someone you know well.

Bram Stoker 1) What do you expect to happen based on the title? Did your expectations come true? 2) What is the theme? 3) How has today’s version of vampires changed from their origins? You may have to look this up on your own or you can use Stoker’s version as a point of comparison if you are familiar with Dracula.

Tim O’Brien 789 1) All this talk about “truth” with a lowercase “t”, but what is the Truth O’Brien is trying to tell/explain? How is this shown in paragraph 106? 2) What is your opinion of this story? What do you think is one of the best war stories/movies? What is the worst? There is no “right” answer, only looking for an explanation. If you don’t know (or don’t care), than imagine what you think would make a ‘good’ war movie and what would make it ‘bad’. 3) What happens to Rat?

Alice Munro 1) Compare and contrast the two men in this story (can do this in list format). 2) Which is the story’s theme? 3) Do you know your postal worker’s name? Describe (or make up) that person. How do they differ from the one in the story?

John Updike 735 1) Why did Sonny quit? Explain. 2) Define epiphany. Where does this occur in the story? 3) What would you do in Sonny’s shoes? 4) What do you imagine happens to Sonny after the story end and in life in general? What makes you think this? 5) Is the character of Sammy flat or round?

Amy Tan 638 1) What is Olivia searching for and what does Kwan hope to find/do? 2) Describe China from the point of view of Olivia. 3) What are Kwan’s 3 wishes? 4) Find and explain an example of metaphor. 5) Find and explain an example of simile.

Amy Tan 651 1) What is the theme? 2) What are the 3 remedies? 3) What does the last metaphor mean? 4) What is the relationship between Lu Ling and Precious Auntie? 5) What character do you most relate to within either of the Amy Tan stories? Explain.

Chekhov 476 1) Define irony. How is this ironic? 2) Compare and contrast the two characters ( you can do this in list format). 3) What is the theme of the story? 4) What would you do with lottery winning? Be specific.

Lahiri 301 1) What is the theme? 2) What game do they play? What, according to Shukumar, the husband, is “the point of this game”? How about for Shoba, the wife? 3) What is the temporary matter in “The Temporary Matter”? 4) What do you imagine will happen to Shoba? Shukumar?

Goldstein TO BE POSTED LATER

Clarke 989 (Extra Credit #1) 1) What is the point of view? 2) Define tone as a literary element. What is the tone? 3) What is the theme? 4) What is the setting? 5) Explain the irony.

Bell 741 1) What is the point of view? 2) What is the theme? 3) Describe the main character, use complete sentences. 4) What do you imagine will happen to the narrator in her future?

King TO BE POSTED LATER AS PART OF THE MIDTERM (basically, you will have to identify each element of fiction in “The Last Rung on the Ladder” if you want to get a jumpstart!)

London Identify each element of fiction in the story: setting, theme, character, point of view, tone, style (imagery, metaphor, simile, and other figurative language), plot and conflict, and symbolism. If you are having trouble identifying these in either the London or Bambara story, you may choose “The Man I Killed” by Tim O’Brien (LO: 799).

Bambara 994Identify each element of fiction in the story: setting, theme, character, point of view, tone, style (imagery, metaphor, simile, and other figurative language), plot and conflict, and symbolism. If you are having trouble identifying these in either the London or Bambara story, you may choose “The Man I Killed” by Tim O’Brien (LO: 799).

______

MLA Information for in-text citation (i.e. to use within a paragraph or essay, not in works cited):

“Here is a quote” (Silverman 2).

According to Silverman, “here is a quote” (2).

Silverman reminds us that “no text like this is ever totally accurate” (qtd. In Henderson 33).{Use if you do not cite original source but you know it is quoted there.}

The World Wide Web is a helpful source for community groups “seeking information on how to protest projects that damage the environment” (“Enviromental Activism”). {Use name of site of the online source if you only know that.}