College essay journals

Journals are a place to write more informally in terms of voice, but still maintain the conventions expected in English. Unless indicated otherwise, journals should be at least one page, double-spaced in length. You are expected to work in class on the journals and then go home and finish them, if necessary. Journals #1-#5 are due Friday, September 28.


Journal #1: What do you believe in? Thinking about the "This I Believe Essays" we read, brainstorm your beliefs. It can be a simple list of many beliefs or  a paragraph about one belief you feel strongly about. Page requirements do not apply to this journal.

Journal #2: What is your legacy? Using "Portraits of Grief" from the New York Times as a model, write a snapshot that someone might use to represent your life. Write in third person. You can make up quotes, imagining what someone might say about you. Try to bring yourself into focus and avoid cliches if you can. It should be between 200-300 words.
Portraits of Grief link: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/us/sept-11-reckoning/portraits-of-grief.html#/portraits-of-grief/0

Journal #3: 
Write down the first 3-5 sentences of the opening of your book. Why do you think the author (and editor) decided on this opening? Be specific in your answer.
In the first 1-2 chapters, what is revealed about the narrator? Use specific evidence to support your ideas. What is the tone of the writing so far? How would you describe the tone of the book so far? Why?

Journal #4:
Try to get underneath one of your beliefs (journal #1) or one of the lines from "I am From" poem.
Write a poem which follows this beginning:
Underneath my shirt is my skin
Underneath my skin is my heart
Under my heart is...
Under that is...

Keep going, trying to excavate what is under the things you hold close to your metaphorical heart. (This shouldn't be an exposition on anatomy!)
See my poem I read aloud in class for ideas: Underneath sample

Journal #5: 
This journal should be two developed analytical paragraphs:


1.
Look at your notes for your memoir/biography/essay collection. Then look back at Journal #3. 
How has the writer developed the narrator or subject since the opening chapters? Has the development happened through scene, through the narrator's reflective voice, through a particular person or challenge? Try to articulate the writer's literary moves here and why you think he/she used them at this stage in the book. (one developed paragraph with a focus)



2. 
Choose one of the following noticings: Again & Again or Shifting Structure and reflect on the question, using evidence from the text. Then, reflect on the questions from the bookmark:
Again & Again: "Why did the writer decide to bring this up again and again?"
Shifting Structure: "How does this change things? Why might this shift be important?"