Death of a Salesman journals

Journal #1:
Choose one of the following statements discussed in class about which you feel most strongly. Then, explain your opinion and reasoning as to why you have formed this belief. Give examples to support your thinking. 
 
It's important to be popular to succeed in life.
If you work hard, you will be able to succeed in your career.
The American Dream is attainable for most Americans.
There is more pressure on men to make money in society.
I feel pressure to succeed financially.
Parents should always tell the truth.
If you think someone is suicidal, the best course of action is to confront the person.

Journal #2:
Part of Willy Loman's issues revolve around his nostalgia for the past and the "golden years" of his teenage son Biff. Do you believe that high school years are the "best years of your life"? Why or why not? Why do you think people say that so often? In your opinion, what do you believe your "best" years will be? Why?

Biography journals

Journal #1: Think about the subject of your biography. Describe that "character" in terms of physical appearance and "essence". Try to think of small details that will bring that person into focus. It could be facial expressions, gestures when they are particularly angry, sad or excited. It could be based on a memory too, especially if that person has died. It may include a description of that person in a particular place (a lazy boy recliner or tree stand, the mini-van covered in trash, the back porch of a cottage). Think about the exemplars I read and try to make this person come to life for us. For now, don't worry about weaving in dialogue; that will come later.

Journal #2:

What strikes you about these initial interviews? What can we tell about the subject through them? What surprised you about the interview(s)? What follow up questions can you think to ask which would give more detailed information? (A good beginning to a follow up question: Can you tell me more about...) Can you find a snippet which shows personality? Write the actual section of the transcription here and then your brief reflection about what it could eventually show us.

Journal #3:
What big idea questions do you think will guide your biography? Brainstorm at least three. Perhaps from these questions, what do you see as the "themes" of this person's life so far? Which themes or questions are most interesting to you? Why? Do they interconnect? In what way? What thoughts do you have about the "arc" of your paper? How will you shape the transcriptions you have to make it a story? In other words, how will you avoid just writing the "facts" of your subject's life and instead, transform it into a narrative that paints a complex portrait of the person? What possibilities do you see for structure? This should be a journal where you might not have any definite answers yet, but you are exploring possibilities. One page, at least, double-spaced.

Journal #4:
Like we did with Lebron James, I would like you to notice what the writer is doing in your profile that you chose to read this week. (See weekly blog for choices). In addition to annotating, I would like you to identify the following types of sentences and paste them into your journal:
Part One:
1. A sentence which describes the subject physically.
2. A quote, either from the subject or a secondary source, which tells us something about the subject's character.
3. A sentence that uses facts to add to the profile of the character.
4. A snippet from an anecdote the author has included (a partial excerpt is fine)
5. A reflection from the writer which gives the reader a sense of the writer's point of view or opinion.

Part Two:
How does the writer portray this subject? What are the writer's most effective literary moves from the above five. Choose no more than two and then write an analytical paragraph which explains HOW the writer portrays the subject. Think about the analytical paragraph you wrote on Lebron James and review my comments and then build on the work and thinking you did in that paragraph.




 

The Kite Runner journals

Journal #1:
Write down three things you should apologize for and to whom you should apologize. Then, choose one and write an apology letter (or poem) for something you regret doing. In it, try to think about 3 to 4 factors that made you act the way you did and think about the things in your life at the time which was underlying each factor. In the end, like Espada did, write an imaginary penance. What could be done to "right" the wrong?

Journal #2: When you think of Afghanistan, what images come to mind? How would you describe the country, the people, based on what you know now? What information surprised you about the video? Describe the landscape? How did the information change or add to what you already know about Afghanistan?
Here is the PBS video, in two parts:
Part One
Part Two
In addition, here are two exemplar journals

Journal #3:
Are Baba's expectations for Amir reasonable? Why? Why not? What is his reasoning? How are Baba's expectations shaped by the societal beliefs about becoming a man? How do they compare to those expectations in American society? Be specific with examples when you respond.

How are you shaped by your parents' expectations for you? In what ways do you resist these expectations? In what ways are your parent's expectations shaped by society's beliefs? Give examples.

Journal #4:
Keeping in mind the fact Amir is middle school age, how do you react to his actions in the alley when Hassan is violated? What about his actions following the assault? Do you think most kids in his position would have done the same? Explain.  Thinking honestly, what would you have done in that situation? How would you have addressed Hassan or the situation after the fact?
And for the BIG question, is it possible for Amir to redeem himself? Explain your answer.

Journal #5
Write a letter from the perspective of either Amir or Baba in The Kite Runner. You may decide to whom you would like to address the letter, but have the person be relevant to the novel. In it, address how the character feels about leaving Afghanistan. In addition, write about the character's current state, both in terms of place and state of mind. You could use physical details to express the setting, both current and past. At this point in the novel (through chapter 12), how is this character feeling about himself of the relationships around him? Express those sentiments  as well.

College essay journals

Expectations for journals:
Journals are a place to write a bit more informally about the ideas of a unit or novel. It's a chance to develop your voice. However, these journals are not sloppy. Although you may write down your ideas as fast as you can initially, I expect them to be edited for punctuation, spelling and clarity by the time you turn them in. I give you time in class for these journals because I think this type of writing is an important muscle in your development as a writer.
Here are the specifics:

• You are expected to write during the time allotted, not check your email or surf the internet. If you need more time to finish the journal (the expectation is one page, double-spaced per journal), you need to complete that work at home.  I collect the journals in batches, usually after five. 
• I may check individual journals for completion beforehand.
• The due date for these journals: Friday, September 27. 
• Here is the rubric for these journals: journal rubric

Journal #1:
What is your creed, or belief? Write a poem or a paragraph which clearly states your beliefs. For now, don't worry about offending anyone, just say what you believe as clearly as you are able.
You could use the repetition of "I believe...", as Meg Kearney did in her poem I read in class.

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:
This should include five mini "flash fiction" pieces based on the snippets of songs you heard in class. Each mini entry should have the emotion or mood each piece of music evoked in you (melancholy, calm, jaunty et al) followed by a description of a scene which this music could serve as the appropriate soundtrack.

Journal #4:
Complete each sentence of sensory detail power point.
Then, choose one and write a descriptive paragraph about that moment in your life. Make sure to include both your self at that age AND a reflective voice which gives us what you think about that kid, now that you have had some time to grow up. REMEMBER: Balance the external small details with your reflection and meditations.

Journal #5:
Think about the "Eleven" by Sandra Cisneros. Then write your own reflection (It can be called "Eleven (or Twelve or Fourteen)" Choose a moment when you stepped into adulthood from childhood and focus in on both the small details as well as the feelings you felt in that moment.
I want you to think about language as well as small, sensory  details. You may want to write  this journal in the following format:

Paragraph #1: What they don't understand about _________________ and what they never tell you is that when you are ______________,


Para #2 Scene from this age that says something specific, both about you and about this time period of life for many people.

Para #3: I'm _____________ today. I wish________________
End with image that shows how you felt ("like a runaway balloon, like a tiny o in the sky, so tiny-tiny you have to close your eyes to see it.