Writer’s Notebook



Journal Writing

What is it?

Writing is essential to this course and will reinforce your reading, thinking, and analytical skills. Overall we will complete three different types of writing:

• Writing to understand: Exploratory writing activities that enable you to discover what you think in the process of reading. Such assignments could include annotation, free-writing, keeping a reading journal, and response/reaction papers.

• Writing to explain: Expository, analytical essays in which you will draw upon textual details to develop an extended explanation/interpretation of the meanings of literary texts.

• Writing to evaluate: Textual analysis to produce argumentative essays in which you will draw upon textual details to make and explain judgments about a work’s artistry and quality, and it’s social and cultural values.

Classroom Journal Entries

At times, you will write in your notebook in class; it is my way of giving you more writing experiences than I could possibly grade, opportunities to experiment without the fear of a low grade, the chance to write about your own special interests, and a friendly audience with which to share your writings.

Graded Journal Entries

I usually assign several Journal Entries each marking with a given topic, but please feel free to write more if you want more writing practice.

➢ Each assigned Journal Entry MUST be typed using the MLA format: MLA heading, 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1 inch margins, double-spaced only, and a title.

➢ Please refer to the handout “Writing Pitfalls” as a checklist before handing in any work. I expect you to proof-read your writing carefully. If the frequency of common errors is too high, I’ll simply stop reading and hand back your work to be done correctly.

➢ Assigned Journal Entries are given 7 points for content, development, and mechanics, 1 point for the MLA format, 1 point for Header/Footer, 1 point for a title-for a total of 10 points per entry. (MLA templates are on my eBoard.)

What does “content and development mean?” It means that every piece of writing should be accurate, clear, and interesting. I am more concerned with a complete and thoughtful exploration of the topic than in how long an entry “should be.” This part of your grade will be holistic. That means I’m interested in the overall worth of the paper. I don’t "take off" for each specific error, but any imperfection in an essay interferes with the total effect. An interesting paper pockmarked with errors is injured writing. Conversely, an essay loaded with obvious ideas is dull even when accurately spelled, neatly printed, and clearly expressed. You should try to make each essay brilliant – elegant, witty, and graceful. That’s impossible, of course, but we can imagine perfection, and it ought to be our goal.

Every time you hand in a paper and your name is on the top of the page, you are certifying that the work is yours and yours alone as well as new (as opposed to work done in a previous class). If you borrow material, I expect you to use appropriate citations and include a Works Cited page or a citation. (When in doubt-cite your sources.) I encourage you to review the Commack Academic Mission Statement found in your handbook and on the CHS website. The copying or use of another student’s work as your own will not be accepted.

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