FOCUS JOURNAL

Subject: English Literature
you will be required to complete 5 written focus journals on assigned readings of your choice, to include: 1 poem, 1 short story, 2 essays, and 1 film. All focus journals, save the film response, MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA BLACKBOARD .
Each entry should be 1-3 pages. You wil be graded on thoughtfulness, grammar, attention to detail (i.e., following the assignment) and overall thoroughness.

See syllabus for more details.

FOCUS JOURNAL

Name/section: _____________________________

Selection, title/author/p.#: _____________________________

Date: _______________

I. Understanding: Complete this sentence: In this selection, the author wishes the reader to believe or feel that __________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

II. Analyzing: Comment on how the author writes. You can mention sentence structure/

patterns, word choice/diction, image selection; also, use of appeals to

pathos, logos, ethos; use and types of evidence, stated or unstated warrants or assumptions.

III. Evaluating and Synthesizing: Offer your reaction to this reading selection. Include any personal connections or related experiences. What questions would you like to ask the author? Finally, what did the piece leave you thinking or feeling? To what degree did the author persuade you to accept his or her perspective? What questions remain unanswered about the ideas or issues addressed?

YOU MUST USE this BOOK ( READING LITERATURE AND WRITING ARGUMENT, 4th edition.
MISSY JAMES
ALAN P. MERICKEL