LAMC Poetrys Power to Connect Journal

Hi

The journals are simply a summary (the main points) and an analysis (your thoughts/opinion) of ALL the reading assigned for the week that journal is assigned. Additionally, there is a prompt that you will respond to on top of/in addition to the summary/analysis. The Journal can always be found in the module for the week it is due. Journal #1 can be found in the week 1 module. The modules are found by clicking the “home” tab on the left-hand side of canvas.

So, under this week, “week 1” you will see these readings: “Literature – Journal 1 Reading; Francis Scott Key – “The Star-Spangled Banner” (1814); Walt Whitman – “I Hear America Singing” (1860); Carl Sandburg – “I am the People, the Mob” (1916); Claude McKay – “America” (1921); and Langston Hughes – “I, Too” (1926).”

That means you have a total of 6 things to summarize/analyze, in no less than 500 words (you may write as much as you want, there is no maximum, only a minimum!). Those 6 things for this week are:

From Canvas (PDFs):

1. Literature – Journal 1 Reading;
2. Francis Scott Key – “The Star-Spangled Banner” (1814);
3. Walt Whitman – “I Hear America Singing” (1860);
4. Carl Sandburg – “I am the People, the Mob” (1916);
5. Claude McKay – “America” (1921);
6. Langston Hughes – “I, Too” (1926).

This is everything posted for week 1. You will need to click on and look at everything posted for every module, and repeat this process whenever a journal is due.

So, how to format?

Well, there are many ways, but here is one way that might work.

Simply label/title each reading, as well as when you are summarizing and when you are analyzing, as such:

Literature – Journal 1 Reading:

Summary –

Analysis –

Francis Scott Key – “The Star-Spangled Banner” (1814):

Summary –

Analysis –

Walt Whitman – “I Hear America Singing” (1860):

Summary –

Analysis –

Carl Sandburg – “I am the People, the Mob” (1916):

Summary –

Analysis –

Claude McKay – “America” (1921):

Summary –

Analysis –

Langston Hughes – “I, Too” (1926):

Summary –

Analysis –

Prompt:

Your response to the prompt

Now you just fill in each one for every reading, a summary, and an analysis.

Note that some summaries and analyses are going to be shorter or longer than others, depending mostly on the length of the reading, but also the “depth” of it.

The journal needs to be 500 words total, not 500 words for each reading.

I hope this clears everything up! I will let you know if you need to think more critically about your journals/rethink them in general, as I read through them.

• Step One: Summary and Analysis
  • Summarize and analyze ALL of the reading (and/or videos) for the week. The required readings and/or viewings are posted in the weekly modules (our home page) under “read the following for Journal #X.” If you do not summarize and analyze the required reading, your journal grade will be reduced.
  • • Summaries are in your own words, and focus on the main points or ideas of the reading/video/text. Keep them brief and concise!
    • Analysis is your opinion! What do you think, and why. Remember, however, an opinion backed up by evidence is the only kind worth having.
  • You must read and reply to at least 2 peers, per journal.
  • Journals must be a minimum of 500 words. There is no word limit on peer replies, but you must show that you have engaged with your peers’ responses and not simply said “I agree” or “Great post!” A substantial reply could be anywhere between 50 and 150 words. You are not required, but you are encouraged to continue replying to one another throughout the week. Let’s have some great conversations!
  • Ad Hominem attacks will not be tolerated. If you disagree with someone, attack the argument, not the person.

  Step Two: The Journal Prompt

  • Each journal will include a “prompt” in addition to your summary/analysis. This prompt is usually something extra like a video, a poem, or some other prompt to get you thinking about the topic/writing in general.

  Journal #1 Prompt: Watch the following video about poetry, and then answer the following questions:

Are you a fan of poetry? Why? If not, why not? Did this video change how you think about poetry? Why or why not? Stephen says of finding meaning in poetry, that “…usually, you can’t know. You never know. You can’t be sure, and that’s okay. All we can do we is listen to poems and look at poems and guess and see if they can bring us what we need, and if you’re wrong about some part of a poem, nothing bad will happen.” How do you feel about the idea that we may never know the meaning of a poem? Does this “subjectivity” take away or give poetry more power? Do you write poetry? If you would like, feel free to include a poem of your own! Perhaps, try to write a poem inspired by the poems we have read so far.

Stephen Burt: Why people need poetryLinks to an external site.