Journals

Power Point on paragraph structure.

Power Point on emphatic order and attack of an opponent.

Power Point on incorporating quotes.

Power Point on the difference between abstract and concrete detail.

Journal 1

    Writing Prompt: Heidi Walters in "Klamath Doldrums" presents a case that the Klamath River is a "sick" system, in which fish are either being seriously challenged or dying and Native Americans are not able to feed themselves on their traditional diets. What do you think of her argument(s)?  What was the best point she brought up?  What was weakest?  Ultimately, where do you stand on this question and why?  (Find three reasons to develop your argument in emphatic order.)

Journal 2

    Writing Prompt: Hank Sims look at the ways that other communities have dealt with their abandoned rail yards in his article "On Different Tracks."  By doing so, Sims suggests that Eureka is making a mistake in supporting the Arkleys' development.  What do you think of Sims's view.  Use evidence from the article or your knowledge of this issue to support your claims. (Find two opposite to write a comparison/contrast paragraph.)

Journal 3

    Writing Prompt: We've covered a lot of ground in the reading we've done so far, everything from the Klamath River situation to homelessness in Arcata (and quite a number beyond that). What I'd like from you now is a one page write-up of the argument you'd like to make, why you're taking the stance you've chosen, and why you think your opposition is wrong.  This should be a page double-spaced, but you can go a second page (if that's not enough room).

Journal 4

Writing Prompt: Author John Taylor Gatto in "Why Do Bad Schools Cost So Much?" argues that schools essentially waste most of the money they are given and that educating people in the basics of reading, writing, and math is not nearly as difficult as the experts would have us believe.  What do you think of his views and does your experience validate his premises or not? 

Journal 5 

Writing Prompt: Author Peter Sacks makes a case in "Meritocracy's Crooked Yardstick" that standardized testing is a flawed methodology, including issues related to race, gender, disabilities, class, and income; inaccuracy in ability to predict future performance; and deep vs. superficial learning.  After examining his claims, do you agree that standardized testing is problematic?  Or do you think that there is a need to assess students with such tests?

Journal 6: Writing Prompt

Journal 7

Journal 8

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