What is a journal "response" and what is its function?-A journal response is an essay which argues, explicates, or analyzes a poem, short story, essay, or any piece of literature/medium that we read in class or as a part of homework assignments.
Criteria for organization:
- Journal essays must be structured as essays; therefore, all papers must have:
o A thesis statement (one sentence found at the end of the introduction of the essay)
o Organized body paragraphs which each present and discuss individual points
o Clear ideas which you argue
o Support from the text and your analysis/explication of the literature using direct quotations, cited correctly using MLA format
o Active, direct language and verbs
- Journal essays must NOT include the following:
o Summary: JOURNAL ESSAYS ARE NOT SUMMARIES.
o Pronouns: Pronouns limit your clarity and quality of writing.
o Passive voice
Essay length: two pages, double spaced