SOUTH FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
COURSE SYLLABUS
Fall 2012
ENC 1102—Freshman English II—3 credit hours*
*This credit is what you would receive at SFCC,
not the credit accorded at SHS.
Instructor: Cheryl A. Rosenbaum
Phone: 471-5500 ext. 277
E-mail: rosenbac@highlands.k12.fl.us
Website: http://highmail.highlands.k12.fl.us/~rosenbac/
Welcome to ENC 1102! In this course the focus will shift from nonfiction to literature; we
will also continue to improve our writing for the world beyond college.
Catalog Description:
This class is designed to develop your ability to read literature critically and to improve your
ability to write effectively. Emphasis is on style; exposure to various literary genres; and
planning, writing, and documenting short research papers and critical essays. Prerequisite:
Successful completion of ENC 1101 with a grade of C or better. Gordon Rule: requires
college level writing in multiple assignments. (TR)
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of ENC 1101 or a passing score of a 3 or higher on the exam for
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition.
Course Materials:
Kennedy, X.J., and Dana Gioia. Literature an Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and
Writing. 11th ed. New York: Longman, 2010. Print.
Kirszner, Laurie, and Stephen Mandell. The Wadsworth Handbook. 8th ed. Boston: Thomson
Wadsworth, 2008. Print.
Instructional Methods:
Lecture; small group discussion and oral report; large group discussion; online research;
library research;Turnitin.com.
Course Resources:
You may find the URLs listed here useful for this course. Their relevance and utility will be
discussed during the introduction/orientation session.
 Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com) to help proof your papers for use of sources
BEFORE you hand them in to the instructor.
 Purdue Online Writing Lab (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/) to brush up on grammar,
punctuation, and MLA documentation format and style.


Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum Project. (Longview Community College,
Missouri). (http://mcckc.edu/longview/ctac/) for further explanation on logical
fallacies.
Mission Critical: The Critical Thinking Home Page. (San Jose State University).
(http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/itl/graphics/main.html) for further explanation on logical
fallacies.
Class Attendance and Tardies:
Dual Enrollment students are expected to abide by their district’s Code of Conduct.
Course Requirements:
Students will complete a variety of practice writing both in and out of class to meet the
Gordon Rule requirement: paragraphs, free writing, journal writing, and rough drafts. In
addition, students will submit at least four 500-word essays for formal grading by the
instructor per semester. A 1,200-1,500 word research paper will also be required of all
students as the accountability part of the research component of this course per semester.
Final drafts of essays must meet all MLA writing guidelines both for format and
documentation, as applicable to the essay type.
DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENTS
JOURNALS:
These must be a minimum of 250-350 words per week. These papers will be written using
personal experience. No sources or bibliography will be required; however, you may at
times find it helpful to do some research to acquaint you better with your topic. If such is
the case, remember to use proper documentation whenever you paraphrase, summarize, or
directly quote outside sources. See your handout on Journals for more specific information.
MIDTERM AND FINAL EXAMINATIONS:
The midterm and final exams will be a combination of objective/subjective items and may
include: multiple choice, T & F, completion, short answer, and essay. More specific
information will be given closer to the exam date. You should be aware that your final
exam with your responses will be submitted to the dean at SFCC to ensure the
validity of this dual enrollment class.
RESEARCH PAPERS:
A research paper must be a minimum of 1,200 word, typed, double-spaced, using MLA
format. We will complete a research paper, in addition to other essays, each semester.
Topics will be selected by the students but must be approved by the instructor. It is
strongly encouraged that the student selects a topic in which he or she is interested. The
paper will include a minimum of seven (7) sources and a bibliography page. Because this
paper will require much structural and grammatical revision, it is imperative that the
student complete the rough draft of this project in a timely manner.
RESEARCH PAPER PRESENTATIONS:
Upon completion of the research paper, students will work collaboratively to present an
abstract of their research papers. To this end, students are encouraged to use a variety of
media, such as Power Point, web pages, and other visual aids. Students must participate in
this activity to receive full credit for the research paper.
IN-CLASS WRITING:
These in-class exercises will be graded largely upon the student’s understanding of the
concept being emphasized at the time.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
1. You will be expected to be WELL PREPARED FOR AND TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE in class
sessions. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND SOMETHING, ASK! It is preferable that you speak
up and are wrong than for you not to speak at all. You will need to have all reading and
work done at the assigned time or else. Since so much of what we learn in here will be
through group discussion, peer editing, and other such cooperative learning activities, this is
the year to come out of your shell!
2. Late work is not accepted.
3. Make-up work is your responsibility. When you return from an EXCUSED absence look
over my agendas for the days you missed. Then speak to me about making up the work. If
you do not speak to me, I will simply assume you want a 0 for the assignment we did the
day you were absent. I will not remind you if you need to make-up a test or quiz. You
need to get your make-up work into me in a reasonable amount of time. For example, if
you were absent on Monday, get your make-up assignment on Tuesday, and turn it in on
Wednesday.
4. If a student knows ahead of time that he or she will be absent on a day when
an assignment is due (for example, a pre-arranged absence or field trip), it is the
student’s responsibility to turn in the assignment prior to the due date, or send
the assignment to the teacher with another student or a parent. Any work may be
taken to the school’s office and put in the teacher’s mailbox.
If a student misses class the day an assignment is due but is on campus at any
time during that day (for example, missing part of the day due to a half-day field
trip), the student is responsible for bringing the assignment to the teacher or
getting it to the teacher. Failure to do so will result in a grade of 0.
GRADING:
All grades are done on a point system. In-class assignments and some homework
assignments are given a check plus (10 points), a check (8 points), check minus (5 points),
or 0; if it is to be worth more I will warn you ahead of time. Your weekly journal
assignment is worth 10 points. Group activities are usually worth 25 points. Quizzes are
worth 50 points (KEEP IN MIND THAT POP QUIZZES ARE ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY). A
participation grade is worth 100 points per nine weeks. Tests are worth 100 points or more.
Notebooks are worth a minimum of 110 points each time they are collected. In-class
essays and short essays are worth 75 points. Longer essays and research papers will be
worth 150-200 points.
NOTEBOOKS:
You are required to have a notebook that you bring to class every day. Blank paper must
be kept in the notebook for journal entries, lecture notes, vocabulary and writing
assignments. All other class handouts must be kept in the notebook. I will collect these
notebooks at the end of each nine weeks. You will need a one-inch three ring binder. The
notebook will be collected as followed:
Notebook for 1st Nine Weeks- due October 18 (for __ day) or October 19 (for __ day)
Notebook for 2nd Nine Weeks- due January 10 (for __ day) or January 11 (for __ day)
Requirements for the Notebook:
1. Notebook must be a folder with three brackets.
2. The notebook must contain notebook paper divided by tabs into these sections:
A) HANDOUTS- Your guidebook should be in the handouts section. All other
handouts should be kept here as well.
B) JOURNALS- Your journals are to be done weekly, submitted to
www.turnitin.com, and completed as described on your journal handout. You
only need to include your journal checklist—not your printed out journals
since they are already on www.turnitin.com.
C) ASSIGNMENTS--includes homework, vocabulary, in-class work, and
essays.
D) TESTS AND QUIZZES
3. The front of the notebook must be clearly marked in the upper right hand corner
with the following:
A) Name
B) Subject
C) Period
FORMATTING OF PAPERS (including in-class writings, assignments, formal essays,
and journals)
All papers turned in must have the following in the upper left hand corner of the paper:
A) Your Name*
B) Ms. Rosenbaum
C) Class Name- Period
D) Date Due
All papers must have a title for the assignment centered on the page. The title should not
be underlined, in bold, or in italics. You should have a creative, appropriate, and specific
title for each assignment.
Any typed assignment for this class should be done in Times New Roman 12 point font, be
double spaced, have one inch margins around the entire page, and have a heading in the
upper right hand corner with your last name and page number of the assignment.
All formal essays, journals, and many other assignments will be turned into
www.turnitin.com. You will do peer editing of essays using turnitin. The discussion board
feature of turnitin will also be used for certain situations. Finally, all papers will be graded
directly on turnitin using its GradeMark feature. Unless I tell you otherwise, you will not
need to print off a copy of any assignment turned in to turnitin. I will warn you ahead of
time what assignments should be turned into www.turnitin.com. (Note: Make sure
when you submit an assignment to www.turnitin.com that you choose UPLOAD
DOCUMENT rather than copy and paste. If you upload your document, it will
appear EXACTLY the same as it did on your computer. When you copy and paste,
it changes the font to a notepad document, and this will lower your grade for not
having your paper properly formatted.)
You need to sign-up for the class by going to www.turnitin.com and entering the following:
Class id: 5220384
Password: awesome
*Note: Please note this class id is different from the one that you turned your summer
reading assignment into, so be sure to add yourself to this class as soon as possible. Also
please note that since you are allowed to be anonymous as you peer edit a classmate’s
essay on turnitin, I will allow you to make up a pseudonym when you submit a draft of an
essay that will be peer edited on www.turnitin.com. I will warn you ahead of time if what
you submit will be peer edited.
RULES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Follow directions first time given.
Be prepared: in seat, on time, with materials.
Show respect for the rights, property, and feelings of others.
Stay on task.
Speak only at appropriate times.
NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCE
1st time—Warning
2nd time--One detention
3rd time--Two detentions and parental contact
4th time--Referral to office
Severe Clause--Immediate Referral to office
REWARDS
Verbal praise
Written praise
Stickers
GRADING SCALE
90-100=A
80-89= B
70-79= C
60-69= D
0-59=
F
ASSISTANCE
If at any time you need help, please feel free to make an appointment to speak with me or
e-mail me.
Academic Ethics Policy:
The faculty of SFCC is committed to a policy of honesty in academic affairs. Conduct for
which you may be subject to administrative and/or disciplinary penalties, up to and
including suspension or expulsion, includes:
1. Dishonesty consisting of cheating of any kind with respect to examinations, course
assignments, or illegal possession of examination papers. If you help another to cheat, you
will be subject to the same penalties as the student assisted.
2. Plagiarism consisting of the deliberate use and appropriation of another’s work without
indentifying the source and the passing off such work as your own. If you fail to give full
credit for ideas or materials taken from another, you have plagiarized.
Consequences of cheating or plagiarism:
The instructor may take academic action consistent with college policy that may range from
loss of credit for a specific assignment, examination, or project to removal from the course
with a grade of “F.” Your instructor and you should seek to resolve the matter to your
mutual satisfaction. Failing this, your instructor or you may request action from the
appropriate chair, dean/director, and the Vice President for Educational and Student
Services (see Grade Appeals in College Catalog) who adjudicates on the basis of college
policy.
D2L (Desire to Learn):
SFCC uses D2L as its course management software. Each class has a page on D2L. A grade
book will be maintained for your class on D2L. It is easy to contact the instructor and fellow
students through D2L. If you are not already aware of and comfortable with all of the
features of D2L or if you do not have a login name and password, please log on to
www.southflorida.edu and click on the Panther Den link. Then choose the “New user” link.
This page will connect you to the self-guided tutorials. At the end of the tutorials, you will
be directed to call the eLearning Help Desk and receive your login information. Be aware
that D2L stores access records, quiz scores, e-mail postings, discussion postings, and chat
room conversations. It is very important to log off D2L when you are finished; if you don’t,
a person using the computer after you will have access to you course materials, your e-mail
account, and your confidential record. Protect your password. (Please keep in mind that in a
dual enrollment class grades will be available on Pinnacle, plus information on classroom
assignments and due dates is accessible on your teacher’s website.)
Students with Disabilities:
In keeping with the College’s open door philosophy and in accordance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, SFCC provides
reasonable accommodations to educational and training opportunities for otherwise qualified
individuals with documented disabilities. It is the responsibility of the student or prospective
student to self-identify with the Disabilities Specialist and provide appropriate
documentation. Individuals who chose not to self-identify may be ineligible for services
and/or accommodations. Services include but are not limited to: admission and registration
assistance, orientation, note taking, tutoring, test accommodations, readers, audio books,
course substitutions and assistive technology. For more information, contact the Disabilities
Specialist through: the Web site, www.southflorida.edu; e-mail at
disabilities.specialist@southflorida.edu; voice/TDD (863)453-661 ext. 7331; or in person at
the Catherine P. Cornelius Student Services Complex, Suite B152, Highlands Campus.
College-Wide Outcomes:
This course supports the following College-wide Student Learning Outcomes (SLO-CoWs):
1 Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate (read, write, speak, and listen)
effectively.
1 Students will demonstrate the ability to reflect, analyze, synthesize and apply
knowledge.
4 Students will demonstrate the ability to find, evaluate, organize, and use information.
5 Prepare students to participate actively as informed and responsible citizens in social,
cultural, global and environmental matters.
Course Specific Outcomes:
The students will be able to accomplish the following:
1
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4
5
6
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8
9
10
11
12
13
Think and read critically through analysis, evaluation, and persuasion;
Write critical analyses, evaluations, and arguments;
Do close readings of short stories, poetry, plays, and literary criticism;
Use and demonstrate knowledge of literary terms and how they relate to the
nature of fiction, poetry, and drama;
Examine, discuss, and write about social issues reflected in literary works;
Examine, discuss, and write about gender perspectives reflected in literary
works;
Examine, discuss, and write about ethnicity reflected in literary works;
Demonstrate critical and expressive thinking/writing in a structured journal;
Demonstrate research skills through written exercises and library research;
Demonstrate analytical, persuasive and research documentation skills through an
analytical/persuasive research paper;
Participate in small-group discussion, oral reports, literary work analyses, student
essay evaluation, and outside readings on gender, ethnicity, and social issues;
Demonstrate objective and critical knowledge on quizzes and examinations:
Relate class materials and activities to other courses and the everyday world
through discussion, audio-visual media, and printed media.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Week One(Aug 21-24):
-Take a quiz on Brave New World and The Last Lecture (first day of class)
-Work on Short Essay #1 on Brave New World: Comparison/Contrast Fiction
Analysis, which will be due to www.turnitin.com by _________
-Complete cooperative learning activities on Brave New World and The Last Lecture
-Go over concepts in The Wadsworth Handbook you missed due to the fact we cover this in
ENC 1101.
Week Two (Aug 27-31):
-Work on and share Brave New World Group Activity
-Complete peer editing and final draft of Brave New World essay
Week Three (Sept 4-7):
-Test on The Last Lecture and Brave New World
-Begin unit on The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century: 1660–1800
A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary- Do group assignment where you come up with your
own dictionary definitions
-Watch satirical video from The Onion and Stephen Colbert
-Bring Literature by X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia to class as instructed by your professor
(Occasionally you will need to bring this book to class more often when we read longer
works; you will be warned ahead of time when to bring this book.)
-Read Chapter 42 “Writing About a Story” in Literature; do partner activity
-Write Short Essay #2: Fiction analysis/satiric essay in a style similar to A Modest
Proposal
-Read Chapter 41 “Writing about Literature” in Literature; do group activity; self-analysis
activity
Week Four (Sept 10-14):
-Literature by Kennedy and Gioia Fiction Selections from Chapters 110/Discussion/Assignment
-A Clean Well-Lighted Place by Ernest Hemingway
-A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner- Write a story with your own creepy ending
and share with two classmates
-A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings-Write your own illustrated fable in
a group.
-A Good Man is Hard to Find-Read critics’ analyses of it; write three quotes from
story and two from critics, plus a paragraph of how you would analyze it.
Week Five (Sept 17-21):
-Literature by Kennedy and Gioia Poetry Selections from Chapters 11-14/
Discussion/Assignment
-A Good Man is Hard to Find-Read critics’ analyses of it; write three quotes from
story and two from critics, plus a paragraph of how you would analyze it.
-The Yellow Wallpaper-Pick out quotes to analyze and create your own yellow
wallpaper in a group.
-The Rich Brother
-Write Short Essay #3: Short Story Analysis of one of the stories from Literature;
choose any topic on p. 1935 of your Literature book (entitled “Topics for Writing Brief
Papers”)
Week Six (Sept. 24-28):
-Test on Short Stories/Restoration Unit (NOTE: All tests will cover materials from both the
British literature covered and the selections from Literature by Kennedy and Gioia)
-Finish peer editing and final draft of Short Story Analysis
-Begin Poetry Unit, by reading:
-Those Winter Sundays- Write a poem about a childhood memory involving a relative
-Ask Me
-Doo Wop- Write a serious or comic poem which contains no more than two words
per line
-White Lies (p. 651)
-Monologue for an Onion (p. 654)
-Comment (p. 663)
-Making it in poetry (p. 663)
-Dulce et Decorum Est (p. 667)
-Dog Haiku (p.681)-Write a haiku
-Silence (p. 676)-Write a poem told largely in quotations
-Grass p. 681
-Jabberwocky (p. 693)-Write a poem filled with nonsense words
Week Seven (Oct 1-5):
-Literature by Kennedy and Gioia Poetry Selections from Chapters 19-22/
Discussion/Assignment
-Richard Cory (p. 754)
-Ballad of Birmingham (p. 759)
-The Times They Are a-Changin (p. 764)
-next to of course america i (p. 703)- Write a poem with no capitalization or
punctuation
-Assign and work on Song Presentation
-Share key poems from The Romantic Period: 1798–1832
-Poetry of William Blake- Write a poem on an injustice or emotion.
-Poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge The Rime of the Ancient Mariner- Watch DVD
presentation of it; Write a poem of no more than four stanzas that alternates a
rhyme in the second and fourth line.
-Poetry of George Gordon, Lord Byron- Write a poem about someone’s (who is
known to you personally) inner or outer beauty.
Week Eight (Oct 9-12):
-Assign Read like a Rock Star British Literature book (you will choose a book from the list in
your Guidebook on p. ____); we will do Read like a Rock Star from November 12-December
14 school wide, but we will adjust these dates for us in order to complete our British
Literature book by the time we need to start your literary analysis research paper on it.
-Share Song Presentations
-Literature by Kennedy and Gioia Poetry Selections from Chapters 23-25/
Discussion/Assignment
-Driving to Town Late to Mail a Letter (p. 721)
-Birthday Cake (p. 721)- Write a poem about a favorite birthday memory that uses
imagery or another figure of speech
-Metaphors (p. 735)
-Turtles (p. 745)
-Recital (p. 774)
-Go over Chapter 43 on p. 1937-1959; look over poems on p. 635-766 in Literature to see
what would be good to write a poem analysis on; you may also choose poems on p. 721763 of your Elements of Literature book
-Assign and write Short Essay #4: Poem Analysis of poem/s in the Romantic Period
or from Kennedy and Gioia’s Literature
-Literature by Kennedy and Gioia Poetry Selections from Chapters 26-29/
Discussion/Assignment
The Hippopotamus (p. 780)
We Real Cool (p. 793)- Find a piece of art or professional photograph that parallels
the events in this poem
Do not go gentle into that good night (p. 824)
Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird (p. 838)
Swan and Shadow (p. 843)
Concrete Cat (p. 845)
First Love: A Quiz (p. 847)- Write one of the following poems after reading all of
these: A) a poem that is thirteen ways of looking at… B) a concrete poem or C) a
poem in the form of a quiz
Snow White (p. 877)
Cinderella (p. 879)
How Do I Hate You? Let Me Count the Ways (p. 913)- Write a poem on a fairy tale
character of a parody poem
Week Nine (Oct 15-19)
-Complete peer editing on Poem Analysis
-Assign and present Poetry Alive!
-Notebook is due October 18 or October 19 (depending if you have class A or B day);
favorite journal is due to discussion board of www.turnitin.com on October 19
-Literature by Kennedy and Gioia Poetry Selections from Chapters 26-29/
Discussion/Assignment
The Hippopotamus (p. 780)
We Real Cool (p. 793)
Do not go gentle into that good night (p. 824)
Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird (p. 838)
Swan and Shadow (p. 843)
Concrete Cat (p. 845)
First Love: A Quiz (p. 847)- Write one of the following poems after reading all of
these: A) a poem that is thirteen ways of looking at… B) a concrete poem or C) a
poem in the form of a quiz
Snow White (p. 877)
Cinderella (p. 879)
How Do I Hate You? Let Me Count the Ways (p. 913)- Write a poem on a fairy tale
character of a parody poem
Fourth Nine Weeks Focus:
Week One (Oct 22-26):
-Finish Poetry Unit and take test
-Read Chapter 44 “Writing about a Play” in Literature; do partner activity
- Read The Sound of a Voice- Pay attention as we read to the symbolism of sound, flowers
and the themes of isolation and fear of falling in love
-Read Samuel Beckett’s Come and Go in Elements of Literature (p. 1342)- Write your own
Theatre of the Absurd play—on your own or with a group—and perform it in front of the
class
-Read Harold Pinter’s That’s All (p. 1350)- Write a brief dialogue between two people
discussing a third person; try to shape all three characters through what is said and unsaid;
use the line “That’s all” in your dialogue; perform it when finished.
Week Two (Oct 29-Nov 2):
-Complete Scarevenger Hunt
-Work on projects/assignments and complete quiz for Read like a Rock Star book
-Begin reading The Importance of Being Earnest
-Assign Literary Analysis Research Paper and pass out brainstorming chart on it;
do research
-Work on Annotated Works Cited for Literary Analysis Research Paper
-Complete annotation of literary criticisms and put onto brainstorming chart; complete
paper proposal on literary analysis paper
-Read Chapter 45 “Writing a Research Paper” in Literature; do partner activity
Week Three (Nov 5-9):
-Finish reading The Importance of Being Earnest and take test
-Do a comic sketch on The Importance of Being Earnest in a group
-Assign and finish Short Essay #5: Drama Analysis of The Importance of Being
Earnest
Week Four (Nov 12-16):
-Work on rough draft of literary analysis research paper
Week Five (Nov 26-30):
-Literature by Kennedy and Gioia Selection- Begin Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie
-Complete peer editing and conference with teacher on rough draft of literary analysis
research paper
Week Six (Dec 3-7):
-Finish reading The Glass Menagerie
-Assign Then and Now Powerpoint (a picture of you “then” as a young child; a picture of you
now detailing your plans for college and after)
-Work on performance of a scene and Chinese Lantern Activity for The Glass Menagerie
-Work on final draft and Powerpoint Presentation for Literary Analysis- final draft due at end
of week
Week Seven (Dec 10-14):
-Presentations of Literary Analysis Research Paper
-Socratic Seminar on The Glass Menagerie
Week Eight (Dec 17-19):
-Then and Now Powerpoint is Shared
-Work on Final Exam Review Guide
Week Nine (January 8-11):
-Notebook is due January 10 or 11 (depending if you have class A or B day); favorite
journal is due to www.turnitin.com discussion board on January 11
-Go over some EXTREME spoiler alerts on Macbeth and The Canterbury Tales, which are
works of British literature that every person should read—but which (sadly) you will not
have time to read in class due to the fact we cover this in ENC 1101.
Week Ten (Jan 14-17)
-Final Exams
NOTE: THIS OUTLINE DOES NOT REFLECT THE ADDITIONAL READINGS, ESSAYS, TESTS,
OR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS THAT MIGHT BE ADDED DURING THE COURSE OF THE
YEAR.
Dual Enrollment English II
Journal Assignment
Rosenbaum
Directions: For every Friday by 11:59 pm in this class, you will submit between 250-350
words to www.turnitin.com toward your semester long journal assignment. You may
choose between one to three topics per week, but you should not repeat any topic during
the school year. You need to have a heading on your paper listing the journal #, then write
the number of the question, then your entry. (Please see my journal template on my
website if you need assistance setting this up.) You may choose to work ahead (since all the
journals for the year are already listed on www.turnitin.com), but you must make sure you
submit your journal every Friday for the correct date (regardless if you were absent or
not on Friday—this is a college class!) in order to get your 10 points credit per week. I will
read these journal entries directly off of www.turnitin.com and give a grade accordingly,
which will be calculated as part of your notebook grade. These journals will be a way for you
to creatively express yourself and practice writing fluency. It should be an enjoyable
experience (except for those of you who choose to start writing your weekly journal at
11:54 pm the night it is due).
The individual journals will be due for this semester as followed:
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
JOURNAL
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1 due August 24
2 due August 31
3 due September 7
4 due September 14
5 due September 21
6 due September 28
7 due October 5
8 due October 12
9 due October 19
10 due October 26
11 due November 2
12 due November 9
13 due November 16
14 due November 30
15 due December 7
16 due December 14
17 due January 11
Your journal topics are as followed:
1. Describe your first brush with danger.
2. Tell the story of a job interview that goes badly. (The more your character wants the
job, the better the story will be.)
3. According to officials at Graceland, Elvis Presley receives an estimated one hundred
valentines every year. Write a story about one.
4. Write an argument between two characters that begins in the middle of the argument.
5. Imagine that you could wake up tomorrow in someone else’s body. Whose would it be?
How would your life change? What are some of the first things you’d do?
6. Write about a near-death experience.
7. Write a story about the 1980s (or any other time period in the past). Use as many
period elements as you can.
8. Since 1980, more than fifty forgeries have been discovered at the Metropolitan Museum
of Art. Write about one of them.
9. Write about the biggest secret you failed to keep.
10. Write a story set in the kitchen of a fast-food restaurant.
11. According to the National Coffee Association, there are more than 300,000 Americans
who drink more than ten cups of coffee a day. Describe one of them.
12. Chronicle the longest amount of time you’ve ever gone without sleeping.
13. Write about your first artistic expression.
14. Describe the most disappointing gift you have ever received. What did the gift reveal
about the giver?
15. Describe the worst driver you have ever known.
16. Think of a person you don’t like, and describe what you might say if you had to share
an elevator ride together with this person. Then describe what happens when the elevator
breaks down. For six hours.
17. Tell a story that begins with the discovery of a ransom note.
18. Write a story in the form of a political apology.
19. Describe the worst time you ever put your foot in your mouth.
20. Seventeen percent of Americans claim they have seen a ghost. Describe one of their
encounter, or one of your own.
21. Describe the youngest baby you ever felt, and how he or she felt in your arms.
22. Write about a time you’ve been lost.
23. Write about a beauty pageant without using stereotypes.
24. Describe the worst date of your life.
25. By the early 1990s more than 30,000 Americans held reservations from Pan-Am
airlines for a trip to the moon. Write about one of these people.
26. Set a small mirror beside your desk and write about your reflection. Describe how you
might be perceived by a stranger passing you on the street—what assumptions might he or
she make about you, based on your appearance?
27. Describe the largest crowd you’ve ever been a part of.
28. Write a story that begins with the words, “Why didn’t you call me?”
29. Tell a story in the form of a prayer.
30. More than 10 million prescription medications are filled incorrectly every year. Write
about one of them.
31. If you were going to be marooned on a tropical island with one person, who would you
want it to be? Write scenes that take place five hours after the shipwreck, five weeks after
the shipwreck, and five years after the shipwreck.
32. Describe the last time you were physically involved in a fight.
33. Begin a story with a character who has lost something important to them.
34. Invent a character who has won 76 million dollars in the Florida State Lottery. What is
the first thing he or she buys? How much is given to charity? How long before an exboyfriend or ex-girlfriend re-enters their lives?
35. Describe the most boring event you have ever suffered through.
36. Write from the point-of-view of someone who committed murder today. Do not
mention the murder.
37. Write about the first time you defied your parents.
38. Tell the story of how your parents became engaged.
39. Write about your worst habit.
40. Create a character who is trying to gain access to a club or organization.
41. Create a character who is falsely accused of a crime.
42. Update a classic fairy tale for readers of the 21st century.
43. Write about the black sheep in your family. What is your opinion of him or her?
44. How well do you respond to criticism?
45. Describe your most embarrassing experience.
46. Trace the journey of a five dollar bill through the lives of five different owners. What
was exchanged during the transactions? How much (or how little) did these transactions
mean to each of the people involved?
47. Tell the story about “the one who got away.”
48. Write about a physical trait you would have loved to have changed in middle school.
49. According to the Florida Department of Corrections, more than 100 people have
registered on a waiting list to see an execution. Write about one of them.
50. Describe a time when you pretended to be someone you are not.
51. Describe the biggest risk you have ever taken.
52. Write a story that begins, “The last time I saw my mother was fifteen years ago…”
53. Write a story that begins, “Three days passed before they found the body…”
54. Write about the worst driving you’ve ever done.
55. Thirty-four percent of new American school teachers say they plan to quit their
profession within their first five years. Write about one of them.
56. Invent a character that must choose between the lesser of two evils.
57. Write a love story in MySpace. Have the story consist entirely of alternating messages.
58. Describe a time you’ve settled an argument between two friends.
59. Write about a library or bookstore that has a special significance to you. What authors
did you discover there?
60. Invent a character whose life is governed by Murphy’s Law (that is, anything that can
go wrong will go wrong).
61. Write a story about a phone call that begins at three o’clock in the morning?
62. Write about the worst lie you ever told someone? Did they find out? What was the
result?
63. Write from the point of view of a character on his or her deathbed.
64. Write about your favorite childhood toy.
65. Write about a character that is granted three wishes.
66. Write about a victim of “year-end fiscal cutbacks and corporate downsizing.”
67. Write about a wedding in which the bride or groom changes their mind.
68. Tell a story in the form of a love letter.
69. Tell a story that centers around a recipe.
70. Describe an encounter with a celebrity.
71. Write about the most serious injury or illness you have ever faced.
72. Invent a character that sees a phone number on the wall of a bathroom. Describe what
happens when he or she dials the number.
73. Describe the most meaningful gift you have ever received. What does it reveal about
your relationship to the giver?
74. Describe your favorite experience with Mother Nature.
75. Describe the secret life of a school bus driver.
76. More than 25,000 Americans seek help each year with gambling addiction. Write about
one of them.
77. Describe your favorite family holiday, and explain what made it so special for you.
78. Describe a bad hair day.
79. According to the Gallup Organization, more than one million American dogs have been
named as beneficiaries in a will. Write about one of their owners.
80. Write about your earliest childhood memory.
81. There are approximately 3500 members of the International Flat Earth Society (people
who insist the Earth is flat). Write about one of them.
82. Write about the most important event you have ever been late to.
83. Tell the story behind your nickname or the most unusual nickname you have ever
heard.
84. Write about your greatest childhood fear.
85. If you could script the plot for the dream you will have tonight, what would it be?
86. Write a dialogue between a radio talk show host and a troubled caller.
87. Every year, more than four hundred Americans are injured or killed by lightning. Write
about one of them.
88. Write about a childhood experience that made you cry.
89. Write about the most difficult phone call you’ve ever had to make.
90. Write about a dream or goal you failed to achieve. What went wrong? How did this
experience change you?
91. Check the horoscope in today’s newspaper, and use any of the twelve forecasts as a
basis for a character.
92. Describe the unhealthiest meal you’ve ever eaten, and how you felt after eating it.
93. Write a description of your dream automobile.
94. Write a story that begins with an explosion.
95. If you won the Texas lottery, what would you do?
96. Why do you think some people don't exercise their right to vote?
97. What is your favorite Disney character or movie and why is it your favorite?
98. My full name and how it was decided on
99. I am the one who....
100. First Grade Memories
101. In the left corner, behind the filing cabinet.....
102. The Holiday I Wish We Had
103. Summer Memories
104. My Dad
105. My Mom
106. My Grandma
107. My Grandpa
108. If I was President of the United States...
109. Bugs
110. In 20 Years I'd Like to Be....
111. It was so funny when...
112. Good things about me
113. When I get to college, I will....
114. The best book I ever read...
115. I'm thankful for...
116. My hero
117. I wish I was there when....
118. What My Best Friend and I Have in Common
119. Something people usually don't notice about me is...
120. You are a small animal at a historical event. Tell what is happening.
121. Write an alphabet journal entry 26 sentences long, with each sentence starting with
the alphabet letter as it appears in sequence.
122. Make a list of all the words that are related to or describe heat. Write a story about
Florida in the summer using these words.
123. Write about places you have never been to, but want to go to.
124. Write about people you don't know, but would like to know.
125. Write about things you have never done, but would like to do (conduct an orchestra,
etc.)
126. What if our school classes only went until noon each day?
127. I Did Something Really Nice
128. Observe at least 5 things you see happen on your way home from school. Write about
them.
129. What does a classroom sound like?
130. What is a typical day in the school cafeteria?
131. Write about a perfect day.
132. What I Would Change About My School
133. What I Would Change About My World
134. Where Would I Go in a Time Machine
135. Give advice to a new student who will start school at SHS next year
136. I'll never forget the day ______(teacher's name) did __________
137. Some of the richest times in your life can come from your quiet thinking and/or
praying alone time. Discuss these times in your life.
138. Review the last movie you saw.
139. Describe the BEST ice cream and tell why you feel that way
140. What is an experience you would hate to repeat?
141. What is the ideal age to be? Why?
142. Do you accept yourself as you are, or would you like to be someone else?
143. Answer this question," Have I in any way done something that has hurt my parents?"
144. "How I think will determine how I live." Do you agree or disagree? Explain
145. Describe a summer thunderstorm
146. Describe the plight of an animal caught in a forest fire.
147. Tell abut a ride on the most exciting amusement park ride you have ever ridden.
148. Write about an Old West shoot-out in the streets of a western town
149. How might an astronaut feel that discovers that he/she will have to return to earth
early because of a rocket malfunction?
150. Describe the actions of a person who has just hit his or her thumb with a hammer
151. Describe the feeling of being chased in a dream
152. Tell about the moment when a person realizes that he or she has forgotten to do a
major assignment that is due today.
153. Describe the actions of an athlete in the final moments of a close contest when he or
she makes a winning (or losing) shot, play, move, or effort.
154. It isn't fair....
155. Write about some compliments people have given you
156. Write about some compliments you have given others recently.
157. Create a menu from a fictitious restaurant and describe the entrees.
158. The dispute over comic books. Are they good or bad?
159. Should grocery stores continue to throw away good food each day?
160. Do you get enough sleep? How or why not?
161. A horrible babysitting experience was when…
162. What one non-living item would you take from your house if it caught on fire?
163. You’ve landed on another planet. Tell the inhabitants all about earth.
164. If you were your teacher, how would you treat you?
165. What if your teacher fell asleep in class.
166. How would you think your parents’ view would change if they walked in your shoes for
a week?
167. List 25 uses for a toothbrush.
168. Assume you are the last person on Earth and you have been granted one wish. What
would it be?
169. Imagine a world that contained no written language. What would be different?
170. If you could step back in time to re-live one day, what would you do differently?
171. Imagine you are 25 years old. How will you describe yourself as you are today?
172. Imagine you had a hundred dollars, but you couldn't keep it. You had to give it away
to a person or charity. Who would you give it to? What would you want them to do with it?
173. Describe one time when you were brave.
174. If you could cook any meal for your family, what would you cook? Describe the meal
and tell how you would make it.
175. Describe your favorite character from a book, a movie, or television.
176. If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be? Describe the pet and how
you would take care of it.
177. Do you have any brothers or sisters? If you do, tell what they're like. If not, tell
whether or not you would like to have a brother or sister.
178. If you could have lunch with any famous person who would it be? What would you talk
about with this person?
179. Describe the oldest person you know.
180. Describe the youngest person you know.
181. Do you think a monkey would make a good pet? Explain why or why not.
182. How old were you four years ago? Describe some things you can do now that you
could not do then.
183. Imagine you worked at a football stadium. What would your job be? (examples:
quarterback, cheerleader, coach, referee, ticket seller) Describe what you would do while
you were on the job.
184. What do you like best about your home?
185. If you could be on any game show, what would it be? Describe what happens when
you're on the show.
186. Describe your favorite season (fall, spring, summer, or winter). Tell what kinds of
things you like to do during that season.
187. If you could spend an afternoon with one member of your extended family, who would
it be? Tell why you chose this person and tell what you do together.
188. Which superpower would you most like to have-- invisibility, super strength, or the
ability to fly? Describe what kids of things you would do with your powers.
189. Think of a time when you've won something. Tell what you won and how you won it.
190. Invent a new kind of sandwich. Describe what is on it and how you would make it.
191. Describe one thing you're really good at.
192. Imagine you were twenty feet tall. Describe what life would be like.
193. Take out a photo album or magazine. Find the 14th photo (counting any way you like)
and write the story of that photo.
194. Find a poem that you like. Make the last line of that poem the first line of your poem.
195. Make a list of 40 things that have happened to you this month.
196. Write a story about someone you know who is weird.
197. Where do you go when you want to get away from the pressures of life?
198. Rewrite “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” from the perspective of one of the dwarfs.
199. Imagine your life is now a book. Write a blurb for the back cover.
200. Write about the easiest decision you ever had to make.
201. Write an excuse for not working today.
202. Use the following words in a story: hypocrite, cookie jar, telephone, city,
onomatopoeia
203. List fifteen simple pleasures. Pick one and write about it.
204. Begin a story with “I wish someone had told me…”
205. List 50 things you’d never do.
206. Write a pure dialogue story. No narration, no description, just dialogue.
207. Write a story 200 years from now about a day in the life of a window washer.
208. Write a feature story about the following: Giant Flies Invade Norway!
209. Write a story about a beggar who loves to hear himself sing.
Bibliography:
Topics 1-94 are from The Writer’s Block by Jason Rehkulak
Topics 95-161 are from http://www.angelfire.com/ok/freshenglish/250journaltopics.html
Topics 162-171 are from
http://712educators.about.com/cs/writingresources/l/bljrnlspec.htm
Topics 172-192 are from http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/journal-prompts.html
Topics 192-209 are from http://www.creativewritingprompts.com/
DISCLAIMER: Course policies, procedures, and schedule may be changed at any time at
the discretion of the instructor.