1. The title and author of the text you have chosen. You may include a full citation if you would like (this is good practice!), but it

will not be required for this assignment.
2. A brief, 1-2 sentence “summary” describing the main point or argument of the text.
3. A critical analysis of the text. This should make up the bulk of your journal.
Your analysis should address some (but not necessarily all) of the following questions:
a. Is the text well-written and effective, and why? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Some criteria to consider and discuss:
i. the author’s language (formality, word choice, repetition, patterns, etc)
ii. the author’s evidence and/or support for his/her opinion (quantity and quality)
iii. the author’s reasoning or logic
iv. the author’s bias and how it affects the text implicitly or explicitly
b. Context: What situation or event is the text responding to? Why did the author feel the need to write this text? What are the

historical, social, cultural, and intellectual factors that influenced the text?
c. Compare/contrast the text to other texts we have read in class or that you have read outside of class. How does this text relate to our

class and the themes/topics we have discussed?
4. A short personal response to the text (3-5 sentences). Some questions to consider (choose one or two per journal):
a. Did the text leave you with any questions; what are they?
b. How did the text make you feel? Did you like or dislike it and why?
c. Did this text convince you, make you change your mind, or inspire you, and why?
d. Are you personally or professionally interested in the content of the text, and how?
e. If this text is related to your major or research, how might it affect your work/studies?