I need to write a 2 page critical reading response journal on slaves in Ancient Athens. I am a Sophomore at a community college. I understand what I am reading, but I cannot put it down on paper! (Partly due to my disability which affects my cognitive abilities.
Just start writing what you think about your reading. Don't worry about the form at first, just write. Later, we'll be glad to help you organize your thoughts into a coherent journal.
Thank you.
I have 4 papers due, a couple are late. The professors are understanding because of my disability, and because I do great in class, but I am feeling overwhelmed. One at a time and just write.
Thanks,
Leslie
You're welcome, Leslie. And good luck! :-)
I'm sorry to hear that you're facing difficulties in expressing your thoughts on paper. Writing can be challenging for anyone, but I'll do my best to guide you through the process step by step.
1. Understand the assignment: Take a moment to review the specific requirements for your critical reading response journal. Make sure you understand what is expected of you in terms of structure, content, and formatting.
2. Read and annotate: Start by reading the material on slaves in Ancient Athens carefully. As you read, underline or highlight key points, interesting perspectives, and any questions that come to mind. Jot down any thoughts or reactions in the margins.
3. Create an outline: Before writing, it can be helpful to create an outline. This will serve as a roadmap for your journal entry and make it easier to organize your thoughts. Divide your two-page response into sections such as introduction, main points, analysis, and conclusion.
4. Write an introduction: Begin your journal with an engaging introduction. Provide a brief overview of the topic and context, setting the stage for your critical analysis. Clearly state your thesis or the main argument you'll be exploring in your response.
5. Summarize the material: In the next section, summarize the key points you've gathered from your reading. This will demonstrate your understanding of the topic. Use your own words and avoid extensive quotations to show your comprehension and interpretation of the material.
6. Analyze and critique: In this section, analyze and critically evaluate the information you've summarized. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments presented in the material. Consider questions like: Are the concepts and evidence presented effectively? Are there any logical fallacies or biases? How does this information relate to other historical contexts or themes?
7. Personal reflections: Share your personal thoughts, reactions, and connections to the material. You can discuss how the topic relates to present-day issues or to other subjects you've studied. Personalizing your response can make it more compelling and unique.
8. Conclusion: Wrap up your journal entry by summarizing your main points and restating your thesis. Offer a final reflection or a thought-provoking question related to the topic.
9. Edit and proofread: Once you've written your response, take some time to edit and proofread for any grammatical or structural errors. Read it aloud or ask someone to review it for you, as a fresh set of eyes can catch mistakes you might have missed.
Remember, don't be too hard on yourself and take breaks when needed. Writing is a skill that can be improved over time with practice and perseverance. Good luck with your critical reading response journal, and I hope these steps help you express your thoughts more effectively!