Journal 8: Advice

People seek advice from friends, role models, teachers, and families. Americans often write in to newspaper advice columns like Dear Abby. I think some people love to give advice - maybe even a little too much!

Prompt: What is the best advice you were ever given? Did you follow this advice? What happened? Alternatively, what is the best advice you have ever given?

Due: Wednesday, March 20th. 10PM

Note: You'll notice we use words like seek, give, and follow with advice. Try to use these correctly in your journal.

Go Ask Alice,

Journal 7: Optimistic Quote

Often in college (and on the TOEFL and GMAT!) we have to respond to quotes. We will have a few journal entries where you can react to these. Here's the first one:

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

Prompt: What does this quote mean? Do you agree with it? How does it apply to your life? Are you generally optimistic or pessimistic? Give an example.

Due Wednesday, March 13th. 10PM.
Note: A famous example of pessimism and optimism is the question, "Is the glass half empty or half full?"

"The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole",

Journal 6: Life's Soundtrack

Just like a movie our life has a soundtrack. We can't help but associate songs we hear with the memories we make. The song above, "Such Great Heights", is a song which I will always associate with my relationship with my wife, Lisa. Many of our friends have told us that the lyrics to this song really describe our relationship. (I also like this acoustic version, which is very pretty.)

Prompt: What is your favorite song (or one of your most favorite)? Or, what song is very significant to you? When did you first hear the song, and how has it described or affected your life?

Due: Wednesday, March 6th 10PM.

Rock out!

Journal 5: Birds of a Feather

Some people say "birds of a feather flock together", and others say "opposites attract". When you look at your friends, which seems to be true for you?

Prompt: Compare your best friend (or friends) with yourself. How are you alike or different? You can compare any areas of your life - hobbies, beliefs, likes & dislikes, etc. If you're different, how can you be friends? Be sure to use the organization and unity strategies we've studied for Compare/Contrast essays.

Due Wednesday, February 27th by 10:00 PM

Note: "Birds of a feather flock together" is a very old saying which means people who are alike will hang out together and probably be close friends.


Your very different friend,

Journal 4: Weather

It is often said that California has no weather. What people mean is that California does not have a lot of variety in its seasons. Actually, many people think we are lucky to live in Southern California, where the weather is usually mild and pleasant. Some people don't like sunny weather all of the time though. Personally, I really like hazy, foggy weather or the hours just before a storm.

Prompt: What is your favorite kind of weather? Why? How often can you enjoy this type of weather in your home country? Describe, describe, DESCRIBE!

Due: Wednesday, February 20th by 10PM.

Note: Here are some words used to describe the weather.

Journal 3: Your (Lunar) New Year Resolution

The New Year is here! In America it is customary that in January everyone decide on a New Year's Resolution - that is, something they hope to accomplish or a change they wish to make. Common resolutions include losing weight and quitting smoking. You might notice that there are many weight-loss commercials at this time.

Prompt: What is your New Year's Resolution? Is there something you hope to change about yourself? Is there something you hope to accomplish this year? Why did you choose this resolution? What will you do to be true to your resolution? Will it be difficult?

Due: Monday, February 11th

Resolving to be your favorite teacher this year,

Journal 2: Job Skills

All of our experiences in life help to improve us in many different ways. The abilities we gain through life that help us professionally are called job skills.

Prompt: Read the essay Job Skills in your BluePrints book on pages 10-11. Next, answer these questions on your blog:

1. What is the thesis statement of this essay?
2. What are the topic sentences for each supporting paragraph?
3. What do you believe are the most important skills described in this essay? Why? 
4. Which skills do you think you have and why?

Due: Monday, Feb 4 by 10PM.