Readings and Assignments

Journal Responses: For each class meeting, students will compose a one-page response in MLA
format to each of the assigned essays for the week. Please number and date your journal entries
accordingly. For each of the ten (10) required weekly responses, students may develop any of the
following rhetorical elements in their response:

 What is the major claim, or thesis, of the text?

 What interests or values may have contributed to the writer developing his or her perspective(s)?
 What interests, experiences, or values may have influenced your understanding(s) of the author’s
perspective(s) or point of view?
 Does the author make any assumptions or generalizations?
 What kinds of evidence does the writer present? Is the evidence used logically and effectively?
Does the author substantiate the evidence? Does the author consider contrasting points of view (the
pro and con or ‘two sides of the coin’)?
 How does the author make his or her argument more receptive to your sensibilities or perspective?
 How does the author establish his or her credibility?

Responses must be in Modern Languages Association (MLA) format and evidence sound
organization, development, and care in preparation. The journal responses are not intended to be
essays; rather, each should be a thoughtful and fairly brief examination of an article or essay that
was particularly interesting for you. Students should bring their responses in hard copy to class.

Readings and assignments are to be completed for the date indicated:

Monday January 27: Read: “College is a Waste of Time and Money” (Bird),

Monday, February 3: Read: “Learning to Read” (Douglass)

Tuesday, February 18: Read: “Hidden Intellectualism” (Graff); and “Blue Collar Brilliance” (Rose).

Monday, February 24: Read: “The Sanctuary of School” (Barry);

On Monday February 24th I read The Sanctuary of School by Barry which an essay written with the aim of
identifying the school institution as a necessary and fundamental element of a society. The author argues
that the school is a place in society where, children from battered and unstable families causing them
harm and making them weary, find refuge. Barry in the texts finds it difficult to understand the reasons
why the government finds it necessary to make cuts in the school budget (Barry, 71). The social
challenges facing the society are the main elements that gave the author an interest in writing the story.
She narrates the experiences in a first person aspect, to make emphasis on her observation, she states that
if her world was perfect and he parents would have been combing every street and bush in search of her,
however, since they are poor and have other responsibilities her desire is unattained (415).
The author’s application of different elements of figurative language to drive her point home.
Metaphorical language is present in the text, for instance, Barry says that she and her siblings were
children with the sound turned off (415) to indicate that they could not speak out their challenges. These
elements among others enabled me to understand her perspective and even relate to the experiences of her
young and pathetic childhood.
In presenting the arguments within the text the author does so effectively and logically. It is evident that
the situation at home gives her an opportunity to find sanctuary at her school. The evidence presented in
the text is based on personal experiences, as well as from the statistical point of view, For instance, she
notes that the cost of public schools would decline annually. Barry narrates her childhood experiences and
the manner in which they shaped her future. Engaging with her person life and using figurative language
make her arguments receptive and more relatable. I found the text quite emotional and at the same time
inspiring to the society, and also providing a life lesson, in which education is important. Also, the role of
parents in ensuring their children receive an education is addressed.

Citation: Barry, Lynda. “The Sanctuary of School.” 1992. The Norton Reader: An Anthology of
Nonfiction. Ed. Melissa A. Goldthwaite et al. 14th ed. New York: Norton,
2016. 414–17. Print.

Monday, March 2: Read: “Is Coding the New Literacy?” (Raja);

On Monday, March 2nd I read Tasneem Raja’s Is Coding the New Literacy? In the article, Raja explores
the importance of coding and technology in the daily lives of humanity. The author evaluates the coding
language with regards to the role it plays in facilitating the growth of the current society and the impact
that it has ensuring the achievement of a simplified and advanced community. Raja makes an emphasis
that everyone should learn the application of coding, through which people can utilize logical thinking in
solving problems. The author provides the case of John Snow who through coding was able to help in
preventing the spread of cholera. Raja provides other examples to present her evidence on the elements
and potentials that coding provides in the society, for instance in education, where learners can
understand the use of binary coding (Raja, 610). Through the use of Margolis programs among others are
a step towards addressing the idea of computational literacy, however, they require a fundamental
approach in enabling their application and growth. Raja, is able to provide logical and effective evidence
in supporting her arguments across the text. The article entails various examples that identify the positive
effect that computing could have in the society if it was applied, also, she provides comparisons and
contrasts with regards to the response that people have on the context of facilitating coding education.
Raja, notes that certain individuals would avoid learning the aspects of computing by arguing that it
seems an intimidating and boring process (608). Several elements of the article influenced my
understanding of the author’s point of view, such as her language which utilizes terms that I relate to and
understand. Furthermore, she uses metaphorical language and examples to aid in supporting her
arguments. Also, Raja appeals to the reader’s personal opinion through different questions posed in the
text. By noting valid and relatable examples and the adequate and effective application of computing
terms, the author is able to establish her credibility. It is evident that article is aimed at targeting an
audience comprising of teachers, parents and students interested in learning the aspects of computing,
especially coding.
Citation: Raja, Tasneem. “Is Coding the New Literacy?” 2014. The Norton Reader: An
Anthology of Nonfiction. Ed. Melissa A. Goldthwaite et al. 14th ed. New York:
Norton, 2016. 600–16. Print.

Monday, March 16: Read: “Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter” (Bissell);
On Monday March 16th I read Tom Bissell’s Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter. In the article Bissell
claims the focus of the writing is based on one man’s perspectives on the feelings associated to gaming
and an examination of reasons why video games matter and also why they increasingly do not matter. In
the texts, the author starts by providing an analytical background to the events that would lead to his
honesty on the concept of gaming, however, his prelude follows a criticism of video games through
sharing a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages associated to gaming. When reading the text, I
was able to determine several arguments and among them is that video games need to quit their attempts
at improving or following their previous old sequels. Bissell states that video game designers need to
address meaning in their creations. By evaluating the interests and dangers of gaming through the use of a
descriptive and impassioned tone, I was able to relate and engage with the author. The use and mastery of
literary devices in the language used are a major influencer in gaining my understanding of the arguments
that the author leans towards. Further, evaluating a topic that any young person can relate to plays a
fundamentally role in building my interests. While at some point in the text, the author seems to discuss
the disadvantages associated with video gaming, such as the introduction, where he analyzes a description
of his future explanation on his whereabouts as American history was in the making, he emerges with a
different perception delved towards idealizing gaming as an art.
The author holds unquestionable knowledge on the context of gaming, giving his argument a sense of
credibility. Also, there are elements of generalizations in the text, for instance Bissell’s assumption that
millions of Americans would be watching their television during Barack Obama’s acceptance speech.
Furthermore, through an evaluation of historical background, the author is able to achieve their credibility
in narrating their perspective in the article. I was able to easily engage with the text, due to Bissell’s
mastery of language and its application in simplicity, ensuring that his audience gets a grasp of his
arguments.
Citation: Bissell, Tom. “Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter.” 2010. The Norton Reader: An
Anthology of Nonfiction. Ed. Melissa A. Goldthwaite et al. 14th ed. New York:
Norton, 2016. 214–22. Print.

Monday, March 23 : Read: “Facebook Multiplies Genders but Offers Users the Same Three
Tired Pronouns” (Baron),

Monday, March 30: Read “When Doctors Make Mistakes” (Gawanda).

Monday, April 6: Read: “The Case for Animal Rights” (Regan);

Monday April 13: Read: “A Modest Proposal” (Swift);