Journal Review

For this week, rather than turn in one of your own creative pieces I’d like you to review someone else’s creative work.  I’d like you to choose one of our journals or an online “ezine” to review.  You can conduct a search for ezines or browse through Your Mothers, there are a couple reviews of ezines in there if you want to explore that option.  You’ll start by reviewing a specific piece from the journal – that is, one poem, one short story, one review, etc.  Make sure you include the author’s name as well as the name of the journal in your review.  If you’re looking at an e-zine please include the http address. 

In your review you’ll discuss your opinion of the piece as well as the literary element that sticks out to you.  These are the things you’ve been adding to your study guide.  But you’re not limited to what we’ve discussed in class.  If you know something we haven’t talked about and that’s what you notice about the piece you review feel free to discuss it.  As you read, pay attention to how the author crafts their writing.  Do they use line breaks to emphasize certain meaning?  Does a tight rhyme scheme add or take away from the writing?  Make sure you talk about why and how the technique enhances or takes away from the overall impression or meaning of the piece.  

Here’s one way you might organize your thinking. 

Paragraph 1 – say what you’ll say
∑ Today I read … by …  This piece is about …   It uses … literary technique.  I like/dislike it because…

Paragraph 2 – say what the poem/story is about
∑ The piece  is about …
o (give 3 sentences that tell what the piece is about).

Paragraph 3 – say what the literary technique is
∑ The literary technique the author used was…
o (give 3 sentences that talk about the literary technique).

Paragraph 4 – discuss what that technique did or didn’t do for the overall impression or meaning of the piece
∑ I like/dislike the piece because (give 3 sentences that explain why you liked or didn’t like the technique used).

Paragraph 5 – say what you said in different words
∑ I read… It was about… It used the literary technique… I liked/dislike it because…

The review assignment will be due when we return from break.  It is worth 30 points – at least one letter grade.  Do yourself a favor – get it done this week:)
See you tomorrow – happy research and happy thinking:)