Sherry LAE 4335

LAE 4335 Reading Response Assignment

Hand in: 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14
Goals:

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To practice writing to learn: writing as inquiry into self, texts, the world
To bring your personal experiences into relationship with course readings and research

Assignment:
Each week, I will ask you to compose a 1-3 page response to texts (some of which I will
provide and others which you will collect or generate from your own experiences/research).
This response is pass/fail (complete/incomplete): to pass you must attempt it by the due
date and follow the guidelines. The most important thing here is to write about what is
important to you.

Procedure:

1. Read I expect you to read the texts I supply each week and will grade you
accordingly; however, I also recognize that you have busy liveshere are some
tips for reading course texts.
a. What is emphasized? Most texts teach us how to read for whats
important: for example, you probably went immediately to the sections
of this handout labeled Procedure and Evaluation, or maybe you
noticed the bold headings. When you read course texts, look for what
stands out: titles, headings, special formatting, etc.
b. How do the examples compare to my own experience? I usually ask you to bring the
readings into relationship with experiences from your life or your research. Look for
how new concepts in research or practitioner texts are applied to classroom
examples; in a research text, this usually happens in a section called Findings or
Results (or somewhere in the second half of an article or book). Then think about
how those examples compare to your own experiences or the data you will analyze
how are they similar or different? How might those similarities/differences matter?
2. Write After choosing and reading, you will write a 1-3 page response, post it to
CANVAS, and bring it to class in preparation for discussion. When you write, consider:
a. What is my purpose? Please dont summarize the readings except as they pertain to
the argument/interpretation you make.
b. How can I apply concepts from the readings? The important thing
here is not to write beautiful prose or agree with any one
perspectiveits writing to learn and to use new ideas to make new
meaning. Take it to the text!
c. What do I get out of this? The most important thing is that you write
something that matters to you, something that helps you learn more
about your own writing/teaching!

Evaluation:

This assignment is pass/fail. (complete/incomplete): to pass you must attempt it by the due
date and follow the guidelines. The most important thing here is to write about what is
important to you.