Reflective Journals

In preparation for your essay composition, you will create several reflective pieces about the items you are either reading or viewing.

DIRECTIONS for each Journal:

• Create eight entries (40 points; 5 points for each entry): Each entry should be roughly one paragraph (3-5 sentences) long.  The entry discusses why and how you plan to use the materials for the intended essay assignment (e.g., Journal #1 for Essay One; Journal #2 for Essay Two, Journal #3 for Essay Three). Be sure to provide complete bibliographic information for each entry!
  • TWO ENTRIES: One for each source that is being used that from the Readily Available Materials of any Case Study or Supplemental Materials (at least two sources, total).
  • TWO ENTRIES: One for each source that is being used from Find it in KSU Libraries of any Case Study or Supplemental Materials (at least two sources, total).
  • THREE ENTRIES: One for each week’s worth of required reading assigned prior to the deadline for this journal (but after the deadline of the previous journal’s work). *This is where the in-class discussions may help you!
  • ONE ENTRY: One for any other reading (required, readily available, scanned for you by me upon request, or found in KSU Libraries) that you think you are considering for use for your essay.
• Also follow the directions for being a leader in participation for class discussions:
  • Each day of participation is worth 10 points toward the 50 points of one of your three Reflective Journals (whichever one is appropriate for the time: Journal #1, Journal #2, or Journal #3).
    • Read for quick understanding—peruse or skim the piece.
    • Pick one or two parts that interest you and read for depth in preparation for discussion.
    • Make at least two comments or ask at least two questions that are relevant to the readings and discussion for that day.
    • If you miss a day of class, be prepared to make at least four comments or ask at least four questions that are relevant to the readings and discussion for the next discussion day, OR be sure to write exceptional journal entries!
    • If you make more than two quality comments or questions on one day, the extras will count toward future class participations.
    • GRADE RUBRIC for this part: Each comment or question is worth 5 points, but it has to have some value! Comments that compliment or simply “agree” with statements made by others (without justification for the agreement) will not count.
    • Clarification: Each journal is worth 50 points, but it is actually possible to replace most of your journal points with class discussion points. (So, if you are shy, plan to write exceptional journal entries.)
    • Possible points for each Journal:
      • Journal #1: 30/50 possible points, total
        • January 26: 10 possible points
        • February 5: 10 possible points
        • February 12: 10 possible points (for either Journal #1 or Journal #2)
      • Journal #2: 40/50 possible points, total
        • February 12: 10 possible points
        • February 19: 10 possible points
        • February 26: 10 possible  points
        • March 5: 10 possible points (for either Journal #2 or Journal #3)
      • Journal #3:  50/50 possible points, total
        • March 5: 10 possible points
        • March 19: 10 possible points
        • March 26: 10 possible points
        • April 2: 10 possible points
        • April 7: 10 possible points (for whichever Journal benefits most)

NOTES:
¹ You can lift sentences from your journal entries to put into your essay!
² I will post points counting toward a particular journal by the end of each week. Points earned on February 12, March 5, and April 7 may count (retroactively) toward previous journals, but not always (see above).
³ Journal #1: You only need to do one entry from the weekly required readings (because we had a cancelled class)

How to Submit Your Work to Me

You are not required to use KSU Google Docs for this assignment. You have several options:

1. a series of eight* entries, each one labeled for the item under review
   1. Via KSU Google Document (see “How to Use KSU Google”).
   2. As a well composed email (sent to clrobins@kent.edu).
   3. As a document (PDF or a word processor document) attached to an email sent to me (clrobins@kent.edu)
2. a 1-4* minute video (in which you talk and/or show items, such as images, quotes, charts, graphs, etc.)
   1. Via KSU Google Drive: upload it to your Drive account and then share it with me (clrobins@kent.edu)
   2. Via YouTube as an unlisted video
   3. Microsoft One Drive
   4. Dropbox
3. a slide print presentation of eight* slides, each one labeled for the item under review (made with Google Slides, MS PowerPoint, or something similar, that combines printed words with images, quotes, charts, graphs, etc.)
   1. Via KSU Google Drive
   2. Microsoft One Drive
   3. Dropbox
   4. Convert the slides to a PDF and attach that to an email to me

NOTES:
* For Journal #1: six entries/1-3 minutes/six slides
‡ Once I have received an email–either with the assignment attached or with notification that you have shared it with me–I will send you confirmation of receipt for that assignment, usually within 48 hours of receipt.

How Your Actual Journal Work Will Be Evaluated

(Boydell & Brewer, February 2025)

Your assignment will be evaluated for clarity of thought expressed, and it must be thorough—fully responding to the topic. It must demonstrate critical thinking skills, particularly as they are tailored to the communication parameters of the medium/media under analysis (media literacy skills).

RUBRIC

An A Level Journal contains eight well developed entries that demonstrate depth of thought in a coherent and concise manner. It is very clear what each entry is about. It is clear that the materials have been selected for use in the appropriate essay (e.g., Journal #1 for Essay One, Journal #2 for Essay Two, Journal #3 for Essay Three). The entries discuss why and how you plan to use the materials for that essay.

A B Level Journal contains eight fairly well developed entries that demonstrate depth of thought in a coherent and concise manner. It is mostly clear what each entry is about. It is clear that the materials have been selected for use in the appropriate essay (e.g., Journal #1 for Essay One, Journal #2 for Essay Two, Journal #3 for Essay Three). The entries somewhat discuss why and how you plan to use the materials for that essay.

A C Level Journal contains eight somewhat developed entries that demonstrate hints of depth of thought in a coherent and concise manner. It is somewhat clear what each entry is about, but there is a lot of vagueness. It is not clear that the  materials have been selected for use in the appropriate essay (e.g., Journal #1 for Essay One, Journal #2 for Essay Two, Journal #3 for Essay Three). The entries somewhat discuss why and how you plan to use the materials for in that essay.

A D Level Journal contains eight or fewer under-developed entries that barely demonstrate any sort of depth of thought in a coherent and concise manner. The entries are vague. It is not clear that the  materials have been selected for use in the appropriate essay (e.g., Journal #1 for Essay One, Journal #2 for Essay Two, Journal #3 for Essay Three). The entries do not sufficiently discuss why and how you plan to use the materials for that essay.

An F Level Journal contains some entries that barely demonstrate any sort of depth of thought in a coherent and concise manner. The entries are vague.  It is not clear that the  materials have been selected for use in the appropriate essay (e.g., Journal #1 for Essay One, Journal #2 for Essay Two, Journal #3 for Essay Three). The entries do not sufficiently discuss why and how you plan to use the materials for that essay. Bottom line: the journal is gobbledygook and empty rhetoric.