PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy
Instructions for Reading Journal (a "B" task)

You should write at least every class day (TR) for about a page and a half. There should be a total of 30 pages when you turn it in to me at the end of the quarter. Use a notebook, or if you use loose paper staple or bind them somehow to turn them in. This journal is not the notes you take in class; it is the thoughts and insights you get during the reading and as you ponder class discussions.

Here are some suggestions of things to address in your journal entries (you might want to pick two or three each day, sometimes different ones):

1. What was surprising about what you read?

2. What confirmed something you had always believed?

3. What contradicted what you had always believed?

4. What reminded you of something you had learned elsewhere?

5. What seemed like it might come in handy some day? How?

6. What was the hardest thing to understand?

7. What was the clearest point?

8. What idea from the reading did you discuss with someone outside of class?

9. What idea or concept would you like to know more about?

10. Who might dislike or fear a concept or idea you read about?

11. What ideas came to your mind as you read the chapter?

12. How did your ideas change after the chapter was discussed in class?

13. What question would you like to ask a philosopher mentioned in the reading? Why?

14. How do you think the philosopher might answer your question?

15. What was it about the class discussion that made it easier or harder to understand this chapter?

16. What general comment would you like to make about the text?