Political Science 161

Dr. Przybylski

Journal Checklist

1. Is my journal long enough? (Approximately 300 words - remember that articles and conjunction are not part of the word count)

If not: Discuss the article or book topic more thoroughly.

2. Did I choose an article to discuss?

If not: Choose an article and put its citation at the top of the first page.

3. Did I choose a topic or concept from any of the required textbooks which relates to the article of my choosing? Notice that, for an A, you should discuss two concepts.

If not: Choose a topic or concept from any the textbooks that relates to the article.

4. Did I cite where I found the topic or concept?

If not: Cite where the topic or concept came from. There are endless

possibilities on how one can cite material. See “Examples of Citation.”

5. Did I proofread or spell-check my journals? Did I double space?

If not: Do so!

6. Did I create some sort of title and spacing to differentiate between the ending of one entry and the beginning of another?

If not: Create a title.

7. Did I display some understanding of what I read and discussed?

If not: Show some effort.

Examples of Citation:

1. Bardes et al., point out that . . . (40-41).

2. In The Irony of Democracy, Dye and Zeigler note that . . . (35).

3. On page 110 of American Government and Politics Today, Bardes states that . . ..

4. Public opinion is . . . (Bardes, et al., 192).

The point of citation is that one must indicate where he or she found the topic or concept under discussion. This is to show that the student has indeed found a topic or concept to relate to the reading from the required textbooks and to prove that he or she has been keeping up with the reading of the assigned chapters.

REMEMBER: Journals should be legible--write carefully or type. It is good to keep in

mind that misspelled words and poor grammar leave an impression of

carelessness with the reader. It is probably unwise to give the impression that

the writer is unconcerned with the grade received.