Notebook Entries - American Literature
5-20-16: Careers
Is there anything wrong with accepting a job/career you know you won’t like? Should anything other than how much satisfaction you will get from a position come into play when choosing a career? Is there anything noble about people who dislike their jobs and remain dedicated to them, or is such a decision foolish? Explain.
5-19-16: Parenting
How significant do you think parenting is in determining how a person turns out? If things turn out poorly for people, is it ever fair for them to blame their parents for issues in their lives? To what degree must a person own up to their issues and take ownership of them, even if their parents did make mistakes raising them? Explain.
5-18-16: Public Speaking
Multiple surveys have found that public speaking often ranks first on a list of human fears, ranking even higher than the fear of death. Why do you think this is the case? What deeper meaning about the human experience can be taken from such surveys? Is it reasonable for a person to rank fears in such order? Explain.
5-17-16: Pressure
To what degree, if any, should parents pressure their children to be successful? Where should parents set the bar in terms of expectations when it comes to their children’s future success? Is it better for parents to expect too much or too little? Explain.
5-16-16: Physical appearance
When it comes to getting a job or being successful in America, do you think physical appearance is considered important? Should it be? Has the answer to these questions changed in the last 50 years? Can a society where it is considered important be changed ? Should it? Explain.
5-13-16: Self-image
If you had to choose one, would you rather be a person with too high of an opinion of yourself or too low of an opinion of yourself? Which mindset will make you a more likeable person? Which mindset will set you up for greater worldly success? What do these answers say about the values of the world? Explain.
5-12-16 - Comparing Generations
In general, what is the biggest way young people of today have improved in comparison to previous generations? What is the biggest way previous generations were better? Explain.
5-11-16: Age and Respect
Does age alone demand any degree of respect? Is the phrase “respect your elders” complete as it stands or does it need additional qualifications? To what degree does a person who is older than you deserve respect solely for that reason? Are there different degrees/types of respect? Explain.
5-10-16: Change
In what ways, if any, is it okay to change who you are for another person? In what ways it is not okay? Is it dishonest to try to present yourself in a way not fully representative of who you are? Explain.
5-9-16: Arranged Marriage
If your parents were to arrange your marriage, do you think they would do a good job? How do you think their selection would differ from your own? Can you see any benefit at all to an arranged marriage system? Explain.
5-5-16: Censorship
To what degree do you think authors should “censor” their work? Is their any reason for an author to tiptoe around certain situations? Knowing things like sex, murder, drugs, language, and violence exist, how should an author approach them? Does censorship serve a purpose or is it childish/naive in the sense that it tries to avoid things that everyone is fully aware of?
5-4-16: Relationships
To what degree, if any, is a person who neglects a relationship responsible for the resulting actions of the other person in the relationship? Explain.
5-3-16: Appeal
A stereotype exists suggesting people often fall in love with those who are bad for them in some way. This is often depicted in literature as a “nice girl” falling in love with a “bad boy” or a “nice guy” falling in love with a manipulative woman who leads him on or uses him.
Do you believe these ideas are rooted in truth? What is the appeal of “bad boys” or “bad girls”? Doesn’t it make more sense that nice boys or nice girls would be most appealing? Explain.
4-28-16: Motivation
What do you think motivates the average person the most? What do you think motivates you most? Which method of motivation is most effective? Is it possible to change what motivates us or is there a natural tendency toward certain motivations? Explain.
* Fear of punishment
* Hope of reward
* Fear of failure/disappointing others
* Need for acknowledgement/fame
* Desire to fit in/be loved/accepted
* Money
* Higher Calling
* Family
* Friends
* Other
4–26-16: Love Blind?
It has been said that love is blind. Some have argued the truth of this statement depends on your definition of love. Do you think love is blind? In what ways/By what definitions?
4-25-16: Idealization
Is it wrong to idealize the person you love? What are the positives/negatives of doing so? Explain.
4-22-16: Nosiness
Why do you think people are often nosy/concerned about things that have nothing to do with them? At what point does the seeking of information become nosy? What is the difference between caring and butting in? Do we ever have the right to know anything about anyone? Explain.
4-21-16: Caring Too Much?
Is it possible to love someone too much? At what point, if any, do strong feelings for someone you care about become unhealthy? If someone cares for someone and the feeling is not mutual, what can/should that person do? Explain.
4-20-16: Value of Life
“One death is tragic. A million, just a statistic.”
What does the above quote mean? How does this quote and its analysis relate to the Naturalist view of the world as represented in The Law of Life? Does a quote like this enhance the ultimate value of life or devalue it? Explain.
4-19-16: Aging
Whose responsibility should it be to take care of elderly people as they age and their health begins to fail? How much personal responsibility should the person who is aging have in this situation? Should the government be involved? Should some level of assistance be expected from the family of the person? Should it be required? What are reasonable expectations for this situation and how should they be applied? Explain.
4-18-16: Rich Problems
Which statement do you agree with more? Why?
Statement #1
Rich people should not complain, compared to other people, they have no problems worth mentioning.
Statement #2
Rich people have complex problems that society overlooks or refuses to recognize. These problems can make life seem just as difficult for the wealthy as it is for the middle class or poor.
4-15-16: The American Dream
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the term “The American Dream”? In what ways could the concept be both good and bad? Has the “dream” changed over the course of the country’s history? Is the dream achievable for anyone willing to work hard? Explain.
NOTEBOOK TURN IN FIVE ABOVE THIS POINT
4-13-16: Arranged Marriage
If your parents were to arrange your marriage, do you think they would do a good job? How do you think their selection would differ from your own? What traits might they consider more important than you would? Less important? Can you see any benefit at all to an arranged marriage system? Explain.
4-12-16: Student Specific Education
Is it fair to expect students to achieve a certain level of proficiency in areas they are not interested or skilled in? What would be the benefits of streamlining education so students focused only on areas of skill/interest at an early age? What would be the negatives? Explain.
4-11-16: People groups
Studies show that people tend to group with others similar to them in appearance, education, and wealth. Is this a bad thing? Are people missing out on anything significant by living life this way? Is it even realistic for this to be different? Explain.
3-29-16: Teenage Employment
At what age do you think young people should first be expected to have jobs? What are the positives and negatives of a young person having a job? How would you balance a first job with the concepts of growing up too quickly or missing out on one’s childhood? Explain.
3-23-16: Irresponsible Ideas
Some have argued that certain works of literature/media should not be promoted or glorified because they could put reckless/irresponsible ideas into the heads of those who experience them. To what degree should such protective measures be taken seriously? Is it realistic to protect people by keeping information from them? Explain.
3-22-16: Danger/Responsibility
How should we balance a personal sense of danger or adventure with the concepts of individual responsibility and the stewardship of God’s gifts?
Stewardship - The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.
3-21-16: Knowledge vs. Instincts
Do you think American society values knowledge or instinct more? Street smarts or book smarts? Which attribute do you think will lead to a more successful life? Can a person severely lacking in either category get by in life? Explain.
3-16-16: Money and Relationships
How much of a role should money or philosophies concerning money come into play when considering a future spouse? Is it shallow to consider a person’s financial status when determining whether or not to date/marry the person? If a person desires expensive things is it okay for that person to only consider dating someone who feels the same way or can help provide those things? Explain.
3-11-16: Conscience
To what degree do you believe a person’s conscience is natural? To what degree do you believe it is based on upbringing? Do you think everyone has a conscience regardless of how they act? Can people lose/destroy their consciences? Explain.
3-9-16: Honor
Do you think a person has a better chance at achieving worldly/financial success by being an honorable, righteous person or by being a selfish, dishonest person who doesn't worry about ethics at all?
3-7-16: Self-Righteous
Christians are often accused of being self-righteous and judgmental toward people lost in sin. Is it possible to take a firm stance against certain behaviors without coming off as self-righteous? Should it even matter what those involved in the sin think about Christians taking such stands? Explain.
3-3-16: Mistakes
Where should parents draw the line between letting young people make mistakes that they can learn from and attempting to outright prevent young people from making mistakes?
2-29-16: Fine Arts
How important should the fine arts (music, art, poetry, theater, photography, sculpture, film, etc.) be at a school? Are they as important as the major subjects like math and science? Are they as important as athletics? Do they prepare students for the real world? Explain.
2-26-16: College Sports
College sports have become incredibly popular in the United States. Big games air on the most coveted TV channels at the most coveted times. Teams are followed not only by loyal students and alumni but also by diverse fans from across the country. Major athletic programs bring millions of dollars to university coffers. Star coaches can often earn more than university presidents, making them the highest paid employees on campus. Full scholarships are awarded to star athletes because of their athletic prowess rather than their academic record. In some instances, athletes are even given fake grades to help them stay on the team. Given all of this, should colleges continue to support their sports teams?
Write an introduction paragraph for this prompt.
2-23-16: Fairness
Is it ever okay to fall into a “Life is not fair” mentality? Does anything positive come from people dwelling on the seemingly unfair circumstances they have had to deal with? If not, why is it so easy for people to feel this way? Explain.
2-22-16: ACT Writing
Choose one of the prompts below. Write an introduction paragraph using the methods we have discussed in class.
· Should schools be able to punish students who commit cyber bullying outside of school?
· Should girls be allowed to play on boys’ sports teams?
· Should music containing curse words be allowed at school dances?
2-18-16: Value of Life
People often discuss the ways they would change their lives if they knew they only had one week to live.
Assuming these people are telling the truth, what is it that you think prevents them from living in those ways now? Is “live like you are dying” good advice, or do life circumstances make such a mindset irresponsible and impossible?
2-17-16: Five Years
Educators debate extending high school to five years because of increasing demands on students from employers and colleges to participate in extracurricular activities and community service in addition to having high grades. Some educators support extending high school to five years because they think students need more time to achieve all that is expected of them. Other educators do not support extending high school to five years because they think students would lose interest in school and attendance would drop in the fifth year. In your opinion, should high school be extended to five years?
2-16-16: Uniforms
In some high schools, many teachers and parents have encouraged the school to require school uniforms that students must wear to school. Some teachers and parents support school uniforms because they think their use will improve the school’s learning environment. Other teachers and parents do not support requiring uniforms because they think it restricts individual freedom of expression. In your opinion, should high schools require uniforms for students?
Write an introduction paragraph addressing this prompt.
2-11-15: Driving and Grades
In some states, legislators have debated whether teenagers should be required to maintain a “C” grade average in school before receiving a driver’s license. Some people think this would be a good policy because having passing grades shows that students are responsible enough to be good drivers. Other people think such a policy would not be appropriate because they see no relationship between grades in school and driving skills. In your opinion, should teenagers be required to maintain a “C” average in school before receiving a driver’s license?
Write an introduction paragraph for this prompt.
2-10-16: Professional Athletes
Professional athletes should not be paid as much as they are because their work provides little tangible benefit to society, their salaries promote outlandish dreams in young people, and their elevated public status diminishes the importance of other more significant jobs. Agree or Disagree? Why?
Write an introduction paragraph for this prompt.
2-9-16: Curfews
City wide curfews should be implemented for teenagers because they will keep young people out of trouble, encourage better sleep patterns, and promote a safer public environment. Agree or disagree? Why?
2-8-16: Basic Skills Test
Students should have to pass a basic skills test to graduate high school. This requirement would ensure students had actually retained knowledge, developed individual study skills, and become self motivated enough to successfully enter college or the workforce. Agree or disagree. Why?
2-5-16: Taking the Fall
Is there any honor in accepting the consequences for something you are accused of, even if you disagree with the consequences or are not guilty?
2-4-16: Realism
Does a fictional story need to be believable/realistic to be valuable? In what ways does believability affect your final critique of a book or film? Does genre play a role in your answer? How so?
2-3-16: Memories
How can memories affect people in both good and bad ways? Should we purposely schedule time to consider our pasts or should we stay focused on the present/future?
2-1-16: Ignorance
Is ignorance an acceptable excuse for improper behavior? To what degree do we have the right to judge the actions of people from the past? Explain.
1-26-16: Heroic or foolish
What is the difference between a foolish rebellion against authority and a heroic rebellion against authority?
1-25-16: Education
Frederick Douglass promoted education as the means by which a person can attain true freedom. In what ways is education freeing? Has the value of education changed over the past 100 years? Should all people be encouraged to pursue higher education? Explain.
1-22-16: Possessions/Motivation
Is it okay for a person’s primary motivation to be external things/events? When you think about what inspires you to achieve, do you find yourself thinking more about the positive reinforcements of your possible successes or the negative consequences of your possible failures? Can what motivates a person be dangerous? Explain.
1-21-16: Attachment
Some have said that apart from food, water, and shelter, humans also require companionship or friendship to lead healthy lives. Do you think this is true for all people? Knowing that relationships can change or end abruptly, is it ever a mistake to become too attached to a particular person in your life?
1-20-16: Incentives for Nature Preservation
Will the majority of the general population ever care about the preservation of nature? How do you feel about laws/incentives that require people to recycle to a certain extent? What about tax benefits for those who can legitimately demonstrate attempts to preserve nature on their property or with their vehicles? Are such laws worth it? Explain.
1-19-16: Protecting Nature
Are humans responsible for the protection of nature and/or wildlife? If so, to what degree? Where should the protection of nature/wildlife rank on humanity’s to do list? Explain.
1-8-16: Political Division
The opinions of the citizens of the United States are currently heavily divided over many issues. Is there any benefit to such political division in a country? If a large enough group were to come together and attempt to secede, should they be allowed to? If not, how should they be stopped? Explain.
1–7-16: Equal Say
Should every person have an equal say in the way the government runs? If not, who or what should determine how much “say” each individual gets? Should a person have to earn the right to vote? Explain.
1-6-16: Instincts
Is "follow your heart" or "trust your instincts" good advice? What are the benefits or dangers of doing so? Explain.
1-5-16: Government expectations
As a citizen of the United States, what do you consider to be your responsibilities to the country? Is it fair for the government to have certain expectations of you?
1-4-16: Tradition
How important is tradition when it comes to the way we should live our lives? Should we look to the wisdom of the past for answers to our current problems? Are there dangers of relying too much on tradition? Explain.
FIRST SET SECOND SEMESTER NOTEBOOK ENTRIES ABOVE THIS POINT!
12–14-15: Love and Loss
"It is better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all."
What does this statement mean and do you agree or disagree with it?
12-11-15: Tragedy
Is experiencing great tragedy necessary in order to become a strong person? What benefits will a person who has endured a tragedy have over a person who has not? Is a victory achieved following a tragedy somehow greater than a victory that came easily? Explain.
12-9-15: Nostalgia
Is longing for the past a bad thing? Why do you think so many people feel nostalgic about the past? When people view the past fondly, what things do they tend to think about? Is it possible to recreate the past or feelings we had in the past? Explain.
12-7-15: Rehabilitation vs. Punishment
What is the difference between rehabilitation and punishment? Do you think our current legal system punishes or rehabilitates? How would you define the point at which a person a person has fulfilled their punishment/been rehabilitated? Are some transgressions so severe that the guilty person can never overcome them?
12-4-15: Omission
Is leaving out information in an attempt to deceive the equivalent of lying? Explain.
12-1-15: Power of the Mind
To what degree do you think a person’s state of mind can overcome their circumstances? Will a person who constantly faces negative/tragic events always be depressed and unhappy? Will a person who overwhelmingly experiences positive/joyful events always be happy? Is it possible to decide how you are going to feel each day?
11-30-15: Impossible Circumstances?
Is anyone doomed from birth to a life of unavoidable tragedy? Is anyone doomed to a life of immorality? Is it fair to hold all people to the same standard when it comes to ethical/moral development? How should a person’s background or upbringing affect the way we view him/her?
11-24–15: Death
A common theme of Anti-Romantic works is the inevitability of death. Humans are the only creatures we know of who are aware of their own mortality. Can anything beneficial come from thinking about or reminding ourselves of this mortality? Can anything negative come from it? Explain.
11-18-15: The Founding Fathers
Does the fact that the laws and beliefs of the founding fathers were written hundreds of years ago yet are still around today make them more legitimate or less legitimate? Is it possible to write a document about the way a country should be run that is still relevant centuries later? Explain.
11-16-15: Mistakes
How often should we contemplate our past sins/mistakes/failures? What are the pros and cons of doing so? Are people who are hard on themselves at an advantage or disadvantage in life? Explain.
11-13-15: Sad/Tragic Stories
Do you enjoy sad/tragic stories? What is the appeal of such stories? Why do you think there has always been a place in society for stories that inspire sadness in the reader?
11-12-15: Strange Literature
Why do you think people are drawn to weird, strange, eerie, or scary works of literature? Is there anything inherently evil about works that deal with the darker side of human nature? Explain.
11-11-15: Exposure and Behavior
At what point, if any, do you think exposure to a work of art can become a bad thing? Do you think exposure alone can influence behavior one way or another? Explain.
11-9-15: Crucible Lessons
What lessons from The Crucible and events of The Salem Witch Trials do you think still prove important/valid today?
Consider the following concepts:
Fear
Hysteria
Society and Order
Trust/Faith/Respect for fellow citizens
Honor
Courage
Good Vs. Evil
Sin
Judgment
11-2-2015: Most to blame?
Which character do you consider most to blame for the way the events of The Crucible unfolded? Why did you choose that character?
Abigail
John Proctor
Rev. Parris
Thomas Putnam
Judge Danforth
Judge Hathorne
Hale
Tituba
Other
10-30-15: Mob Mentality
What do you think of when you hear the term "angry mob"? In what ways does the behavior of people change when they are surrounded by a large group of tense/excited/aggressive people? Why do you think this is the case? Explain.
10-29-15: Company You Keep
Do you believe people will judge you based on the people you hang out with? Is that fair? Is the group you decide to associate with something you should consciously be aware of for that reason? Should you avoid certain people you like if hanging out with them will tarnish your reputation? Explain.
10-27-15: Insecurity
What is the difference between a secure and insecure person? How can insecurity negatively affect someone? Is insecurity always a bad thing? Can insecurity ever prove beneficial? Explain.
10-26-15: Second Chances
It is often said that if you give a person an inch, he/she will take a mile. Do you think this statement is true? How does it relate to the concept of second chances and whether or not they should be given when a person makes a mistake?
10-22-15: Suffering
What role, if any, do you think suffering should play in the forgiveness/restoration of a person who has sinned and truly repented? Does it/Should it play a role in whether or not you choose to forgive those who have wronged you?
10-20-15: Backing Down
Is it ever more intelligent/honorable to back down from an authority when fighting against an ethical injustice you feel strongly about? At what point should a person refuse to back down regardless of consequences? Explain.
10-19-15: Children and Discipline
Knowing children are often naïve, impressionable and prone to rebellion, how do you think parents should handle the disciplining of inappropriate behavior? What is acceptable punishment? What crosses the line? What works? What doesn’t? How should the law handle children? Explain.
10-15-15: White Lies
Is there really such a thing as a white lie? How should you handle awkward situations that require difficult truths? Should you tell people things that are hurtful to hear if those things are true and you are asked directly about them? Explain.
10-14-15: Complaining
When is it okay to complain? When is it not okay? Do you think you and/or people your age complain too much? Do you think older people complain less than young people? Explain.
10-13-15: Self-inflicted Troubles
Should our feelings or actions toward helping people be based at all on whether or not they brought the negative situation onto themselves? Explain.
10-12-15: Trust
Do you trust the average person? Do you think the average person would put the needs of others ahead of their own needs under normal circumstances? Why or why not?
10-8-15: Gossip
How would you define gossip? At what point does the spreading of information become gossip? What distinguishes gossip from simply making conversation?
10-7-15: Unwritten Code
At what point is it unacceptable not to turn someone in for doing something wrong? Is there honor in not snitching? Are any of your relationships so strong that you would never turn someone in no matter how evil his/her actions? Why or Why not?
10-6-15: Gossip/Fall from grace
Why do you think the media and the public tend to crave news about the “fall from grace” of prominent people in the realms of politics/religion/entertainment/athletics? Is it bad to focus on such a thing or is it a good way to keep people accountable?
Religious Leaders
Political Figures
Bill Clinton
Chris Brown
O.J. Simpson
Tiger Woods
Joe Paterno
10-5-15: Church and State
What are the benefits of a society ruled by the Church? What are the negatives? Do you think the modern world would be better off if the church had more control over governmental affairs? Explain.
10–2-15: Outside Opinions
Some say you should not care what other people think of you. Others say nothing is more important than your personal honor. Explain how both of these ideas can exist in our culture when they seem to contradict each other.
SECTION #2 NOTEBOOK ENTRIES ABOVE THIS POINT
9-30-15: Seeking Truth
Is anyone truly open-minded? Do you think people actually want the truth about important/complex issues or simply seek affirmation for what they already believe about them? What examples can you think of to support your reasoning? What issues might such a mindset lead to?
9-28-15 - Logic vs. Emotion
What are the dangers of relying too much on emotion? What are the dangers of relying too much on logic? Which category do you think you tend to lean towards? Do you think either lifestyle leads to a happier or more successful life? Explain.
9-25-15: Self-Analysis
How often should you dwell on your own personality flaws or shortcomings? Do you think a person is better off constantly thinking about their areas of weakness or never thinking about them? What are the benefits of focusing on personal weaknesses? What are the negatives? Explain.
9-24-15: Generational Discipline
Do you think adults do certain things that inspire the very behavior in young people they wish to eliminate? If so, explain. If not, why do you think every generation seems to have differing viewpoints on discipline and behavior?
9–23-15: Fiction Vs. Nonfiction
Do you prefer to read nonfiction or fiction? Why? Is it acceptable for authors writing stories that are based on historical occurrences to “stretch” the truth or change details? Does the fact that something is “based on a true story” make it better or more effective than stories which are total fiction?
9-22-15: Peer Pressure
Is peer pressure as big of a deal as people say it is? In what ways do people think or act differently when they are alone as opposed to in a group? Are some people less susceptible to this behavioral change than others? If so, why?
9-21-15 - Fear as Motivation
Should fear ever be used as a motivator? Are there certain times when it is okay to use it in such a way and other times when it is not? Explain?
9-16-15 - Routine
What are the benefits and detriments of leading a routine driven life? Do your morning or evening schedules adhere to a strict routine? Is it possible to be successful without following some routine?
9-15-15 - American Values
Do you think righteousness/moral behavior is rewarded in modern America? Do you think it was more important/beneficial to be a moral person in the past than it is today? Is some level of morality necessary to be successful regardless of what one chooses to do? Explain.
9-14-15 - Morality/Work Ethic
Do you think morality and work ethic go hand in hand? Do people who care about right and wrong tend to be harder workers on average? Explain.
9-11-15: 9-11
What immediately comes to your mind when you think of the events of 9-11-2001 or the events of its aftermath? In what ways do you believe the country has changed since that day? Has it changed for the better or the worse? Explain.
9-9-15: Changes
What is the best way to handle a situation where major cultural or political changes you disagree with occur on a nationwide level? Should people in this situation ignore these changes, adapt to them, accept them, actively fight against them, or remove themselves from them? Explain.
9-8-15: Cultural Morality
How should we handle opposing opinions on morality that are rooted in cultural differences? Is there ever a time when it is okay for one group of people to impose their values on another group? Explain.
9-3-15 - Native Americans Today
What are your ultimate feelings toward the historical struggles of Native Americans? Is it wrong for a person who was not involved to feel a sense of personal responsibility or loss? Should today’s government make more of an effort to recognize Native American tradition/literature/culture now? Why or why not?
9-2-15: Questionable Material
How do you think schools should handle the study of literature that some might deem to contain inappropriate material? Explain.
9-1-15 - Cultural Differences
In a situation where two vastly different cultures collide, what do you consider to be the best way to handle the issues that arise over political, ethical, cultural, and religious differences?
8-31-15: Native American Literature
How significant do you consider Native American history/literature and how much time should be given to its study in mainstream American education? Explain.
Is there anything wrong with accepting a job/career you know you won’t like? Should anything other than how much satisfaction you will get from a position come into play when choosing a career? Is there anything noble about people who dislike their jobs and remain dedicated to them, or is such a decision foolish? Explain.
5-19-16: Parenting
How significant do you think parenting is in determining how a person turns out? If things turn out poorly for people, is it ever fair for them to blame their parents for issues in their lives? To what degree must a person own up to their issues and take ownership of them, even if their parents did make mistakes raising them? Explain.
5-18-16: Public Speaking
Multiple surveys have found that public speaking often ranks first on a list of human fears, ranking even higher than the fear of death. Why do you think this is the case? What deeper meaning about the human experience can be taken from such surveys? Is it reasonable for a person to rank fears in such order? Explain.
5-17-16: Pressure
To what degree, if any, should parents pressure their children to be successful? Where should parents set the bar in terms of expectations when it comes to their children’s future success? Is it better for parents to expect too much or too little? Explain.
5-16-16: Physical appearance
When it comes to getting a job or being successful in America, do you think physical appearance is considered important? Should it be? Has the answer to these questions changed in the last 50 years? Can a society where it is considered important be changed ? Should it? Explain.
5-13-16: Self-image
If you had to choose one, would you rather be a person with too high of an opinion of yourself or too low of an opinion of yourself? Which mindset will make you a more likeable person? Which mindset will set you up for greater worldly success? What do these answers say about the values of the world? Explain.
5-12-16 - Comparing Generations
In general, what is the biggest way young people of today have improved in comparison to previous generations? What is the biggest way previous generations were better? Explain.
5-11-16: Age and Respect
Does age alone demand any degree of respect? Is the phrase “respect your elders” complete as it stands or does it need additional qualifications? To what degree does a person who is older than you deserve respect solely for that reason? Are there different degrees/types of respect? Explain.
5-10-16: Change
In what ways, if any, is it okay to change who you are for another person? In what ways it is not okay? Is it dishonest to try to present yourself in a way not fully representative of who you are? Explain.
5-9-16: Arranged Marriage
If your parents were to arrange your marriage, do you think they would do a good job? How do you think their selection would differ from your own? Can you see any benefit at all to an arranged marriage system? Explain.
5-5-16: Censorship
To what degree do you think authors should “censor” their work? Is their any reason for an author to tiptoe around certain situations? Knowing things like sex, murder, drugs, language, and violence exist, how should an author approach them? Does censorship serve a purpose or is it childish/naive in the sense that it tries to avoid things that everyone is fully aware of?
5-4-16: Relationships
To what degree, if any, is a person who neglects a relationship responsible for the resulting actions of the other person in the relationship? Explain.
5-3-16: Appeal
A stereotype exists suggesting people often fall in love with those who are bad for them in some way. This is often depicted in literature as a “nice girl” falling in love with a “bad boy” or a “nice guy” falling in love with a manipulative woman who leads him on or uses him.
Do you believe these ideas are rooted in truth? What is the appeal of “bad boys” or “bad girls”? Doesn’t it make more sense that nice boys or nice girls would be most appealing? Explain.
4-28-16: Motivation
What do you think motivates the average person the most? What do you think motivates you most? Which method of motivation is most effective? Is it possible to change what motivates us or is there a natural tendency toward certain motivations? Explain.
* Fear of punishment
* Hope of reward
* Fear of failure/disappointing others
* Need for acknowledgement/fame
* Desire to fit in/be loved/accepted
* Money
* Higher Calling
* Family
* Friends
* Other
4–26-16: Love Blind?
It has been said that love is blind. Some have argued the truth of this statement depends on your definition of love. Do you think love is blind? In what ways/By what definitions?
4-25-16: Idealization
Is it wrong to idealize the person you love? What are the positives/negatives of doing so? Explain.
4-22-16: Nosiness
Why do you think people are often nosy/concerned about things that have nothing to do with them? At what point does the seeking of information become nosy? What is the difference between caring and butting in? Do we ever have the right to know anything about anyone? Explain.
4-21-16: Caring Too Much?
Is it possible to love someone too much? At what point, if any, do strong feelings for someone you care about become unhealthy? If someone cares for someone and the feeling is not mutual, what can/should that person do? Explain.
4-20-16: Value of Life
“One death is tragic. A million, just a statistic.”
What does the above quote mean? How does this quote and its analysis relate to the Naturalist view of the world as represented in The Law of Life? Does a quote like this enhance the ultimate value of life or devalue it? Explain.
4-19-16: Aging
Whose responsibility should it be to take care of elderly people as they age and their health begins to fail? How much personal responsibility should the person who is aging have in this situation? Should the government be involved? Should some level of assistance be expected from the family of the person? Should it be required? What are reasonable expectations for this situation and how should they be applied? Explain.
4-18-16: Rich Problems
Which statement do you agree with more? Why?
Statement #1
Rich people should not complain, compared to other people, they have no problems worth mentioning.
Statement #2
Rich people have complex problems that society overlooks or refuses to recognize. These problems can make life seem just as difficult for the wealthy as it is for the middle class or poor.
4-15-16: The American Dream
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the term “The American Dream”? In what ways could the concept be both good and bad? Has the “dream” changed over the course of the country’s history? Is the dream achievable for anyone willing to work hard? Explain.
NOTEBOOK TURN IN FIVE ABOVE THIS POINT
4-13-16: Arranged Marriage
If your parents were to arrange your marriage, do you think they would do a good job? How do you think their selection would differ from your own? What traits might they consider more important than you would? Less important? Can you see any benefit at all to an arranged marriage system? Explain.
4-12-16: Student Specific Education
Is it fair to expect students to achieve a certain level of proficiency in areas they are not interested or skilled in? What would be the benefits of streamlining education so students focused only on areas of skill/interest at an early age? What would be the negatives? Explain.
4-11-16: People groups
Studies show that people tend to group with others similar to them in appearance, education, and wealth. Is this a bad thing? Are people missing out on anything significant by living life this way? Is it even realistic for this to be different? Explain.
3-29-16: Teenage Employment
At what age do you think young people should first be expected to have jobs? What are the positives and negatives of a young person having a job? How would you balance a first job with the concepts of growing up too quickly or missing out on one’s childhood? Explain.
3-23-16: Irresponsible Ideas
Some have argued that certain works of literature/media should not be promoted or glorified because they could put reckless/irresponsible ideas into the heads of those who experience them. To what degree should such protective measures be taken seriously? Is it realistic to protect people by keeping information from them? Explain.
3-22-16: Danger/Responsibility
How should we balance a personal sense of danger or adventure with the concepts of individual responsibility and the stewardship of God’s gifts?
Stewardship - The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.
3-21-16: Knowledge vs. Instincts
Do you think American society values knowledge or instinct more? Street smarts or book smarts? Which attribute do you think will lead to a more successful life? Can a person severely lacking in either category get by in life? Explain.
3-16-16: Money and Relationships
How much of a role should money or philosophies concerning money come into play when considering a future spouse? Is it shallow to consider a person’s financial status when determining whether or not to date/marry the person? If a person desires expensive things is it okay for that person to only consider dating someone who feels the same way or can help provide those things? Explain.
3-11-16: Conscience
To what degree do you believe a person’s conscience is natural? To what degree do you believe it is based on upbringing? Do you think everyone has a conscience regardless of how they act? Can people lose/destroy their consciences? Explain.
3-9-16: Honor
Do you think a person has a better chance at achieving worldly/financial success by being an honorable, righteous person or by being a selfish, dishonest person who doesn't worry about ethics at all?
3-7-16: Self-Righteous
Christians are often accused of being self-righteous and judgmental toward people lost in sin. Is it possible to take a firm stance against certain behaviors without coming off as self-righteous? Should it even matter what those involved in the sin think about Christians taking such stands? Explain.
3-3-16: Mistakes
Where should parents draw the line between letting young people make mistakes that they can learn from and attempting to outright prevent young people from making mistakes?
2-29-16: Fine Arts
How important should the fine arts (music, art, poetry, theater, photography, sculpture, film, etc.) be at a school? Are they as important as the major subjects like math and science? Are they as important as athletics? Do they prepare students for the real world? Explain.
2-26-16: College Sports
College sports have become incredibly popular in the United States. Big games air on the most coveted TV channels at the most coveted times. Teams are followed not only by loyal students and alumni but also by diverse fans from across the country. Major athletic programs bring millions of dollars to university coffers. Star coaches can often earn more than university presidents, making them the highest paid employees on campus. Full scholarships are awarded to star athletes because of their athletic prowess rather than their academic record. In some instances, athletes are even given fake grades to help them stay on the team. Given all of this, should colleges continue to support their sports teams?
Write an introduction paragraph for this prompt.
2-23-16: Fairness
Is it ever okay to fall into a “Life is not fair” mentality? Does anything positive come from people dwelling on the seemingly unfair circumstances they have had to deal with? If not, why is it so easy for people to feel this way? Explain.
2-22-16: ACT Writing
Choose one of the prompts below. Write an introduction paragraph using the methods we have discussed in class.
· Should schools be able to punish students who commit cyber bullying outside of school?
· Should girls be allowed to play on boys’ sports teams?
· Should music containing curse words be allowed at school dances?
2-18-16: Value of Life
People often discuss the ways they would change their lives if they knew they only had one week to live.
Assuming these people are telling the truth, what is it that you think prevents them from living in those ways now? Is “live like you are dying” good advice, or do life circumstances make such a mindset irresponsible and impossible?
2-17-16: Five Years
Educators debate extending high school to five years because of increasing demands on students from employers and colleges to participate in extracurricular activities and community service in addition to having high grades. Some educators support extending high school to five years because they think students need more time to achieve all that is expected of them. Other educators do not support extending high school to five years because they think students would lose interest in school and attendance would drop in the fifth year. In your opinion, should high school be extended to five years?
2-16-16: Uniforms
In some high schools, many teachers and parents have encouraged the school to require school uniforms that students must wear to school. Some teachers and parents support school uniforms because they think their use will improve the school’s learning environment. Other teachers and parents do not support requiring uniforms because they think it restricts individual freedom of expression. In your opinion, should high schools require uniforms for students?
Write an introduction paragraph addressing this prompt.
2-11-15: Driving and Grades
In some states, legislators have debated whether teenagers should be required to maintain a “C” grade average in school before receiving a driver’s license. Some people think this would be a good policy because having passing grades shows that students are responsible enough to be good drivers. Other people think such a policy would not be appropriate because they see no relationship between grades in school and driving skills. In your opinion, should teenagers be required to maintain a “C” average in school before receiving a driver’s license?
Write an introduction paragraph for this prompt.
2-10-16: Professional Athletes
Professional athletes should not be paid as much as they are because their work provides little tangible benefit to society, their salaries promote outlandish dreams in young people, and their elevated public status diminishes the importance of other more significant jobs. Agree or Disagree? Why?
Write an introduction paragraph for this prompt.
2-9-16: Curfews
City wide curfews should be implemented for teenagers because they will keep young people out of trouble, encourage better sleep patterns, and promote a safer public environment. Agree or disagree? Why?
2-8-16: Basic Skills Test
Students should have to pass a basic skills test to graduate high school. This requirement would ensure students had actually retained knowledge, developed individual study skills, and become self motivated enough to successfully enter college or the workforce. Agree or disagree. Why?
2-5-16: Taking the Fall
Is there any honor in accepting the consequences for something you are accused of, even if you disagree with the consequences or are not guilty?
2-4-16: Realism
Does a fictional story need to be believable/realistic to be valuable? In what ways does believability affect your final critique of a book or film? Does genre play a role in your answer? How so?
2-3-16: Memories
How can memories affect people in both good and bad ways? Should we purposely schedule time to consider our pasts or should we stay focused on the present/future?
2-1-16: Ignorance
Is ignorance an acceptable excuse for improper behavior? To what degree do we have the right to judge the actions of people from the past? Explain.
1-26-16: Heroic or foolish
What is the difference between a foolish rebellion against authority and a heroic rebellion against authority?
1-25-16: Education
Frederick Douglass promoted education as the means by which a person can attain true freedom. In what ways is education freeing? Has the value of education changed over the past 100 years? Should all people be encouraged to pursue higher education? Explain.
1-22-16: Possessions/Motivation
Is it okay for a person’s primary motivation to be external things/events? When you think about what inspires you to achieve, do you find yourself thinking more about the positive reinforcements of your possible successes or the negative consequences of your possible failures? Can what motivates a person be dangerous? Explain.
1-21-16: Attachment
Some have said that apart from food, water, and shelter, humans also require companionship or friendship to lead healthy lives. Do you think this is true for all people? Knowing that relationships can change or end abruptly, is it ever a mistake to become too attached to a particular person in your life?
1-20-16: Incentives for Nature Preservation
Will the majority of the general population ever care about the preservation of nature? How do you feel about laws/incentives that require people to recycle to a certain extent? What about tax benefits for those who can legitimately demonstrate attempts to preserve nature on their property or with their vehicles? Are such laws worth it? Explain.
1-19-16: Protecting Nature
Are humans responsible for the protection of nature and/or wildlife? If so, to what degree? Where should the protection of nature/wildlife rank on humanity’s to do list? Explain.
1-8-16: Political Division
The opinions of the citizens of the United States are currently heavily divided over many issues. Is there any benefit to such political division in a country? If a large enough group were to come together and attempt to secede, should they be allowed to? If not, how should they be stopped? Explain.
1–7-16: Equal Say
Should every person have an equal say in the way the government runs? If not, who or what should determine how much “say” each individual gets? Should a person have to earn the right to vote? Explain.
1-6-16: Instincts
Is "follow your heart" or "trust your instincts" good advice? What are the benefits or dangers of doing so? Explain.
1-5-16: Government expectations
As a citizen of the United States, what do you consider to be your responsibilities to the country? Is it fair for the government to have certain expectations of you?
1-4-16: Tradition
How important is tradition when it comes to the way we should live our lives? Should we look to the wisdom of the past for answers to our current problems? Are there dangers of relying too much on tradition? Explain.
FIRST SET SECOND SEMESTER NOTEBOOK ENTRIES ABOVE THIS POINT!
12–14-15: Love and Loss
"It is better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all."
What does this statement mean and do you agree or disagree with it?
12-11-15: Tragedy
Is experiencing great tragedy necessary in order to become a strong person? What benefits will a person who has endured a tragedy have over a person who has not? Is a victory achieved following a tragedy somehow greater than a victory that came easily? Explain.
12-9-15: Nostalgia
Is longing for the past a bad thing? Why do you think so many people feel nostalgic about the past? When people view the past fondly, what things do they tend to think about? Is it possible to recreate the past or feelings we had in the past? Explain.
12-7-15: Rehabilitation vs. Punishment
What is the difference between rehabilitation and punishment? Do you think our current legal system punishes or rehabilitates? How would you define the point at which a person a person has fulfilled their punishment/been rehabilitated? Are some transgressions so severe that the guilty person can never overcome them?
12-4-15: Omission
Is leaving out information in an attempt to deceive the equivalent of lying? Explain.
12-1-15: Power of the Mind
To what degree do you think a person’s state of mind can overcome their circumstances? Will a person who constantly faces negative/tragic events always be depressed and unhappy? Will a person who overwhelmingly experiences positive/joyful events always be happy? Is it possible to decide how you are going to feel each day?
11-30-15: Impossible Circumstances?
Is anyone doomed from birth to a life of unavoidable tragedy? Is anyone doomed to a life of immorality? Is it fair to hold all people to the same standard when it comes to ethical/moral development? How should a person’s background or upbringing affect the way we view him/her?
11-24–15: Death
A common theme of Anti-Romantic works is the inevitability of death. Humans are the only creatures we know of who are aware of their own mortality. Can anything beneficial come from thinking about or reminding ourselves of this mortality? Can anything negative come from it? Explain.
11-18-15: The Founding Fathers
Does the fact that the laws and beliefs of the founding fathers were written hundreds of years ago yet are still around today make them more legitimate or less legitimate? Is it possible to write a document about the way a country should be run that is still relevant centuries later? Explain.
11-16-15: Mistakes
How often should we contemplate our past sins/mistakes/failures? What are the pros and cons of doing so? Are people who are hard on themselves at an advantage or disadvantage in life? Explain.
11-13-15: Sad/Tragic Stories
Do you enjoy sad/tragic stories? What is the appeal of such stories? Why do you think there has always been a place in society for stories that inspire sadness in the reader?
11-12-15: Strange Literature
Why do you think people are drawn to weird, strange, eerie, or scary works of literature? Is there anything inherently evil about works that deal with the darker side of human nature? Explain.
11-11-15: Exposure and Behavior
At what point, if any, do you think exposure to a work of art can become a bad thing? Do you think exposure alone can influence behavior one way or another? Explain.
11-9-15: Crucible Lessons
What lessons from The Crucible and events of The Salem Witch Trials do you think still prove important/valid today?
Consider the following concepts:
Fear
Hysteria
Society and Order
Trust/Faith/Respect for fellow citizens
Honor
Courage
Good Vs. Evil
Sin
Judgment
11-2-2015: Most to blame?
Which character do you consider most to blame for the way the events of The Crucible unfolded? Why did you choose that character?
Abigail
John Proctor
Rev. Parris
Thomas Putnam
Judge Danforth
Judge Hathorne
Hale
Tituba
Other
10-30-15: Mob Mentality
What do you think of when you hear the term "angry mob"? In what ways does the behavior of people change when they are surrounded by a large group of tense/excited/aggressive people? Why do you think this is the case? Explain.
10-29-15: Company You Keep
Do you believe people will judge you based on the people you hang out with? Is that fair? Is the group you decide to associate with something you should consciously be aware of for that reason? Should you avoid certain people you like if hanging out with them will tarnish your reputation? Explain.
10-27-15: Insecurity
What is the difference between a secure and insecure person? How can insecurity negatively affect someone? Is insecurity always a bad thing? Can insecurity ever prove beneficial? Explain.
10-26-15: Second Chances
It is often said that if you give a person an inch, he/she will take a mile. Do you think this statement is true? How does it relate to the concept of second chances and whether or not they should be given when a person makes a mistake?
10-22-15: Suffering
What role, if any, do you think suffering should play in the forgiveness/restoration of a person who has sinned and truly repented? Does it/Should it play a role in whether or not you choose to forgive those who have wronged you?
10-20-15: Backing Down
Is it ever more intelligent/honorable to back down from an authority when fighting against an ethical injustice you feel strongly about? At what point should a person refuse to back down regardless of consequences? Explain.
10-19-15: Children and Discipline
Knowing children are often naïve, impressionable and prone to rebellion, how do you think parents should handle the disciplining of inappropriate behavior? What is acceptable punishment? What crosses the line? What works? What doesn’t? How should the law handle children? Explain.
10-15-15: White Lies
Is there really such a thing as a white lie? How should you handle awkward situations that require difficult truths? Should you tell people things that are hurtful to hear if those things are true and you are asked directly about them? Explain.
10-14-15: Complaining
When is it okay to complain? When is it not okay? Do you think you and/or people your age complain too much? Do you think older people complain less than young people? Explain.
10-13-15: Self-inflicted Troubles
Should our feelings or actions toward helping people be based at all on whether or not they brought the negative situation onto themselves? Explain.
10-12-15: Trust
Do you trust the average person? Do you think the average person would put the needs of others ahead of their own needs under normal circumstances? Why or why not?
10-8-15: Gossip
How would you define gossip? At what point does the spreading of information become gossip? What distinguishes gossip from simply making conversation?
10-7-15: Unwritten Code
At what point is it unacceptable not to turn someone in for doing something wrong? Is there honor in not snitching? Are any of your relationships so strong that you would never turn someone in no matter how evil his/her actions? Why or Why not?
10-6-15: Gossip/Fall from grace
Why do you think the media and the public tend to crave news about the “fall from grace” of prominent people in the realms of politics/religion/entertainment/athletics? Is it bad to focus on such a thing or is it a good way to keep people accountable?
Religious Leaders
Political Figures
Bill Clinton
Chris Brown
O.J. Simpson
Tiger Woods
Joe Paterno
10-5-15: Church and State
What are the benefits of a society ruled by the Church? What are the negatives? Do you think the modern world would be better off if the church had more control over governmental affairs? Explain.
10–2-15: Outside Opinions
Some say you should not care what other people think of you. Others say nothing is more important than your personal honor. Explain how both of these ideas can exist in our culture when they seem to contradict each other.
SECTION #2 NOTEBOOK ENTRIES ABOVE THIS POINT
9-30-15: Seeking Truth
Is anyone truly open-minded? Do you think people actually want the truth about important/complex issues or simply seek affirmation for what they already believe about them? What examples can you think of to support your reasoning? What issues might such a mindset lead to?
9-28-15 - Logic vs. Emotion
What are the dangers of relying too much on emotion? What are the dangers of relying too much on logic? Which category do you think you tend to lean towards? Do you think either lifestyle leads to a happier or more successful life? Explain.
9-25-15: Self-Analysis
How often should you dwell on your own personality flaws or shortcomings? Do you think a person is better off constantly thinking about their areas of weakness or never thinking about them? What are the benefits of focusing on personal weaknesses? What are the negatives? Explain.
9-24-15: Generational Discipline
Do you think adults do certain things that inspire the very behavior in young people they wish to eliminate? If so, explain. If not, why do you think every generation seems to have differing viewpoints on discipline and behavior?
9–23-15: Fiction Vs. Nonfiction
Do you prefer to read nonfiction or fiction? Why? Is it acceptable for authors writing stories that are based on historical occurrences to “stretch” the truth or change details? Does the fact that something is “based on a true story” make it better or more effective than stories which are total fiction?
9-22-15: Peer Pressure
Is peer pressure as big of a deal as people say it is? In what ways do people think or act differently when they are alone as opposed to in a group? Are some people less susceptible to this behavioral change than others? If so, why?
9-21-15 - Fear as Motivation
Should fear ever be used as a motivator? Are there certain times when it is okay to use it in such a way and other times when it is not? Explain?
9-16-15 - Routine
What are the benefits and detriments of leading a routine driven life? Do your morning or evening schedules adhere to a strict routine? Is it possible to be successful without following some routine?
9-15-15 - American Values
Do you think righteousness/moral behavior is rewarded in modern America? Do you think it was more important/beneficial to be a moral person in the past than it is today? Is some level of morality necessary to be successful regardless of what one chooses to do? Explain.
9-14-15 - Morality/Work Ethic
Do you think morality and work ethic go hand in hand? Do people who care about right and wrong tend to be harder workers on average? Explain.
9-11-15: 9-11
What immediately comes to your mind when you think of the events of 9-11-2001 or the events of its aftermath? In what ways do you believe the country has changed since that day? Has it changed for the better or the worse? Explain.
9-9-15: Changes
What is the best way to handle a situation where major cultural or political changes you disagree with occur on a nationwide level? Should people in this situation ignore these changes, adapt to them, accept them, actively fight against them, or remove themselves from them? Explain.
9-8-15: Cultural Morality
How should we handle opposing opinions on morality that are rooted in cultural differences? Is there ever a time when it is okay for one group of people to impose their values on another group? Explain.
9-3-15 - Native Americans Today
What are your ultimate feelings toward the historical struggles of Native Americans? Is it wrong for a person who was not involved to feel a sense of personal responsibility or loss? Should today’s government make more of an effort to recognize Native American tradition/literature/culture now? Why or why not?
9-2-15: Questionable Material
How do you think schools should handle the study of literature that some might deem to contain inappropriate material? Explain.
9-1-15 - Cultural Differences
In a situation where two vastly different cultures collide, what do you consider to be the best way to handle the issues that arise over political, ethical, cultural, and religious differences?
8-31-15: Native American Literature
How significant do you consider Native American history/literature and how much time should be given to its study in mainstream American education? Explain.