Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Reading Response Journals (RRJs) are an informal space for you to explore the
readings as well as your own reading process. The first step to writing an RRJ is to
read carefully, taking notes on the text as you go. RRJs should include the following:
In this section of reading, Dana is forced to deal with the pain of the beating by
herself. However, she is later drawn back in time to the scene of a fight between
Isaac and Rufus. Isaac leaves Rufus bruised and bleeding for the actions that he
took against Alice, Isaacs wife. When Dana stumbles upon this scene, she
immediately hopes to get Isaac and Alice to freedom, despite Rufus protests. The
remainder of the reading focuses on Danas attempts to help Rufus, despite her
protests against the traditions of the society that she has wandered back to. In
addition to these conflicts, she is reintroduced to some of the characters, as time has
passed since her beating. These reintroductions allows her to realize the changes
2. Your response to the reading (5-8 sentences) including your opinions about
and reaction to the assigned chapters. This section is a place to think deeply
about the book and the emotions and complex ideas it brings up for you.
This particular reading was interesting in that it allowed readers to peer more into
the lives of the characters. From the start, it appealed to ones emotion from the
very start in that readers learned about how Dana had to deal with the aftermath of
her beating alone. Additionally, it was difficult to swallow the mere fact that she
was completely alone, with no sign of Kevin throughout the entire reading.
Although it is already clear that slaves and African Americans were treated harshly,
it is still difficult to hear the perspectives that they offer up. Additionally, this book
offers up a very interesting perspective with Dana. She is forced to understand the
3. An explanation of your reading process. How did this weeks reading go for
you? Discuss specific sections that made you confused or questions that you have
about the text. Point out strategies that helped you overcome challenges in your
This part of the text made me think of _________ from my other class or
other text/reading.
This reading went well for me because it was clear and to the point about the
changing lives of the characters. The most challenging thing or parts involved
reading about the pain that Dana and the others felt in their lives because of the way
society treated them. The strategies I used to figure things out included taking small
moments to relate to these characters and empathize with their pain. I remembered
that earlier in the book I also felt saddened by the troubles that they faced. This part
of the text made me think of other stories from the perspectives of slaves from other
classes.
4. 35 significant words from this particular readingwords that you feel are
important or give meaning to the chapter, or that you have decided to learn to develop
your academic vocabulary explain the significance of these words to you or the text.
Type the words that you found significant here with your explanations
pain: This word is significant because Dana is forced to face immense pain from
her beating alone, without the help of Kevin or another other support.
trauma: Trauma is evident in the lives of many of the characters, and Dana is forced
tolerance: Many of the white characters are only mildly tolerant of Dana because
she appears knowledgeable. However, it becomes clear that they are willing to turn
on her easily.
5. 2 discussion questions. These should be openended questions that could lead to
You will receive complete credit on every RRJ (20 points) by thoughtfully
completeness, and by turning your RRJ in on time. The RRJs are a space for you to
think through the readings without having to worry too much about grammar,
However, do follow basic rules such as capitalizing I and using appropriate language.