Reading/Response Journal: Interpreting Literature, English 102, Fall 2014
Name: Dong Nguyen
Entry topic: Week Six Journal Date: Oct 04, 2014

I. Initial responses to pre-reading journal assignment
1. When you read or hear the phrase, “our secrets,” what comes to mind? Write a sentence or two in the space below that reflects on the phrase and what the speaker or writer might be referring to? If you were to use the phrase, what might you be referring to?

The thing come in my mind is the author is going to tell us some of her secrets. The writer might be referring to her family members. If I were to use the phrase, I might be referring to the secret of myself.

2. In the space below, list two or more scientific discoveries and/or technological advances which you believe have affected your quality of life in some way. What is it you already know about them? What else would you like to know?

Two technological advances which I believe have affected my quality of life in some way are Internet and cell phone. I alrealy know about the useful of them. For example, you do not take time go to visit your friends; the thing you can do nowadays is skyping or calling them. I would like to know about how and when they are created.

3. In the space below, list two or more historical figures, events and/or places in which you have an interest. What is it you already know about them? What else would you like to know?

Two historical places in which a have an interest are Angkor Wat (Cambodia) and Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy). I have traveled Angkor Wat in 2012. It was amazing temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world. The second place is Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy). The tower now leans at about 3.99 degrees. I want to know The height of the tower and when was it built.

4. In the space below, consider your family history and important events, people, and places that have special meaning to you. What is it you already know about them? What else would you like to know? About family history, I know that my family is from Vietnam. I would like to know that who is my ancestor. Important event that have special meaning to me is I left my family to study abroad. I would like to know that how it will affect me in the future. My family and my close friends are very important to me. Finally, place that have special meaning to me is my home in Vietnam.

II. Summaries of small-group and whole-class discussions

1. We all agree that secret keep at another people if every else knows. Secret is a thing that you would share it with a few people, no more than a three people or it could also be individual. In class we also discussed that what happens if secret is in uncover. The answers of some students are it can hurt people and some time it need to be release.

2. It is interesting that we all use the example of internet and cellphone in my group. We all agree that they are very useful. However, sometime it change that how can you look at the world. Sometime you don’t have to remember your close friend’s cellphone numbers because you have it in your cellphone, technology makes you depends on it if you do not know how to use it properly.

3. We all have the different historical places in which we have an interest.

4. All members in our group agree that we all know where is our family come from. Every one has different important event. We also agree that family has special meaning to us.

III. Trajectory paragraph plus responses given to three other students on Discussion Board, Topic #3

The term “trajectory” can be metaphorically applied to my life because I view life as going in a straight line. It would be a line that regularly increases and may have some obstacles along the way. However, when it meets obstacles, it does not stop, it keeps going steadily. These obstacles will help me become brave and mature. So far, my “trajectory” started from birthdate, graduation in primary, secondary, and high school. Currently I am freshman and I will make another important point in my trajectory which is graduating university in next 3 or 4 years. I am not sure where is my end point but I hope that I will achieve what I desire before the end point happens.

3 comments:
I like how you described trajectory and how you included examples of linear as a boring life.
I like the way you describe your curve and it might go up and down. And it is great to think that your curve is a positive curve!
I enjoyed how you described trajecotry which are two different ways points you have already passed and points you strive to pass in the future.

IV. Responses and reactions to read-aloud of first four pages of Griffin's "Our Secret."

1. What connections do you see between the various sections?

Different characters’ fears and secrets.

2. What subjects does the author touch upon?

V-1 rocket, missle, Heinrich Himmler, Leo, Helene, and everyone else even though she is different than all of them.

3. What might be connections between the subjects that she does not explicitly bring forward?

Each person’s history is somehow connected with the next person’s, and each story contributes equally to the larger view of history.

4. Also, begin to develop a code that notes the kind of writing she uses in each segment to present the various subject threads. Does she reflect, explicate, analyze, reminisce, describe, narrate, and/or argue?

At first, her description begins with a nucleus. Griffin tells what happens to the nucleus, and how the inner-workings of the nucleus develops into a cell, which gives rise to many cells. Later in the essay, Griffin explains how the one missile develops into a bigger and more effective missile. She describes Himmler’s childhood.