<p> AP Biology Reading Journal</p><p>Aside from partying, the thing you’re probably going to do most in college is read. Assuming you’re at all serious about your education, you’ll read so much that words will come out your ears. Unfortunately, much of what you read will also go pouring out your ears, or so it will seem looking back.</p><p>One of the best habits you can develop in college — or even in high school, if you have the discipline — is to keep an academic reading journal. This is more or less what it sounds like: a journal recording everything you read, with an added layer of academic analysis. The idea is, you record what you read, key ideas and quotes from the text, and your own reflections on the work, allowing you to fairly accurately recreate your initial reading at a later date, perhaps a much later date.</p><p>Why do this? There are several reasons. First, because if you’re smart, you’ll use material from one class as source material for research papers in later classes, and it’s better to have that material at hand rather than having to re-read the book. Second, because you will often come across the same material, or material by the same author, later in your education, and can go back and review your initial impressions. And third, because while much of what you’re being asked to read now might not seem fairly relevant, you’ll be surprised, 10, 20, or more years down the line what you find yourself wishing you could remember of some book or article you read as a sophomore.</p><p>Creating your AP Biology Reading Journal An academic reading journal doesn’t have to be anything fancy — in theory, a composition book or notepad will suffice, provided it’s durable enough to last many years. Even better, a hardbound diary or Moleskine-style journal will give you plenty of space in a durable format. If you’re technologically inclined, a personal wiki, word processor file, or even database can be used on your PC. The point is, you’ll have to figure out the medium that’s most comfortable for you, comfortable enough that you’ll use it consistently.</p><p>Journal entries should correspond to approximately one per chapter. Before you begin reading, record in your journal answers to the following questions: 1) Do you have any prior knowledge of the subject matter? If so, what is it, and how did you acquire it? 2) What are your expectations in reading this book, either for knowledge acquisition or other areas of interest? To what questions do you hope to find answers? </p><p>There is no standard for what an academic reading journal entry should look like, but I recommend capturing the following pieces of information:</p><p>A full bibliographic citation. Use whatever style is prevalent in your field, or whatever you know best: MLA, APA, or anything else. It doesn't matter, so long as you make sure to get all the pieces of information you’ll need to produce a bibliography in any style necessary. A short synopsis of the book or article. This can be copied from the back cover text or abstract, or just sketched out in your own words. Quotes from your reading. Copy out any quotes you would otherwise highlight or underline — anything you think captures some essential point in the text. You don’t have to do this as you read, if you prefer to read with a highlighter or underline — copy them out when you’re done, in that case. Make sure you get the page number(s). A personal response to your reading. 200 or so words capturing your impression of what you’ve read. Why is it important (or not important)? What is the author trying to say? Who was influenced by it, or influenced it? Questions raised by the text. Challenge your reading material! Think of a set of questions the material leaves unanswered, or that undermine the conclusions reached. These questions might eventually form the basis of a research project or larger critique. Any other notes, thoughts, arguments, or feelings about what you’ve read. When you start your journal keep print out a template that you can keep in the back pocket to remind you of what you should include in your entries.</p><p>After you finish the book, give yourself a few days to let it all sink in. Then, using your journal to jog your memory, write a 3-5-page paper addressing your thoughts about the book. Note that this is not a book report, but a reflective analysis of something about the book that you found memorable. The following questions should serve as inspiration as you frame your paper: </p><p>1) Did the book meet your expectations? 2) Were your questions answered? What did you learn? 3) What questions remain, and/or what new questions arose as a result of your reading this book? 4) What did you like best about the book (this can be content, the author’s attitudes, the style of writing – anything!) 5) What “big picture” ideas did the book make you think about? 6) Is the author making an argument? If so, on what points are you persuaded? On what points are you not persuaded? </p><p>Both the journal and the paper must be handed in for credit. Your completed assignment is due on Friday August 16, 2013. </p><p>NOTE: If you wish to request an extension because your summer plans preclude your being able to complete this assignment by the due date, you must petition for the extension IN WRITING by July 15, 2013. E-mail a brief note explaining your circumstances to me, Mrs. Villalobos. You will receive an answer by e-mail by the end of the day.</p>