Vargo-English

Commonplace Books

What is a commonplace book?The genre of the commonplace book has been around, in various forms, for hundreds of years. In the early modern, or renaissance, era, they were an individual’s collection of quotes, wisdom, or thoughts compiled into a blank book. By the 19th century, CP books expanded to include the individual’s written thoughts, commentary, or essays, as well as things like recipes, letters, and even pressed flowers. Scholars now define commonplace books as a manuscript by an individual that collects material along a common theme (for our purposes, this means anything that relates to what we read and/or talk about in class and topics that you select).

What are the goals and requirements of the CP book?The goal of the CP book is to promote further active engagement, beyond class discussion, and to encourage your development as a writer. The CP book represents a consistent commitment to reading, thinking, and writing. The foundation for the commonplace book entry is a written section of 250 or 500 words in length (based on age/grade level). This sounds like a lot, but it really isn’t. 500 words is the equivalent of about 2 full, typed, double-spaced pages. The entry can be handwritten neatly or typed and pasted into the CP book. If you use paste or glue, be sure to allow for adequate drying time so that pages don’t stick together.

Basic requirements:

Four 500 (or 250 for 9th graders) word entries of your own writing Analytical writing (**BIG ONE**) A visual element for each entry

The images MUST be one of the following:•Create a new image through collage (5 or more images)•Thoughtfully alter an image (speech bubble, cutting, adding drawing)•Create a diagram and show relationships

3 choice entries (can use website if you want) and 1 required entry Neatly written, or typed Cut neatly with scissors Pasted or taped in neatly

How do I begin to write excellent entries?On the class website (www.ericksonenglish.com) you will find many ideas to get you started. The choice is up to you. Write about what you’re interested. Write about your passions, pop culture, music, places you’d like to visit, jobs you’d like to have, the person you’d love to become, what you love/hate about your life, issues happening in The United States or the world. This is an opportunity for you to write about what you want to write about.

1) Your goal should be to write analytically. For example, you shouldn’t just describe soccer as your favorite sport. Instead you could analyze why you think that soccer is such a popular sport around the entire world. Or perhaps you analyze the stereotypes associated with soccer players and explore if you believe they are true or not. Or maybe you analyze the importance of soccer in third world countries in regard to identity. Move past the obvious and into the realm of analysis. Take intellectual risks.

2) Don’t wait until the last minute! Your work will suffer if you do. Instead, bring your CP book home and set aside time to work on it. As you go through your day (attending classes and meetings, talking with friends, posting on Facebook/Twitter/social media, reading homework or websites, listening to music, watching the news or TV, seeing a movie, etc.), always try to be on the lookout for things that will make an excellent CP book entry and jot them down or print them out so you don’t forget!

How do I write analytically instead of descriptively?Use the list below to understand the difference between analysis and description. Then try a few out.

DESCRIPTION ANALYSISI describe going to the movies to see 12 Years a Slave and tell what the movie was about.

I analyze what impact the movie had on me, or I analyze what the filmmaker did well or poorly. I could analyze whether this film accurately portrayed slavery (perhaps I look up an article to see what scholars or researchers say about this).

I describe one of my hobbies (piano playing), how long I’ve been doing it, and how I like it.

I analyze the importance of piano playing in my life, in culture, and in the world in general, or I analyze some of the stereotypes associated with piano players and discuss whether they are true or not. I could also write about the different ways that pianos have changed and developed as instruments and/or cultural icons over time.

I describe a musician/song/artist (like The Beatles) and explain what the song means.

I compare the song “Yesterday” to another song (by the same artist or another) such as The Flaming Lips’ “Yoshimi battles the Pink Robots” and analyze the use of time as a theme in both, or analyze the similar and different musical qualities. I could also pick a song/music video (perhaps Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off” and analyze whether I think the video has elements of racism or appropriation).

I describe an event or significant moment in the news(recently or historically).

I analyze my perceptions of this moment, bring in personal experience, cultural context, or compare to other moments in history.

I describe the different groups/cliques of people at Huron High.

(try to make this one analytical on your own…)

I describe the different places that I have lived.

(try this one too…)

I still don’t know what to write about…Remember: The main goals of the commonplace book are analytical thinking and making connections! Think about what interests you from any areas: history, science, music, art, health & fitness, sports, pop culture, politics.

Be clever, smart, and inventive in your choice of what to write about.

Check out the resources on the class Weebly site for topic ideas: http://meganvargo.weebly.com/cp-books.html How will CP books be graded?

Once per quarter you will have 4 entries due. You earn two grades:

Grade 1 (completion): 25/25 for completing all 4 entries (including 4 high quality images).Grade 2 (graded): 25/25 based on the rubric below.

From each set, I will select ONE entry at random to grade and provide comments on. Your commonplace books IS NOT graded on grammar, but there must be evidence of analytical thinking and writing.

Graded entries will be based on the following rubric:

5/25 point: The substantially below-average entry done with very minimal effort, as if the student is merely writing to take up space. This entry does not meet the required length, lacks a focused topic, does not analyze adequately, and/or contains lots of filler. It may not include an image or may include a poorly created image. This entry may also be tucked into the CP book or sloppily attached instead of trimmed and pasted or taped neatly to fit the margins of the CP book.

11/25 points: The average entry that merely repeats ideas or summarizes a source without analyzing, or making any connections or leaps of thought. This entry may make an interesting point or two, but does not succeed at showing that the student has come

to a broader understanding of the topic. It may seem scattered or rushed and it may not include an image or may include a poorly created image. This entry may also be tucked into the CP book or sloppily attached instead of trimmed and pasted or taped neatly to fit the margins of the CP book.

17/25 points: The very good entry that moves beyond repetition or summary and attempts to analyze, and, ultimately, to bring together new information with the student’s prior knowledge, understanding, or experience. This entry may come up short in length, or short in analysis, or may not do its topic justice. The image has been attempted and may or may not be successful. This entry is usually trimmed and pasted or taped neatly to fit the margins of the CP book.

25/25 points: The excellent, ideal entry analyzes one or more resources, or uses information as an opportunity for self-reflection, shows new insight into an issue, idea, or theme, and must include an image. Images provide additional insight into what’s being discussed instead of merely serving as illustrations. The image shows considerable thoughtfulness and inventiveness. A reader can look at the image and have a clear sense of what the writing will be about. The write may also choose to analyze the image in the written entry in order to add to your overall point. If there are excerpts from (or copies of) resources included along with the entry, they have relevant words or portions highlighted or underlined. All materials are trimmed and pasted or taped neatly to fit the margins of the CP book.

Example images – what could the writing that goes with each image be about?