Date: 1/23/07

Title: “What is Intelligence, Anyway?” by Isaac Asimov

 

Type of material:

Short non-fiction essay.

 

Where you got it:

Found it online at http://www.haverford.edu/writingprogram/Asimov.html

Why you picked it:

I’m interested in what makes people intelligent

 

Time reading:

Amount read:

10 minutes

All of it.

Response:

 

I didn’t find out what makes people intelligent, but I found out that Asimov thinks there are different kinds of intelligence.

 

 In other words, some people are intelligent when it comes to reading and writing, and other people may be intelligent when it comes to using their hands. 

 

I wonder if we can change our intelligence by practice? 

 

Certainly, practice helps us get better at something, but does it increase our intelligence, whatever that is?

 

(75 words)

 

 

Date:  1/19/07

Title: “Secrets of Straight-A Students” by Edwin and Sally Kiester, from Reader’s Digest, 2005.

 

Type of material:

Magazine article, non-fiction

 

Where you got it:

Magazine in doctor’s office.

Why you picked it:

It might help me in school

 

Time reading:

Amount read:

20 minutes.

All of it.

Response:

 

Wow, it was interesting to find that the straight-A students were also in sports and other stuff.  And they weren’t always the nerds or unpopular.

 

I realized that I don’t do a lot of these secrets, and I could probably improve my grades if  I tried of couple of them.

 

I don’t think I’ll “Do more than I’m asked!”  I am pretty busy with work and school already!

 

But I do think a study buddy would help.  And I know I am shy, but I am going to promise myself to ask at least one question each class if I am not sure about something.  Butler also said that “Speaking up” was a very important college skill, so I am going to do it!

 

[124 words]