Journal One
Before I Die, I Want to... by Candy Chang
4. 6 million total views
2012
4. 6 million total views
2012
For your first journal entry, take notes on her talk. What are some examples of inspirational comments, bits of wisdom, unique ideas that Chang presents? What are her purposes? How does she gain credibility? What appeals does she use? Support these observations with evidence. Write a creative prompt completing the statement, "Before I die, I want to....". Please, make sure that you respond with a full page of writing.
Journal Two
The Shared Experience of Absurdity by Charlie Todd
2.7 million views
May 2011
2.7 million views
May 2011
Take notes as you view and discuss in class. What are his purposes? How does he appeal to his audience? Do we trust him? Why or why not? Write a response to this: How is the idea of play important? or this: Select one of his statements or observations or intentions and respond to it.
Journal Three
The Happy Secret to Better Work by Shawn Achor
14.6 million views
May 2011
14.6 million views
May 2011
After taking notes and the class discussion, you have a couple of options on how to respond to this talk: 1) Jot down three "things" that for which you are grateful and discuss each 2) write a response detailing and analyzing "something" that you experienced in the last 24 hours that brought you joy 3) write about Achor's philosophy
Journal Four
The Dangers of a Single Story by Chimamanda Adichie
11.5 million views
June 2009
11.5 million views
June 2009
Write about what you have learned from listening Adichie and her thoughts about the dangers of a single story. How is her philosophy relevant today? How can single stories de-humanize a group of people? Do you have single-stories or misconceptions about others?
Journal Five
How to Make Stress Your Friend by Kelly McGonigal
12.7 million views
June 2013
12.7 million views
June 2013
Free Write: Write about the lessons you have learned from viewing this talk. What can you do the change the way you view stress?
Journal Six
Do Schools Kill Creativity?by Ken Robinson
43 million views
February 2006
43 million views
February 2006
Do schools really kill creativity? Write an argument and support it with concrete, specific details. In addition, try to offer a solution.
Journal Seven
Ten Ways to Have a Better Conversation by Celeste Headless
May 2015
6.5 million views
May 2015
6.5 million views
Are you a good at conversing with people? Ahte are your srengths? Weaknesses? Do you agree with all of Headlee's tips? Why or why not? What is the best conversation you have ever had? What made it so special?
Journal Eight
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Lee Duckworth
April 2013
10 million views
April 2013
10 million views
Do you have grit? Define and explain how this is or is not essential to success. What are some of her claims that you find interesting? Do you agree with her? Why or why not?
Journal Nine:
In the Mind of a Master Procrastinator by Tim Urban
February 2016
10.7 million views
February 2016
10.7 million views
Urban uses anthropomorphism (much like personification -- giving human traits to the non-living or to the abstract) to describe the causes and effects of procrastination. How is this strategy helpful? What have you discovered about procrastination? What has "the monkey" done to you? What about the "panic monster"? What is his ultimate purpose in presenting this talk? What are some of the more important plans, goals, activities you are procrastinating?
Journal Ten
The Prison of Your Mind by Sean Stephenson
2015
2 million views
2015
2 million views
Select one of Stephenson's comments or pieces of advice and write a response in which you agree/disagree/both with it. Make sure that you support your response with your personal experiences, observations, historical evidence, current event, etc.
Fifth Six Weeks
Journal Eleven
The Art of Misdirection by Apollo Robbins
June 2013
13 million views
June 2013
13 million views
First consider his purpose. What is he trying to do for us? Then, answer his question: What would you do if you had someone's full attention.
Journal Twelve
How to Spot a Liar by Pamela Meyer
July 2011
15.4 million views
July 2011
15.4 million views
Pamela Meyer teaches us how to spot a liar, not so that we can become better liars ourselves, but because she wants to encourage us to "go from lie spotting to truth seeking". Meyer claims that by being "more explicit about our moral code, we signal to everyone around us that our world is an honest world". Moreover, she argues that "lying is a cooperative act". When we allow people to lie to us, we imply that lying is okay. What are your thoughts on lying? On Meyer's observations about human nature and honesty? Do you believe that we can create an honest world?
Journal Thirteen
How to Get Better at the Things You Care About by Eduardo Briceno
Nov. 2016
956,000 views
Nov. 2016
956,000 views
1) Consider one skill, talent, obligation for which you would like to get better, and write a response that develops a plan. What do you need to do to spend more time in the "learning zone"? How can you reflect on the learning? Who can help you along the way? As always, be very specific and thoughtful. 2) What does Briceno specifically say that is thought-provoking or insightful? How does he make you look at your life differently? School differently? 3) Do you agree, disagree, or both with Briceno's philosophy? Support your opinion with solid, specific evidence.
Journal Fourteen
My Road Trip through the Whitest Towns in America by Rich Benjamin
May 2015
1.9 million views
May 2015
1.9 million views
Benjamin claims that we can have racism without having racists. Write a response in which you agree, disagree, or qualify his claim. Be sure to support your answer with evidence from your readings, observations, and real world events.
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