Impromptu Journal

Overview:

Impromptu is about being able to think fast and organize your thoughts.  One way to do that is to condense complex ideas into short talking points you can easily recall. In this activity, your task is to write three impromptu journal entries. These entries will help you develop and record potential examples for use in your actual speech. You will want to choose things that interest you, but use examples from a variety of areas. For instance, you might include one work of fiction, one piece of innovative technology, and one famous person. If you are stuck for ideas, the following sites can be useful:

This Day in History: This site reviews major historical events that share the current day's date.

Wired: This site has a wealth of quirky stories with an emphasis on innovative technology.

Time 100: Time magazine profiles the 100 most influential people in the world.

When you are done, you will post your entries for others to see. Then, you will leave feedback on others' entries.

Instructions:

For each impromptu journal entry, you will include the following:

1) Type of Example. Indicate whether it is a theory, historical event, famous person, etc.

2) Background & Significance. Include information such as names, dates, and significance.

3) Themes. Include broad theme(s)—perseverance, passion, greed—the example illustrates.

4) Talking Points. Include a short explanation  that includes highlights and key points.

Your entries should follow the format of the samples below.

Sample 1

Type: Theory (Cyborg Manifesto)

Background & Significance: Donna Haraway (1944-present). Published “A Cyborg Manifesto” in 1985. Influential in biology and postmodern feminism. Awarded the J.D. Bernal Award in 2000.

Themes:

Innovation

Oppression/Liberation

Perception

Talking Points: The perceived state of being male or female is constructed through discourse and social practices that essentialize gender identity. In the process of trying to unite women by identifying universal similarities, women are divided because those who don’t fit within the definition are excluded and are not seen as “real women.” For Haraway, the Cyborg is a way to move beyond the social and cultural expectations of what it means to be a man or woman and into a post-gender world.

Sample 2

Type: Organization (SEWA)

Background & Significance: Self-Employed Women’s Association. 1974.

Themes:

Perseverance

Self-actualization

Empowerment

Talking Points: In 1974 in India, 4,000 women opened the SEWA bank. The bank is owned by the women, and the policies are determined by their own elected board. The goal of the bank is to provide credit and empower the women. One of their many accomplishments is helping women gain access to drinking water. The bank helps women to build water structures—wells, ponds, hand-pumps—and gives them the agency to manage these through their own committees. Women are employed and empowered, allowing them to meet their basic needs and strive toward fulfillment as human beings.

Post three entries in the space below. Then, view someone else's entries and leave feedback.