Tara Zanardi, “Fashioning the Duchess of Alba: Vicarious Thrills and Sartorial Flirtations during the Spanish Enlightenment”

After reading the article and taking good notes so that you have thought about the material, you are ready to write your Journal entry. Summarize the author’s thesis—what was this reading really about, in a nutshell? What are some of the main points in support of his/her argument? Paraphrase rather than quote—use your own words. What did you find particularly interesting or insightful about the reading? Is there anything you did not understand? Is there one line/a short sentence that really struck you as important? Length should be a few meaty paragraphs (around 800 words), more if you are inspired. This is like a mini-essay, use paragraph form and proper sentences and grammar.

1. In one or two sentences, what is the thesis/main argument/subject of the chapter/article?
2. What are three important points that you took away from the reading assignment? Select one or two points from the first third, one or two points from the second third, and the same from the last third of the reading. Use your own words, paraphrase, do not use quotes. Did you have any questions or parts that you didn’t understand? What new English words did you look up and learn?

Here is a suggested format to help you formulate your journal, use sentences and paragraphs like a little essay (you don’t need section headers), not point form or phrases:

1. Thesis:
2. Important points:
3. Important points from first third:
4. Important points from second third:
5. Important points from last third:
6. Concluding thoughts, your reactions/responses
7. Did you learn/look up any new English vocabulary?