The nature of Crime Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The nature of Crime - Essay Example However, an understanding of both these theories is important because they help in knowing the nature of crime. The central proposition made by the strain theory is the idea that social structures and individual situations within a society may be the causes of crimes since the strain put on the individual due to them encourages criminal behavior. This theory emerges from the work of Émile Durkheim and has been further developed by many social scientists following in his footsteps (Cullen, & Agnew, 2006). With regard to the strain which causes crime, there are two possible sources i.e. social structures and individual experiences (Miller et. al., 2002). The first one comes from the social structures which define how the needs of an individual are to be satisfied. If the social structures are inadequate, especially with regard to satisfying the needs of the middle class, then more people from the middle class may turn to crime if they see a lack of opportunities and have limited means (Miller et. al., 2002). Therefore, in this respect, the blame for criminal activity or the increased rate of crime comes from a failure of social institutions rather than individual negligence. The second strain can come from the individual since the experience of a person within society can lead him/her to a life of crime (Wikipedia, 2006). For example, if a middle class person sees enough things which lead him to desire more than his/her means then s/he may choose to do things which are illegal to attain those things (Miller et. al., 2002). Of course that person may not actually need those things for their basic survival but the creation of the need can come from their own experiences. Similar to the strain theory, the social disorganization theory also focuses on the relationship between the individual and the social setup. However, the primary focus

Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) For Vehicles

Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) For Vehicles During deceleration, traditional brake of a vehicle transforms the kinetic energy into thermal energy. This is due to the fact that when brakes are applied the friction between the brakes shoe or the calliper as used in modern disc brakes and the wheel not only restricts the motion of the wheel but at the same time a lot of heat energy is generated due to this braking action. Unfortunately there is a huge waste of the generated energy in the form of heat as a large amount of it dissipates into the air. Hence in order to make use of this heat energy, the idea of kinetic energy recovery for vehicles has been explored. Although this system is in use in motorsport and other few selected high performance fields, method like using regenerative brake to generate electric energy is already used in hybrid cars. However, transforming the mechanical energy into an electrical form has a limited efficiency and is not an easy task, but requires complex mechanical systems. Working By using acceleration sensor controlled gear box, acceleration and deceleration could be performed by the transfer of mechanical energy between the vehicle and its energy storing unit, thus reduce energy consumption. The design contains three basic parts: a control unit, an infinitely continuously variable transmission gearbox and an energy storing unit. There are two possible solutions for the energy storing unit: a big torsion spring or a flywheel. Both the two solutions work with the system. THE SPRING SYSTEM: During deceleration of a train, instead of using break, the wheels are connected to a torsion spring with the help of the gearbox. This in turn transforms the kinetic energy into the springs potential energy. However, the spring does not provide constant torque, according to Hookes law. In order to perform stable deceleration, the sensor controlled gearbox changes the gear ratio through a continuously variable transmission mechanism. The desired deceleration rate is determined by the driver. The acceleration sensor senses the actual deceleration rate and gives accurate feedback. Through a feedback control loop, the gear ratio is adjusted continuously and deceleration rate can be maintained at the desired level. In cases when spring has its maximum load, normal braking is activated. When the train stops, the spring will be held. When the train starts again, instead of using its engine or motor, the gear box connects the spring to the wheels but in an opposite way to drive the train. T he acceleration torque provided by the spring decreases with the release of the spring. Again, through sensor feedback control loop, the transmission gear ratio is adjusted continuously to maintain the acceleration rate. Once the spring is fully released, the motor is again activated. THE FLYWHEEL SYSTEM: System with a flywheel works in a similar way. Energy is stored into the wheel by increasing of the spinning speed. In order to provide constant torque transmission gear ratio need to change. With the implementation of acceleration feedback control, the braking output could be adjusted through changing the transmission gear ratio. The kinetic energy could be completely (except the loss on bearings and transmission gears) stored during braking and given back during acceleration. This system could work with both combustion engines and electric motors. Thus the limited energy recourses could be saved. KERS is essentially an energy-storing flywheel attached to an efficient Continuously Variable Transmission. Under braking, energy that would usually be expended as heat is instead used to accelerate the flywheel. When needed the power can then be used to augment that of the internal combustion engine What makes the system green isnt the added performance, but the use of energy that has traditionally been wasted. Working and Specification Kinetic Energy Recovery System  (KERS) is the word which is being associated with Formula 1 cars and has been in the Headlines for quite a while. All 2010 Formula 1 cars feature KERS as an integral part after it was made mandatory by FIA to be installed and is currently being manufactured by  Flybrid Systems. What is KERS? KERS  as the name suggests is an energy recovery system also known as regenerative system but importantly the KERS is quite advanced than the conventional energy recovery systems. The mechanism functions in a way that it reduces the speed of the vehicle by converting some of its kinetic energy and/or potential energy( in case of elevations) and storing it into a useful form of energy instead of dissipating it as heat as seen in conventional dynamic braking system. Technically KERS can be defined as an Electric generation, storage, and propulsion system generating electricity during slow down or braking, storing it in batteries, and later assisting the gasoline engine by boosting acceleration with the help of electric drive motors. The device will be installed in F1 cars to save energy utilized while braking, store it and further use it when required. KERS is of two types one mechanical and the other electrical. What does KERS contains? The system basically consists of a CVT( Continuously Variable Transmission ) unit , a clutch, an epicyclic gearbox and a flywheel (The mechanical type contains a FLYWHEEL to retain power while the Electrical type contains an electric motor twinned with a BATTERY or CAPACITOR or FLYWHEEL) Working of Kinetic Energy Recovery System The engine drives the KERS system and it is coupled with the drivetrain. The drive comes into the CVT unit which effectively changes the gear ratio in accordance with the flywheel and rotates the flywheel. The control pistons seamlessly change the gear ratios between the input and the flywheel moving at a much faster rate than the actual drive (5:1 ratio at 64,000 rpm). The amount of energy stored or released depends upon the torque transfer taking place within the CVT unit, which is controlled by the position of the levers. Conclusion KERS is a particularly appealing proposition for road-going vehicles because of its lack of weight and relative simplicity over the energy storing systems in current hybrids like the Toyota Prius. KERS doesnt need batteries and is therefore free of their weight and the environmental impact that comes from creating and disposing of them. In city riding KERS would have a significant impact on emissions, providing emissions-free power for initial acceleration away from stoplights and similar. In performance applications the system could provide on-demand extra power for overtaking or accelerating hard out of corners, using power that wouldve normally been wasted as brake heat on corner entry. More power using less fuel can be easily achieved.

Cyberterrorism Essay -- Cyber Terrorism Internet

Cyberterrorism Introduction Cyberterrorism is the convergence of terrorism and cyberspace. It is generally understood to mean unlawful attacks and threats of attack against computers, networks, and the information stored therein. Possibly to intimidate, influence a government or its people to further political or social gain. To qualify as cyberterrorism, an attack should result in violence against persons or property, or generate fear. Attacks that lead to death or bodily injury, explosions, plane crashes, water contamination, or severe economic loss would be examples, serious attacks against important infrastructures could be acts of cyberterrorism, depending on their impact. This essay will illustrate and analyse the main issues and ideas behind cyberterrorism. This will include information that has led to the internet being used in a mailicous way, ethical issues, paradigms that cyberterrorism follows, motivations and incidents that have occurred in the past. One FBI spokespersons definition is- 'Cyber terrorism' means intentional use or threat of use, without legally recognized authority, of violence, disruption, or interference against cyber systems, when it is likely that such use would result in death or injury of a person or persons, substantial damage to physical property, civil disorder, or significant economic harm'. Cyber attacks and effects Cyberspace is constantly under assault. Cyber spies, thieves, saboteurs, and thrill seekers break into computer systems, steal personal data and trade secrets, vandalize Web sites, disrupt service, sabotage data and systems, launch computer viruses and worms, conduct fraudulent transactions, and harass individuals and companies. These attacks are facilitated with increasingly powerful and easy-to-use software tools, which are readily available for free from thousands of Web sites on the Internet. Many of the attacks are serious and costly. The ILOVEYOU virus for example, was estimated to have infected tens of millions of users and cost billions of dollars in damage. In light of these serious threats from cyberspace, it is worth noting that the discourse on cyberterrorism is something that – fortunately has not been carried out in its most destructive capabilities. It is, therefore, d... ...ital world today. In addition to cyberattacks against digital data and systems, many people are being terrorized on the Internet today with threats of physical violence. On line stalking, death threats, and hate messages are abundant. These crimes are serious and must be addressed. In so doing, governments around the world will be in a better position to police and respond to cyberterrorism if and when the threat becomes imminent. Sources Author Unknown. "Cyber Terrorism: Understanding Cyber Threats" https://www.hamiltoncountyohio-tewg.org/cyber_terrorism/ Aldo Leon. "The New Age of Cyberterrorism" http://www.sabianet.com/Res_The%20New%20Age%20of%20Cyberterrorism.pdf Dorothy E. Denning. "Cyberterrorism" http://palmer.wellesley.edu/~ivolic/pdf/USEM/Cyberterror-Denning.pdf Mohamed Chawki. "A Critical Look at the Regulation of Cybercrime" http://www.crime-research.org/library/Critical.doc. Robert Malà ½. "Virtual communities and cyber terrorism" http://www.unob.cz/spi/2007/presentace/2007-May-03/06-Jirovsky_CyberTer.ppt. Peter Reilly. "How Real is the Threat of Cyber Terrorism?" http://www2.lhric.org/security/desk/letter8.html

My walk with the Lord

I realized I needed the Lord as a teenager. Because I grew up in a Christian home, and went to church on a regular basis, I never really experienced that close and personal relationship with the Lord. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I grew close to Christ. My father fought stomach cancer for two years, and the three months he spent at home with our family taught me to rely on God for everything. It was only through prayer and reading Bible passages that I was able to be strong as my father passed away. This was a tumultuous period for me; I was begging God for more time with my father, and praying for Him to ease my father’s pain. Instead of God healing my father, he showed me that Jesus is alive and with us. I was desperate to walk with Jesus Christ, and He helped me to see that He was with my father and my family. I always understood that Jesus is our Savior, yet I didn’t truly believe that He is alive in our heart, until my father’s illness. That was when I felt the promise that He would always listen to my prayers and be with me. The Spirit guided me through my prayers during different times, especially during my junior year in high school. I have faith in eternal life and a strong conviction that I could never obtain through education, but only by experience in Jesus Christ. As a result, I have decided I will do whatever God leads me to do until the day I get to meet my father in heaven. I now truly understand the principles and ideas being taught in my church, and I have begun applying them to my own life. I have learned that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above (James 1:17) and also that if I ask, it shall be given; seek, and I shall find; knock and it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7). These lessons, although filled with a joyful promise, have not always come easy. There have been times I have prayed so much for something, to have it not happen or to not be fulfilled. It has taken many years to understand that The Lord’s path is the right path, and my way is not always what is best for me. Often times, however, I have been able to see God’s plan for me, after the fact, and was thankful that e is in control of my life. Any problems or questions I find in my life, I have learned that I can turn to the scriptures for the answers, like a handbook for life. I also know that the Lord is with me at all times. Like in Psalms 23, probably one of the most well-known verses, I know that The Lord is my Shepard, and I shall not want. And Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me. In times of solitude or despair, I have taken comfort from this passage. My walk with The Lord is a constant journey. Each day I learn more and trust in His grace further. Although at times it is hard to trust in the unknown, I have put all of my heart into Him, and I know that He will provide for me. Because I realize this, I hope to help others to also understand and come to know Jesus. He has said, in Luke 16:15-16, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. I want to live my life for Christ. I want others to see His good works through me. I want to continue to grow in His Almighty grace and spirit. I want to help unbelievers experience the incredible rock that I have found to help me through good times and bad, and to know the one I call Jesus.

Federalists vs Democrats 18th Century Essay

Throughout the 1790s the birth of American political parties emerged. Many of Americas founding fathers hated the idea of political parties because they represented political parties came about because of the difference in opinions among the population. The newborn constitution brought about issues such as north and south, rich and poor, and agriculture vs. industries that would revolutionize the way people in America thought, and their beliefs, thus giving birth to political parties. The political parties were divided as follows. There was Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist, and his followers who believed in a strong central government that would support their interests in commerce and industry. Amongst the Federalists supporters were some of the most influential men of the time, including: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and John Jay. These men had great opposition to the constitution and wrote about them in their â€Å"Federalist Papers† and were read all across the nation. The Federalists wanted to solve the issues of the nation themselves. Thomas Jefferson was categorized as a Democratic-Republican. The Republicans believed in a decentralized agrarian republic in which federal government had limited powers. The two parties struggled against each other heavily in the beginning. After the ratification of Jays Treaty in 1794, providing a somewhat sugar-coated commercial relationship, awoke differing opinions between the Federalists and the Republicans. In one corner stood John Adams, federalist, supporting the ratification of Jays Treaty because it avoided war and continued trade. On the other side there was Jefferson, Democratic-Republican, who believed the treaty left doors open for the British to continue abuses of power such as impressment. For a long time, opposing political parties consumed what was the â€Å"media† of the era and created an opinion among the people. Although with its great efforts and philosophers, the Federalist party soon seized to exist, and for years the Democratic-Republicans regulated what is the United States.

When Should I Take the ACT for the First Time

When Should I Take the ACT for the First Time SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Are you starting to ask yourself, When should I take the ACT for the first time?The answer to this is a little more complex thanthe question. There are several factors to consider here, so let's review them so you can make an informed decision. First, when do most students take the ACT for the first time? Typical ACT Schedule Many students take the ACT two or three times to try to improve and hit their target scores. They take it for the first time in the fall of junior year, again in the spring, and for the final time in the fall of senior year. This schedule is a solid plan for a lot of students and gives them a good balance between schoolwork, test prep, and college applications. Apart from the pros of this typical schedule, there are a few cons to consider. The first and foremost is that it limits your available test dates. While the ACT is offered 6times throughout the year, in September, October, December, February, April, and June, realistically you'll need time between each test sitting to prep effectively and see score improvements. Taking the ACT in the fall of junior year leaves most studentswith about three test dates to hit their target scores. This might be totally sufficient for some students, but others might benefit from having more chances to take the ACT. Having more test dates protects you if you have a fluke testing day and get sick or can't sleep the night before. Starting earlier so you have more test datesmight also take off some of the pressure, because you won't feel like you're running out of time to achieve your scores. Let's look closer at some reasons why many students step outside this typical test-taking schedule and sign up to take the ACT earlier than the fall of junior year. Why Would You Take the ACT Early? As I touched on briefly above, one major motivation for signing up your first ACT earlier than junior year is simply to give yourself more test dates, and thus more opportunities, to hit your target scores. More Test Dates Let's say you take the ACT in the fall of sophomore year. Your scores are okay, but you think you can make them even better. You have a sense of what you need to study to improve and focus your test prep on those sections or question types. Then you take it again in the spring of sophomore year. If you're still not satisfied, you still have a bunch more test dates to choose from and over a year to keep prepping. Just starting a year earlier could double your opportunities to take the ACT. This could help relieve stress and safeguard you in case anything unexpected comes up and interferes with testing day. Rather than pushing your test dates up against your college application deadlines, you can separate these two pursuits and give yourself more space to breathe and take your time. At the same time, you only want to sign up for and take the ACT if you've put in some test prep first. You want to study for at least 10 hours to familiarize yourself with the format, timing, and instructions of the test. However, in our experience, something like 100 hours of total study time is better to gain expertise and see a real improvement in your approach, understanding, and scores. If you're taking the ACT early, you also should prep early. While taking the real test is valuable experience, you also shouldn't take any real tests with absolutely zero preparation. In rare cases, a huge score change between your first and second test could alert ACT scorers and lead to them withholding or even canceling your scores. So moving your first ACT test date up a year or two should also coincide with moving your prep schedule up. Another reason you might take this approach is if you're "superscoring" the ACT and building up your scores one section at a time. You're Superscoring the ACT Many colleges superscore the ACT, or take your highest section scores across all test dates and recombine them into a new, highest composite score. Not a lot of students know that theycan actually use this policy to their advantage by "superscoring" their tests, just like the colleges. What I mean by superscoring your tests is that you can strategically build up your ACT superscore section by section. On one test date, for example, you could focus a lot of your prep and energy on getting a high Reading score. The next you could focus intensively on English, then on math, and then on science (or focus on two or three sections at a time). As long as your colleges take your highest section scores, and not your highest "sitting" score on one date, then you might get a high ACT score gradually, rather than all at once. Just as I mentioned above, you don't want to treat any test date or section as a "throwaway," because huge fluctuations could be a red flag to colleges or the ACT scorers. For the most part, you can choose which score reports to send to colleges, but some require that you send all your scores across all testing dates and expect you to be honest and comply with this policy. When designing your testing schedule, you want to be aware of your colleges' policy towards standardized tests and countit in as an important factor. If your collegesdon't require all scores, then really you could take the ACT as many times as you want (well, technically you can take it a maximum of 12 times). But I wouldn't suggest going past 6 times, as it could start to be a waste of time and money. Plus if you're finding yourself dissatisfied with your scores over and over, you probably should rethink your test prep strategy and figure out how to make it more productive and effective. Besides being strategic about raising your ACT scores, you might also want to take the ACT earlier just to gain valuable real test experience. Real Test Experience While timing yourself and taking practice tests (and analyzing your results) is a key part of test prep, no practice test can truly mimic the experience of sitting for the official ACT. You might want to sign up for the test just to get this valuable experience, so you know exactly what to bring, when to arrive, and what snacks will boost your energy during the breaks. If you're worried about all the other factors around taking the test, like logistics of getting to your testing center and how exactly to fill out and proofread your bubble sheet, then you might benefit from taking the official ACT. You'll learn how you handle the whole experience and be prepared to improve on any weaknesses for the next time. You might also be pleasantly surprised that you have the content knowledge and skills to do well on the ACT early on, like in freshman or sophomore year. Prepared for anything. You're Prepared Enough to Take the ACT Early While the ACT covers more advanced math than the SAT and has a science section, it does not require very advanced content knowledge that only upperclassmen have. Instead, you might be well prepared with the skills and knowledge in English, Reading, Math, and Science to do well on the ACT in your freshman or sophomore year. You might even surpass the content once you move into junior and senior year, like by taking pre-calculus or calculus, and have to look back and review concepts from past years, like algebra and geometry, that have gotten rusty. Prepping early could be beneficial both for reinforcing class concepts in the context of the ACT and developing the study habits that will help you get good grades in school. You might have more time in freshman and sophomore year, before you're busy with college applications, AP classes, varsity sports, community service, or any of the other activities in which you get involved. If you're prepared with class and have the time, then putting in the effort to prep and take the ACT in 10th or even 9th grade might let you finish taking the ACT early and free up your time in junior and/or senior year. Finally, some students take the ACT even earlier, like in middle school, to qualify for special academic and talent programs. You're Competing in Talent Search Programs While the ACT is mainly a college entrance exam, some students take it earlier to qualify for talent competitions and academic programs. These programs includeBESTS at the University of Iowa, CTY at Johns Hopkins University, JBA at Truman State University, MATS at Northwestern University, and TIP at Duke University. All of these reasons described above are good ones for signing up for your first ACT earlier than the typical junior year test date. As I mentioned,there are also a few reasons to be cautious when answering the question, When should I take my first ACT? Why Might You Not Take the ACT Earlier? I touched on some reasons why you want to be careful about taking the ACT before you're ready and will elaborate on them in some more detail here. The main reason would simply be lack of preparation. While sitting for the real test is really helpful experience, it's not a good idea to go into the ACT with zero studying. Here's a more extreme case. I actually worked with a student who took the ACT just as a trial run. His scores weren't that great, so he studied for several months and then took it again. He did much better. So much better, in fact, that the ACT withheld his scores and made him go through a long process ofappeal that involved gathering letters from teachers and making a dozen phone calls to all different departments. In the end, the ACT never released his scores. This situation is very rare, but it can happen if the ACT sees a huge jump or senses inconsistencies in your test scores. Especially with recent security breaches around the ACT and SAT, these organizations carefully monitor any hint of foulplay. The moral of this story is that you don't want to take the ACT with absolutely no preparation just to see what it's like, becausethis could not only look strange to ACT, Inc, but could also just be a wasted opportunity to test. The other consideration is that some colleges want you to send all your scores from all test sittings. I would say taking the ACT up to 6 times is fair game, but any more than that might start to send the message that you're not putting in the effort to prep and have a hard time achieving your scores. To sum up, preparation is the name of the game with the ACT, so you want to find a balance between test prep and leaving yourself enough test dates to hit your target scores, line up the test with school, and design a productive schedule for you. Ask yourself these questions. Questions to Ask Yourself Along with asking, when should I take the ACT for the first time, you can ask yourself these key questions: Have I done some test prep? If you answer yes, then you can likely go ahead and register for the ACT. If no, then make some time to study before signing up. Even 10 hours of prep can make a big difference in familiarizing yourselfwith the test. What are my target scores? If you have defined your target scores, take a practice test and see how close you are to achieving them. If you are scoring much lower than your goals, then you might want to prep some more before signing up for your first ACT. How many test dates do I think I need to achieve my target scores? If you think you need more than two or three test dates to reach your target scores, or feel uneasy aboutthe idea of testing in the fall of senior year, then you probably should sign up to take the ACT as a sophomore. What are my colleges' policies regarding superscoring and sending score reports? If your colleges superscore your results, then this might be part of your testing strategy, as described above. If they want you to send all your score reports, then you might be more cautious in your approach. How can I fit test prep into my current and future schedule? If you are planning to take three AP courses junior year or are joining a varsity sports team, you might consider doing Future You a favor and prepping earlier rather than later, when you have more time and flexibility in your schedule. Once you've answered these questions, you should have a clearer sense of what prep and testing schedule work best for you. Rather than simply following the typical schedule, you should make sure you make a plan that works best with your schedule, classes, and personal goals. What's Next? Are you taking the ACT in 9th grade? What about in 10th grade? Read aboutwhat makes a good score for freshmen and sophomores on the ACT and how you can improve for next time. The best way to prepare for the ACT is with official practice questions. Download official ACT practice tests here. Time yourself, score your tests, and make sure you really analyze and understand your strengths and weaknesses. Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points? Download our free guide to the top 5 strategies you need in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically.

How to Keep a Reading Log or Book Journal

How to Keep a Reading Log or Book Journal A reading log or book journal is a great place to note your reactions to what youre reading. Writing down your responses will allow you to discover  how you feel about the characters. Youll also gain insight into the theme and plot, and it may enable you to deepen your overall enjoyment of reading literature. You can keep a hand-written reading journal using a notebook and a pen, or you can keep an electronic one on a computer or tablet.   Below are a few idea starters to get your creative juices flowing. Feel free to build your list of questions. You may find yourself starting a life-long habit of keeping a reading log or book journal. How to Keep a Reading Journal First and foremost, start recording your immediate reactions to the text as you read it. Begin with  the opening chapter of the book. How do your impressions change (if they do) after reading half the book? Do you feel any differently after finishing the book? Would you read the book again? What emotions did the book invoke: laughter, tears, smiles, anger? Or did the book seem boring and meaningless you? If so, why? Record some of your reactions. Sometimes books touch you, reminding you of your own life as part of the larger human experience. Are there connections between the text and your own experience? Or does the book remind you of an event (or events) that happened to someone you know? Does the book remind you of what happened in another book youve read? Write about the characters, considering these questions: Which one is your favorite? What do you like about that character?Are there any personality traits that youd like to have?Conversely, is there a character you dislike? Why?What traits could you change about that character? Do you think that any of the characters represent  real  people?Does anything about a particular character seem to be related to the authors true personality?Do any of the characters represent general personality types? Is the author commenting on these types of people? Consider the Names Used in the Book If you were the author, would you have changed the name of a character or altered the location of a scene?What does the name mean to you?Do you have a negative connotation associated with the name (or the place)?What would you name the character instead?What would you use as a setting? Do You Have More Questions Than Answers? Upon finishing the book, does it leave you with questions? What are they?Would you like to direct your questions at a particular character?What questions would you like to ask the author of the book?Are they questions that you may be able to answer by reading more about the authors life and works?   Being Confused is Okay Are you confused about what happened (or didnt happen) in the book?What events or characters do you not understand?Does the use of language in the book confuse you?How did your confusion affect how you liked the book?Is there anything that the author could have done to clarify or answer any questions you were left with? Taking Notes Is there an idea in the book that makes you stop and think or prompts questions? Identify the idea and explain your responses. What are your favorite lines or quotes? Copy them into your journal and explain why these passages caught your attention.   How have you changed after reading the book? What did you learn that you never knew before? Who else should read this book? Should anyone  be discouraged from reading this book? Why? Would you recommend the book to a friend or  classmate? Would you like to read more books by this author? Have you already read other books by the author? Why or why not? What about other similar  authors  or authors of the same period? Write a summary or review of the book. What happened? What didnt happen? Capture what stands out about the book for you (or what doesnt). Tips on Keeping a Book Log Keeping a reading log or book journal can work well for poetry, plays, and other works of literature as well, though you may want to adjust the questions accordingly.  Consider reading the diaries, logs, or journals that great writers have kept about their reading experiences. You may even be able to compare notes. How do your reactions to books compare to the thoughts of famous writers?