In a Nutshell: One to two sentences that sum up the big ideas.
Theme/Main Point/Purpose: Summarize the main theme or point of the article. Why did the author write this? What is the author trying to communicate?
Supporting Arguments/Evidence: Discuss how the author supports his/her theme or main point. What arguments are employed? What evidence (if any) is provided?
Conclusions/Discussion: Discuss what important conclusions are drawn by the author or authors.
Implications: This section should discuss the links between this article and other material we are examining on similar topics. Also think about filling your ethical toolbox. What strategies does the author give to answering difficult questions?
Discussion Questions: In this section, you should pose one or two questions to stimulate discussion.
Bibliographic Information:
In a Nutshell:
Theme/Main Point/Purpose:
Supporting Arguments/Evidence:
Conclusions/Discussion:
Implications:
Discussion Questions:
Model Journal
Bibliographic Information: Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. 1848. “The Communist Manifesto.”
In a Nutshell: Class causes conflict and the working class must revolt.
Theme/Main Point/Purpose: Capitalism leads to generational wealth and class systems. The proletariats and the bourgeoisie are at odds with the proletariats significantly disadvantaged. Proletariats are stuck in a cycle of subsistence that is very difficult to get out of. If circumstances change and they become less competitive there are no safety nets. Marx and Engels argue that a capitalist system benefits the few and the proletariats should rise up to revolution. Marx uses a rationalist construct that revolution is the best calculated response to improving their situation. Removing generational growth and distributing the wealth helps everyone.
Supporting Arguments/Evidence: They use the example of a worker who only makes enough to subsist his existence for another day. The working man does not make enough money to save for a rainy day or build a fortune. Because the market is full of people needing a job, an employee is not valuable to a company and lacks the ability to negotiate. It is in the best interest of the employer to keep company profits instead of sharing by increasing salaries. Families who are able to build wealth pass their status to their undeserving children. Wealth can be attributed to luck more easily than it can hard work. Even for those that did work their way to the top, it was still luck that presented them with opportunities for success.
Conclusions/Discussion: Should revolution be a good solution to problems? This relates to the Black Lives Matter movement. Working in the confines does not produce change. Revolution makes people wake up and pay attention.
Implications: Some people argue for a capitalist liberal economy. This leaves large swaths of people behind.
Discussion Questions: Does Marx believe that the existence of private property hurts common use resources? Is his communist approach a larger version of Ostrums collective actions?