Question- what is your thought on copying down quotes from other people’s lists, without reading the underlying source? I don’t mean to be a pedant! I only thought of because I recently read Virginia Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own” (I know, shoulda read it sooner.). There are 1000 amazing quotes in it, many of which I know and have seen other places and even have a printed postcard of one. But in the context of the essay they’re very different. Two potential responses, and wondering what this very wise crowd thinks: 1. If they’re meaningful to you, as-is, and made you think- who cares?! Or 2. Context is helpful and often enough is important and will improve the quote.
Thanks. I just linked this post and excerpted some of these for students. I'm asking them to come up with specific study strategies post midterm exams.
We ask our 11th grade students in American Lit (here in Central Maine, US) to keep a Commonplace Book! It's their major assessment, actually, combined with reflecting on it. Have you written about your thoughts on keeping one - what it allows or encourages?
I love 28, Martin Luther King. We could do with a consensus moulding leader or two now, I feel. Focus groups only take you so far!
Question- what is your thought on copying down quotes from other people’s lists, without reading the underlying source? I don’t mean to be a pedant! I only thought of because I recently read Virginia Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own” (I know, shoulda read it sooner.). There are 1000 amazing quotes in it, many of which I know and have seen other places and even have a printed postcard of one. But in the context of the essay they’re very different. Two potential responses, and wondering what this very wise crowd thinks: 1. If they’re meaningful to you, as-is, and made you think- who cares?! Or 2. Context is helpful and often enough is important and will improve the quote.
You should read the source and decide. Otherwise you’re just surfing quite sites which, as you say, of ten misquote for lack of context.
I really enjoyed these. Thanks. I've been meaning to start a common-place book forever. This is a motivator!
Do it!
Thanks. I just linked this post and excerpted some of these for students. I'm asking them to come up with specific study strategies post midterm exams.
Nice! Some archives have old commonplace books to look at online iirc
Love this. I needed it today. Thank you.
Did you see my first post? I will add that John Adams educational regime is reminiscent of JS Mill’s.
Similar temperament, for sure
Wonderful entries. Right off, liked the first one of John Adams…I know the feeling…intellectuals can definitely get caught up in dreamy thoughts.
I write down quotes without always adding the citations which then becomes an interesting exercise trying to remember what I was reading.
I’ve had to get a lot better at noting down sources!
We ask our 11th grade students in American Lit (here in Central Maine, US) to keep a Commonplace Book! It's their major assessment, actually, combined with reflecting on it. Have you written about your thoughts on keeping one - what it allows or encourages?
I love it! Haven’t written but I think it’s a great idea. Lost art!
No 21 is, somewhat amazingly, true!
Works on more than one level too
Really fascinating. Thank you. All the best, John.
Pleased you liked it!
I LOVE those Auden quotes. Think about them ALL THE TIME
Oh that is good!