Journal Assignment

 

For  the novel, you will complete a reading journal every 30 pages or so.  You will have a total of 10 entries ( for each book) when you are finished.  Each entry need to be comprised of 2 (two) of the following options and labeled according to page numbers.

 

  1. Comment on the author’s style, referring to particular words, phrases, passages.  What do you notice about the author’s writing that sets him/her apart?
  2. Pick a passage that contains striking imagery and comment on the effect that the imagery has on the passage aw a whole
  3. Comment on a character or person in the story.  What traits does he/she have that get in the way of contribution to his/her success?  Does the person remind you of someone you know?  Yourself? Please, talk about more than heir hat size…
  4. Comment on your reaction to the story.  How are you responding to the action?  If you are not enjoying it, why?  If you are, why?
  5. Write about how you fit into the story.  Which struggles relate to you?  How do you see yourself in the story?  How is your journey similar?
  6. Write and answer four interpretive (thoughtful, between the lines) questions.
  7. Select a quote that either seems important or strikes you as interesting.  Comment on your selection.
  8. Describe the tone (the attitude the speaker/author has towards his/her subject) of the selection by listing 10-12 words for the selection.  Discuss their role in providing the tone or their overall effect on the mood.
  9. Use a creative writing approach—this is wide open—anything goes.
  10. Talk to a character/person.  Ask him/her a question, scold them, advise them, yell at them, tell them to change and why…whatever.  Pretend like he/she is someone (a friend perhaps) who will listen to you.

 

You will need to vary your selection of entries: although you will of course use some more than once.  Remember, effort will be recognized and thoughtfulness rewarded, as will last minute weekend products.  Take your time.  Start early—I know you will be tempted to put this off.  If you begin early and take your time it will be easier.  Don’t set yourself up for last minute cramming.

 

That is your summer assignment.  Although I am only requiring two texts, I encourage you to read as much as possible.  Get together with others you know are taking the class and even discuss the books prior to fall.  Enjoy them, and take your time.  And, have a wonderful summer.  I can’t wait to work with you in August.

 

IDEAS FOR JOURNAL ENTERIES—USE THEM OR MAKE UP YOUR OWN.

 

Characters’ personality: description, your opinion of them

Characters’ behavior: why they act the way they do

Play psychiatrist—figure out what makes the character “tick.”

Invent a background story for a character which isn’t in the book.

Pacing of plot—too fast? Too slow? Why?

Plot twists

“Cliffhanger” endings to chapters—what makes you keep reading?

Surprise endings

Events that develop a character’s personality & your understanding of the character

Symbolism

Theme(s)

Author’s writing style.  Do you like it? Hate it? Why?

Vocabulary: over your head? Too easy? Annoying? Funny?

Compare characters, story, etc. to other characters, books, movies, etc.

Quotes from the text: pick something interesting and analyze it.

Personal reactions: explain what emotion you felt while reading something and why.

Character that reminds you of yourself, or someone you know?

Incident or conversation that reminds you of a real-life one.

What you would change about the story?

Invent a new ending.

Which character you’d play, if the book were made into a movie?

What questions do you have as you read?  What confuses or interests you?

What criticism would you make, if you were a professional reviewer?

 

These are just suggestions!  There are many more possibilities!