Journaling Your Reading

Writing your comments in a journal is useful because it helps you to learn an assigned work inside and out so that you can make intelligent comments about it. 

When writing in your journal, jot down notes about what is happening in the story at different places.  Where do the actions take place?  What do they show?  Who is involved?  Who is the major figure?  Why are they major?  What relationships do the characters have with one another? 

Trace Developing Patterns.  What conflicts appear?  Between whom or what do the conflicts exist?  How does the author resolve the conflicts?  Is one side a winner?  How do you respond to the winner, or loser?

Also, list your favorite parts and especially...some discussion topics from your reading.

Finally, what fairy tale "stuff" is happening (inside the cover of your notebook for a list)

I know, this seems kind of overwhelming.  But, we will take the time to do most of this in class.  One of my goals for Literature this year is for you to really read a story.  What I mean by this is I want you to not only read a story, but figure out what the author is trying to teach us about the "human condition" and what we can learn from the story.

SO...THIS IS HOW THE PAGE(S) IN YOUR NOTEBOOK SHOULD LOOK...DUN DUN DUN!!!

Chapters 1-3

Happenin's

What is happening in this reading (where does action take place? Who is involved? What relationships do the characters have with one another? etc from the list above)

Conflicts

Discussion topics

What discussion topics do you have?  (at least 2)

Fairy Tale Stuff

What fairy tale "stuff" is happening?

From inside your notebook cover