What is a Reading Response Journal?
A reading response is a technique that students use for "talking" -- thinking and writing -- about what they read. In your responses, you should share feelings, reactions, and ask questions about elements -- including characters, the setting, symbols, the plot, and themes -- in the text we are reading.
While some students eagerly share their impressions about selections they have read in class discussions, others are less comfortable and keep their thoughts to themselves. In an effort to encourage all students to think more about what they read and confidently share their observations and opinions, Reading Responses will be done on a weekly basis.
What are the expectations? You should:
- Include a full heading (Name, Period, Date) and write the title of the book and the author.
- Write a minimum of 500 words each week (at least 1.5 pages typed--longer when written).
- Proofread your responses before turning them in.
- Include at least two types of responses with each Reading Response Journal you submit.
· Draw a bubble around each type of response.
What are the qualities of a thoughtful, well-written response? In each entry you should:
- Use language to communicate your thoughts clearly.
- Demonstrate an understanding of a text by making inferences, connections, and going back to the text to support your ideas.
- Use conventions of print (spelling, punctuation, grammar, capitalization and organization) in a standard way.
What can you write about in your Reading Response journal?
You have many options about what you can include in each week's Reading Response. Include as many types of responses as you wish. Always include a "WHY" segment to each response (ex. I felt this part was slow moving because I couldn't understand many of the words the author used). Remember! You must include at least two different responses.
Personal Response
If I were the character...
I now understand why/how/what...
A quote I like or reacted to strongly is... I was surprised by...
This line/part is interesting/exciting because... This makes me feel…
This part is slow/boring because…
I agree/disagree…
Making Connections
(Text-Self) This reminds me of when I...
(Text- World) This reminds of the time in history/current events/recent news when…
(Text-Text) This is similar to another book/play/movie/song/TV show I've seen….
Typewritten responses preferred! - Double-Spaced
- Size 12
- 1 inch margins
- Printed font
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Making Predictions
I predict… The next event will probably be...
I think the character will….
I believe the ending will be…..
Asking Questions
Some questions I have are... I don't get it…
I'm confused about...
How come…
This part is puzzling because…
I wonder why…
Ask questions that could have many possible answers…
Characters
Write a letter from one character to another…
Include a detailed description of a character...
State an opinion about the actions of the characters…
Comment on how a character has changed…
Visualizing
Describe how a passage in the text created an image in your mind…
I can visualize the scene/character/event because…
Literary Element/Vocabulary
1) Define the element or word.
2) Explain how using this element/word helped you to understand the story.
Ex. Literary Element—Mood— feeling created by a literary work
In the beginning of the story, the author creates a mysterious mood by showing an interesting conversation between Joan and Frank, two main characters. The reader never truly understands what is being discussed because the language is not specific. We get a feeling that Joan has a scandalous past because Frank mentions her having a period of "wild" days, but we do not know at this point what exactly they are talking about.
Ex. Vocabulary---Loquacious- extremely talkative
When the author described Gina as being a loquacious person, I was able to understand why she was always getting in trouble during class. It is easy to see why she got along so well with Arlene because Gina did most of the talking while Arlene did most of the listening.
And finally ... if there is anything you think about while reading that you feel strongly about, you should always feel free to write about that!
