Reading and Responding to Novels
Literature/Composition I
Ms. Palmer
2011
Essential Questions:
1) What is the power of stories?
2) What techniques do authors use to create dynamic, changing characters?
3) How does the narrator of a story affect your opinion of its events?
Name: ________________________________ Block: ___
Reading Journals
Directions: About twice a week you will be asked to complete a one-page journal entry and
submit it to me via turnitin.com. You need to consider all of the following requirements:
Formatting Requirements:
Typed in 12pt. font - Cambria or Times New Roman
1 full page; double-spaced
A creative, unique and appropriate title
Your name, date, block and Journal # in the header of the page
Grading Expectations:
10 points: Answering the questions – Each prompt will ask a specific question. You
will need to answer every part of the question completely to earn full credit.
5 points: Using evidence – As a part of your response to the question, you will need
to use direct textual evidence. You will need to properly embed and cite this
evidence as a part of your response.
5 points: Using proper conventions and style – You will need to hand in a clean,
error-free draft that follows the conventions of grammar and analytical writing. For
example, do not use I, you, we, us; do not use contractions; etc.
Reading Journal Grading Rubric
CRITERIA Exemplary Proficient Developing Needs Beginning
Develops a central
Effectively and
thesis/idea and Weakly/too vaguely
insightfully develops Develops a thesis/idea a
Analysis of demonstrates strong critical develops a thesis/ideas;
a central thesis/idea bit too generally;
and answer to thinking. Generally uses demonstrates critical
and demonstrates demonstrates some
the prompt logical argument to thinking but does so
outstanding critical critical thinking
develop a strong response inconsistently.
thinking.
to the prompt.
Uses mostly relevant
Uses unique and examples and evidence
Proper use of Uses appropriate examples Uses inadequate examples
compelling examples to support argument.
textual and evidence to support and evidence to support
and evidence to The link between some
evidence argument. thesis
support argument. evidence and the
argument may be unclear
Mechanical Is free of errors in Is generally free of most The response has some Contains an accumulation
correctness grammar, usage and errors in grammar, usage errors in grammar, usage of errors in grammar,
mechanics and mechanics and mechanics. usage and mechanics.
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Journal Prompts
Journal #1: Historical Context
Using the Internet, conduct some research about the novel you are about to read. You
should read a bit about the author of the novel, the country in which the novel takes place
and any historical information that would be important about the time in which the novel
was written.
Journal #2: First Impressions
What are your first impressions of the text? Choose one character to focus your analysis
and discuss how you expect him/her to grow and change over the course of the novel.
Consider how the character makes a first impression and what problems he/she might
potentially face. Remember to use direct textual evidence in your response.
Journal #3: Narrative Voice
Identify the narrator and the narrative style of the story. How does the narrator engage
you as a reader? Is the narrator reliable? How do you know? Do you anticipate liking the
narrator? Why or why not?
Journal #4: Symbolism
Identify one symbol that is present in the novel. Analyze the ways in which this symbol is
used, why you think that symbol was chosen and how it adds richness to the text.
Journal #5: A Dynamic Character
Identify the dynamic character you chose to draw today. What makes that character
dynamic? How has he/she changed and adapted since the beginning of the story? Do you
think the character is changing for the better or for the worse? How do you know?
Journal #6: Theme
Identify one theme in your text. Consider how motif, symbol, plot and character
development enhance and create that theme? Choose one of the italicized terms and focus
on how your chosen theme is developed through that device.
Journal #7: Almost done… Write a Review
Write a formal review of the novel. If you are stuck and not sure what to write about,
consider looking at book reviews online for ideas. Consider whether or not you would
recommend this book to a friend or family member and why or why not.
Journal #8: Viewpoints on Civilization
This final journal response will be written in class. You will need to review the “viewpoints
on civilization” handout and choose one quotation on which you will write a response.
Using evidence from your novel, either support or disprove your chosen quotation. Please
look at the notes for Discussion #8 for further instruction.
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Discussion Leader Expectations & Calendar
Discussions will take place about twice a week. I expect the discussions to focus on the
topics related to your journal entries, but I also expect them to be natural conversations
about what has recently happened in the novel.
Expectations for the discussion leader: Everyone in the group will take one turn at
leading discussion. It is this person’s job to:
Make sure everyone has a chance to ask questions about the text
Keep the discussion on task and moving along
Direct the discussion to the pre-written questions when it is appropriate
On the calendar below, you and your group need to decide who will be responsible for each
discussion. You also need to use the master calendar to fill in the date of each meeting:
Discussio Topic Date Leader
n Number
1 First impressions & memorable
characters
2 The narrator and the narrative
style
3 Static vs. dynamic characters
4 Symbolism in the novel
5 Conflict in the novel
6 Themes developed in the novel
7 Changes to character and
setting
8 Viewpoints on civilization
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Discussion Questions & Notes
You will be expected to prepare for each meeting of your book group. In preparation for
that meeting, you will need to either flag passages in your book with post-its or take a few
notes in the spaces below. You need to come to class ready to participate in each
conversation.
When you are the discussion leader, you need to be particularly prepared to help drive the
conversation in case your group members have a hard time getting started.
Discussion 1 - Discuss your first impressions of the novel. What characters seem most
memorable to you? How would you describe the setting of the novel? How does the
historical context inform your reading of this story?
Discussion 2 – Who is your narrator? Is he/she reliable? How do you know? What would
happen if someone else narrated the story? Do you think the author made a good choice?
Why or why not?
Discussion 3 – Discuss what the dynamic characters in the text would look like. Draw a
representation of one of them. Predict how they will physically and mentally change
throughout the course of the book.
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Discussion 4 – What symbols seem to be present in the novel? Which did you choose to
track and why? Why would an author use symbolism in fiction?
Discussion 5 – Where do you see conflict in the novel? How do you anticipate that conflict
being resolved? Is that conflict allegorical? If so, what is it representing?
Discussion 6 – What are some of the strongest themes present in the novel? How do you
know these are the themes of the text? Are some themes more prominent than others?
Discussion 7 – What do you notice about changes in the scenery? How has the setting of
the novel progressed? How does that contribute to theme? How have the characters
changed? How do those changes contribute to theme?
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Discussion 8 – What do you think the author is trying to say about humanity? What tone
does the author take on issues of civilization? Human behavior? Cultural values?
Discussion #8 will lead into your final journal entry. As you discuss these questions with
your group, remember that you will be writing this final entry in class and that it will need
to do the following:
1) Establish a clearly identifiable and purposeful argument at the beginning of the
paper. The claim should be about the general concepts of civilization, humanity,
society, etc.
2) Include direct quotation from BOTH your chosen quotation and your novel. They
should be embedded properly and cited at the end of the sentence.
3) Thoroughly analyze the connection between the quotation and the novel.
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Tracking Motifs:
Directions: Take notes in the appropriate places on motif. You will then identify a motif to
track throughout the novel. Every time you see that motif, you need to write down the page
on which it is present and how it is functioning. At the end you will write a claim about
how the motif is contributing to theme.
Notes on Ms. Palmer’s lecture:
What is a motif?
What is an example of a motif?
The motif you have chosen to track: _____________________________________________
Page #: Context – How is the motif being used on that page?
How is the motif adding to a theme in the novel?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Tracking Symbols:
Directions: Take notes in the appropriate places on symbolism. You will then identify a
symbol to track throughout the novel. Every time you see that symbol, you need to write
down the page on which it is present and how it is functioning. At the end you will write a
claim about how the symbol is contributing to theme.
Notes on Ms. Palmer’s lecture:
What is a symbol?
What is an example of a symbol?
The symbol you have chosen to track: ___________________________________________
Page #: Context – How is the symbol being used on that page? What does it stand for?
How is the motif adding to a theme in the novel?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Static and Dynamic Characters
A static character is:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A dynamic character is:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Choose one dynamic character from your novel. You will draw him/her three times
throughout your study of the text. Note how the character physically & emotionally
changes over time and find a direct quotation to prove your claims.
The character you have chosen to track: ________________________________________
Phase 1: In the beginning Phase 2: In the middle Phase 3: At the end
Drawing: Drawing: Drawing:
Physical description: Physical description: Physical description:
Emotional description: Emotional description: Emotional description:
Quotation: Quotation: Quotation:
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