The Reading Response Log - Dialectical Journal

The Reading Log
(Aka. Reading Response Journal/Dialectical Journal/Double-Entry Journal)

A reading log is an effective way to keep a record of your reading responses-positive or negative, sure or unsure. It offers a change to respond personally, to ask questions, wonder, predict, or reflect on the characters, events, literary elements, or language of a text. Do not summarize! Instead, record your textual observations.

Instructions for keeping a reading log are as follows:
Use notebook paper (one-side only) or you may type it
Must have two columns (divide the page in 1/2)
Title the column on the left “Quotations from the Text”
Title the column on the right “Commentary/Responses to the Text”
Responses may start:
“The imagery reveals…”
“The setting gives the effect of…”
“The author seems to feel…”
“The tone of this part is…”
“The character(s) feel(s)…”
“This is ironic because…”
“The detail seems effective/out of place/important because…”
“An interesting word/phrase/sentence/thought is…”
“This reminds me of…”
“Something I notice/appreciate/don’t appreciate/wonder about is…”
Or you may start with something else you feel is appropriate
Generally each response should be 3-5 sentences and should include your analysis of the literary techniques present in the quotations, the author’s attitude, purpose or tone, and relation to personal experience.
Show me that you have read the entire book by responding to the novel from the first to the last page. You must a total of 20 entries (or at least one per chapter-which ever is more).
Make sure that you note the page number for the quotes.

Your journal will be used to determine your comprehension of the text. Be sure that your responses are thorough and that you complete the journal for all chapters of the book.

Please remember that these log are not meant to be personal diaries. They are meant to be read by others and should related only to the assigned material. You will be sharing your journals in class, so keep this in mind as you write. When sharing you will have the opportunity to confirm, clarify, and modify your responses through discussion. You will also find that your journals can be helpful in writing literary analysis of the text.