Novel reading journal: Reading Level 3

Journal #/Date:___________

READING LEVEL 3
NOVEL READING JOURNAL

Before each class discussion on assigned pages in the novel, answer the questions below in Parts I, II, and III as well as you can. Bring this to class with you on the discussion days, and hand it in at the end of class after your discussion. Part IV is homework to do after the discussion, to be handed in at the next class meeting.

PART I (before discussion)

1. Describe the setting (the time, place and conditions) [5 points]:

2. Describe the characters or changes in the characters [10 points]:

3. Summarize the plot (the actions or events in the story) [25 points]:

4. Describe the most important conflicts (C), climaxes (X), and resolutions (R)* that occur [25 points]:

5. What is your personal reaction to what you read [10 points]?

Note on conflict, climax, and resolution:

Conflict means any tension or differences, or disagreement. Example: in the story of Cinderella, there is a power conflict and a social conflict between Cinderella and the three sisters. There is also conflict between Cinderella's desires (to go to the ball) and duty (to stay home and clean).
Climax refers to the "high" point in fiction; there may be more than one. Again, in the Cinderella story, there are several climaxes: when the fairy godmother allows Cinderella to go to the ball, when Cinderella has to leave the ball before midnight (or suffer the consequences); and when the prince discovers that the glass slipper fits Cinderella.
Resolution arises from conflict. It may also be a climax in the story. It is the "solution" to the problems that come from conflicts. In Cinderella, the resolution comes when the prince finds that the glass slipper fits Cinderella.

PART II (before discussion)

Write any new vocabulary from the novel that you want to learn. For each word, include 1) the word itself, 2) the meaning, 3) the part of speech, and 4) related word forms and their parts of speech. [5 points--1 point for each word]

PART III (before discussion)

Write two or more questions that you would like to discuss in your group. [20 points]

Journal #:___________

READING LEVEL 3
NOVEL READING JOURNAL

PART IV (after discussion)

1. Were the questions you wrote in Part III answered in your group discussion?
If not, why not?

If yes, write the answers here:

2. What did you learn about the novel from the discussion?

3. Were there any problems during the discussion? If yes, what were they? How do you think they could be solved in the future?

4. What do you think is going to happen in the next part of the novel?

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Margaret Young
April 2001

READING LEVEL 3 NOVEL READING JOURNAL

READING LEVEL 3 NOVEL READING JOURNAL

READING LEVEL 3
NOVEL READING JOURNAL

READING LEVEL 3
NOVEL READING JOURNAL