Honors English Double Entry Journal Template
Double-Entry Journal Guidelines
In a double-entry journal, you will both collect “essential passages” from the book and comment on the significance of those passages. A passage is a section of the text that you record verbatim, with the page number. What you choose for your “essential passage” is up to you, but note the word “essential.” This should be a section of the text (a description, a comment by a character or the author that meets any of the following criteria:
1. Describes a crucial plot point
2. Gives key information about a character or change in character
3. Sums up the main idea of the event/chapter
4. Reveals insight into a theme of the novel
5. Highlights a symbol in the novel
6. Employs figurative language in an engaging way
7. Connects to a key study of topic
8. You just really, REALLY like it.
Please read and follow the directions below to complete the double-entry journal assignment.
DIRECTIONS:
The left side of your table must contain at least eight quotations from the reading with page numbers noted. Should you wish to refer to a particularly large selection, you may paraphrase it.
The right side of your table must comment on each of these eight points. Your right side can respond to questions such as:
· What strikes you about this?
· What was your first thought when you read this? And then? And then?
· What does this passage/idea make you think of or remember?
· Do you want to challenge or qualify this author’s claim? In what ways do you agree with it? Disagree?
· What else have you read/heard/experienced that connects with this author’s ideas?
· Does something confuse you or lead to further questions?
· How do you feel about this?
Another way to look at the “connect” side is the connections you make between the text and other sources—a comment on the text, a text-other text connection, a text-self connection, a text-world connection.
Please do not give a summary of what you read.
Using the template below or the T-chart format, you may type out your responses or print and hand write them so they are legible. Each assignment is due on Monday. This assignment is meant to help you analyze the text – prepare you so that you are able to talk about your selected passages in class.
When I grade these, I will be looking for detail. The best way to guarantee earning full credit for this assignment is to comment fully on your passages.
Name:
Date:
Author and Reading Covered: ZPD Level:Page / Quotations (from Text)
(Use quotation marks) / Commentary/Analysis (from Me)
(Must have 2 or more complete sentences)