FOUR-Quadrant Reading Log
For in-class reading logs, fold a sheet of paper into quadrants. For outside-of-class reading logs (assigned for homework), type them and email to the class email address. Label each quadrant with the following:
(1) Summary – big ideas only, no opinions, your words only – don’t quote text; cover entire text, keep short
(2) 2 Interpretative-level Questions – shows critical thinking; answers cannot be found in text; answers may not exist
(3) Quote – a golden line or something the author says that grabs your attention…it intrigues, interests, challenges, or surprises you in some way. Perhaps the author says something you may not have considered.
(4) Analysis – what is the meaning of the text – not the literal meaning, but the interpretative meaning
a.Fold a sheet of paper into quadrants (for in-class reading logs only…homework logs should be typed)
b.Whatever you write must fit into the quadrants. If not, you have written too much. If typed, use 10- 12 point font – no larger, no smaller.
c.Write name of the reading in center of log (Good Food/Bad Food article…….or Into the Wild or whatever the name.)
d.Write your name, date, and period on the right hand side of log
e. Each quadrant is worth 5 points, for a total of 20 points per log; this log is in a 30% weight category.
1– SUMMARIZE
a.What are the BIG IDEAS of the text? What is the piece MAINLY about?
b.What BIG EVENTS happen at the BEGINNING, MIDDLE, and END of the text?
c.The summary must be very, very, short.
d.Write in your OWN WORDS. Do not use words from the piece.
e.No opinions. The summary should tell just the FACTS.
2 - 2 QUESTIONS
a. Ask two questions that you do NOT know the answers to.
b. The questions are designed to generate discussion, so they could have MANY answers, or no answer at all.
c. If someone can answer your question immediately, it is a bad question.
d. Questions that begin with "why" are generally good questions, but you can use any words to start: if, should, could, would, how, what, etc. Just be sure that the question causes people to think.
e. Do NOT ask yes/no questions. They kill discussions.
3. Quote
a. Choose a quote from the reading that grabs your attention.
b. Copy the quote. Write a few words of the quote, and then use an ellipsis...to finish it. Do not fill the majority of the square with quote. You’ll need space for the response, so use an ellipsis for the rest. Cite the page number or paragraph. I will not grade quotes that I cannot locate in the text. Cite the quote.
c. Your response must be an opinion. Do NOT summarize.
d. Respond to quotes using the three part argument structure: claim, evidence, commentary. Evidence can come from any valid source (personal experience, common knowledge, references of other texts, movies, etc.)
e. Ways to respond to quotes: Agree/disagree; judge/criticize; analyze; reflect on personal experience, etc.
4. - Analysis
a. What message is the author sending about real life – not the book? What are we supposed to learn about ourselves, the human condition, about how life works? What is the lesson for us as human beings?
b. Write a paragraph, and give examples from the reading that explains your point. The first line of the analysis should be a claim (a clearly written opinion), followed by evidence from the reading, and commentary to explain how the evidence proves the claim.
NOTE: This log is based on the Disney book version OF CINDERELLA. The analysis section has four parts.
SummaryCinderella is about a girl whose father remarries a woman who has two daughters. The stepmother makes Cinderella do an abundant amount of chores to keep her from going to a party at the castle, yet she buys beautiful dresses for her two daughters to go to the party. Cinderella gets a fairy godmother to help her. She gets beautiful clothes and goes to the ball without her stepmother knowing it. She meets the Prince and dances with him until midnight but has to leave before her clothes turn into rags. This happens three times. On the third night, on the way out of the ball, she loses her shoe. The Prince scouts the entire village until he finds the woman who fits the shoe. Cinderella tries on the shoe. It fits. He marries her, and they live in the castle. / Two Interpretative Questions
1. If all of Cinderella’s clothes turn back to rags at midnight, why does her glass shoe remain beautiful? Why doesn’t it turn back into the raggedy shoes she had before the fairy godmother turned them into glass?
2. Why is there a time-limit on Cinderella’s gifts from the fairy godmother, and by extension a time-limit on her happiness? Why give her the beautiful clothes and other things – then take them back at midnight? This happens three times. It seems mean to give somebody something then keep taking it away.
Quote & Response
“Cinderella cried and cried then looked to the Heavens and cried some more. . .” (4).
The character is at her wits end, and she has
lost all hope. But this is the first time that she
realizes that she cannot do everything by herself.
I was pretty sick of her crying throughout the book,
so at this point, it’s nice to see that she has asked
for help. She was a whiny, weepy baby that was
starting to get on my nerves. She should have either
done something about her situation or shut up
about it. That’s why I’m glad that she’s finally
getting her act together and is looking to Heaven
for help. It’s about time. / Analysis
When life gets difficult, people must look to a higher power for support or they will fail. They must look to something bigger than themselves, whether this higher power is called God, the Universe, or friends with money and resources. It is impossible to overcome strong challenges without help from someone or something who has more, knows more, or “is more.”
The narrator says, “Cinderella cried and cried then looked to the Heavens and cried some more” (4). It is only at this point that she shows weakness for the first time. This is why she gets help. She recognizes her weakness. Sometimes showing weakness and having a good solid cry can lead a person to strength. It is only when Cinderella reaches toward Heaven that she gets help. The narrator says, “…a fairy godmother appears…”This represents someone (who is stronger, someone with power to help). The story shows that sometimes the Universe is just waiting to help us if we just ask. We will get help from a higher power once we try everything within our own limited power – just as Cinderella does. Some problems can only be handled by someone bigger than us.