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Name: Period/Block:

Transactional Reading Journal

Directions: The writing you will do for this text is of a more personal nature than we have

done on previous texts. You are to create ten well-crafted and polished journal entries in

response to this novel; each should be a minimum of two typed double-spaced pages. The

following is a list of possibilities or suggestions, but by no means is it exhaustive; let your

imaginations go wild!

The journal entries must cover the entire book; they should be spread evenly in relation to the

beginning, middle and end of the novel. They should also reflect a variety of the choices

listed below. A minimum of three should be based on writers craft(the first bulleted item),

but the remaining seven choices are up to you.

Fully examine and explain a particular piece of the writers craft; you may want to

consider any one of the following and explain how it underscores one of the motifs or

themes of the book: metaphor, foreshadowing, symbolism, characterization, structure,

hyperbole, imagery, diction, voice, etc.

Create a piece of writing that describes and explains a personal reaction to a character,

place or event in the text.

Write a fictional letter to one or more of the characters orcreate a letter written from one

character in the novel to another that expresses some unspoken feelings or thoughts.

React, respond and explicate a five star quote of your choice. A five star quote is a

quote that jumps off the page at you for any number of reasons. It may be aphoristic,

profound, humorous, universal, or any reason you choose. For clarity, you must include

the entire quote somewhere in the entry.

Create an original piece of writing that is inspired by the novel; it may be a poem, short

story, short drama or section of dialogue, advertisement, review, etc. (only one of this

type of entry is allowed)

Choose a pivotal point in the novels plot and rewrite the outcome of a particular event as

well as the characters motivations, actions and reactions. It is important to focus on one

small section; keep it focused and detailed. (As an addendum, you may want to provide

an explanation of how it would affect the novels direction and/or outcome.)

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Create a question that the novel has raised for you and then answer that question in your

journal entry. Create an essential question for the text and write a justification and

possible answer after completion of your reading.

Create an original piece of art for one of your entries. Some possibilities could include: a

drawing, a painting, a sculpture, a dance, a musical score/composition, a collage, etc.(only one of this type of entry is allowed)

Create a correspondence between one of the characters in this novel and a character from

one of the other pieces of literature that we read this year.

Create a collection of artifacts (in a box) for one of the characters in the book; attach a

written rationale for your choice to each item. (The total of the written rationales should

be roughly equivalent to the two-page minimum.)

Choose a minimum of four characters from the novel and find fitting song lyrics for eachone of them. Scan or type out the song lyrics and annotate the lyrics for writers craft as

well as an explanation as to why you chose that particular song for the character. Burn a

CD of the songs and create a CD cover that illustrates a major motif or theme of the text.

Create a conversation across time by having one of the characters in the text dialogue

with a fictional or nonfiction persona from another time period/century.

Make a prediction early in the book. Revisit the prediction after finishing the book.

Compare and contrast your prediction with the ending. To what extent was your

prediction satisfied and why?

Create a short list of enduring understandings that emerge as you read. Use evidence

from the book to support your claims about he enduring understandings you take away

from the book. How will these understandings shape decisions you will make in the

future? How should these understandings shape our society?

Create a new kind of journal entry, write a description of it, then complete the entry.

Your entry could become a model for future entries.