GrandTarsierMaster648
your focus should be on characterization. Which characters are…
your focus should be on characterization. Which characters are dynamic or static? Which are round or flat? Identify the protagonist and antagonist. What are they like? Does your protagonist have a foil? If so, which traits does the foil highlight?
Does your narrator use indirect or direct characterization? Which is more effective and why?
Has the author created any unlikable characters? Why do you think the author may have made this choice?
Remember:
1. As you read your novel, it’s helpful to break up that chunk into smaller sections.
2. Consider using sticky notes to mark off your sections of reading. Once you get to a sticky note, jot down some thoughts. These thoughts should include
questions that you have about plot, characterization, theme, language, symbolism – you are going to be asked to focus on character in your synthesis paper. While it shouldn’t be the only thing you write about in your journal, do ensure you are making observations and drawing conclusions about the way characters are being developed.
personal reactions to what you read.
connections you’re able to make to your own life, other texts, and the world around you.
analyses of literary devices, including use of language, metaphor, symbolism, imagery.
conclusions that you’re able to draw about choices made by the author.
You can use these notes to help you write the Reader’s Journal so that you don’t have to interrupt your flow of reading. However, don’t wait until the end of your second section to write your entire journal. Your Reader’s Journal is meant to show how your thinking evolves as you’re reading.
3. At regular intervals, reflect on your reading in your journal. Your Reader’s Journal should be written as a double-entry journal with your point form record of the important things you read in the left-hand column*, and your questions, inferences, connections, and analysis in the right-hand column. Point form notes are acceptable.
*Don’t forget to include page numbers for each entry. This will help you later in your discussions and in your synthesis paper.
Here is a reminder of what one page of a Reader’s Journal might look like:
You can use the following checklist to self-assess your reader’s journals:
Yes/No Criteria
I have noted important details from the text, key quotations, and brief summaries of things that I think are important in the left-hand column.
I have included page numbers for each of my entries.
I have included questions that I have about the text on the right-hand side.
I have made connections to myself, other texts, and the world around me (right-hand side).
I have analyzed word choice, imagery, symbolism, metaphor and other literary devices (right-hand side).
I have drawn conclusions about why the author may have made particular choices.
