The Kite Runner Reading Journal

AP/GHP English Mr. Neff Reading Journal

In addition to the activities and discussions we conduct in class while reading Camus’ The Stranger (and any other text), you will be required to complete and submit a reading journal that includes your responses to certain chapters. These journal responses will be the source for our class discussion and your input into it. Journal responses should be about 1 page double spaced and will ask you to respond to a few specific discussion questions as well as include your reactions and observations on the text, not a summary of the plot. Following are requirements and suggestions:

Reading Journal Requirements and Suggestions: - Minimum 1 page typed (double-spaced) - response to any specific discussion questions that I give you - reactions, textual observations, and questions on what you read (ex. I was surprised by…; I wondered…; I thought…; This reminded me of…; I wondered what this word meant…OR refer to your “Marginal Notes” handout for suggestions); DO NOT SUMMARIZE PLOT - Include text references/quotes/page numbers from the text to support your reactions and responses - My suggestion is to keep post-it notes and mark pages and text excerpts that provoke some reaction from you as you read. After you finish the chapter or section, then go back and write out your Reading Journal by quoting and reacting to the excerpts you noted (if you own the book, it’s easiest to underline the notable text as you read). - Late journals (whether paper or turnitin.com) receive reduced credit. Late means “anything after the time or class period assigned as the due date.” In other words, it means what you logically think it means, even if you don’t want it to mean that. - Journals are informal but should follow format of standard, academic and mature English. Tone, however, is a matter for your choosing and will depend on how what you’re responding to and your own personal writing style. They’ll be graded primarily on content, the depth of your responses, and your proper citing or referencing of the text.

The generic rubric for these journals is as follows (point values may differ depending on assignment, but these are the criteria):

Depth of Content: content focuses on personal reaction and analysis, NOT summary (unless used to support reaction/analysis). Use of Text Support: includes page and text citations to support reaction/analysis where possible Requirements: meets requirements for length; responds to any given questions; offers own reactions and analysis of the text