How to Write an Effective Reader’s Response Entry Reading 9 Mrs. Mueller

Heading Always number and date your journal in the top right corner. Always include the title and author of the book on the heading line.

Introduction Begin with a sentence or two providing a little background to where you are presently in the book. You MUST include the author and title of your book in every journal entry. Example: At this point in the book, Sold, by Patricia McCormick, the main character, Lakshmi, has been beaten by Mumtaz, the owner of the brothel where she is forced to work.

Then, share your thoughts about the book What do you think of the characters so far, and WHY? What do you think of the events, and WHY? What do you think of the story so far, and WHY? NO PLOT SUMMARIES

Make a prediction Explain why you think your prediction may be accurate, or why you think this way. Example: I predict that Lakshmi will somehow escape because she has been thinking about it for quite some time, and she doesn’t seem like the type of girl to give up and give in.

Give an opinion (about a character, a situation, etc.) Explain in some detail why you feel the way you do. Example: I truly admire the character of Lakshmi, because she has been through such a devastating ordeal and she has weathered it with courage. Many people who have been through the horrible abuse she has been through might not have survived it.

Make a connection Explain how the connection helped you understand the character/event/story better. “This helped me…” Example: I remember watching a Dateline T.V. program that investigated human trafficking. It told the story of several girls who were told they had to work in a brothel until their debt was repaid, just as Mumtaz told Lakshmi. The T.V. program talked about how the “debt” would NEVER be repaid because the captors kept taking the girls’ money. This helps me realize that Mumtaz has no plans whatsoever of letting Lakshmi go.

Ask a Question Try to ask “THICK” questions, in other words, questions that make us ponder big ideas, question that take us beyond the text! (Thin questions just require us to look back in the text for answers.) Example: If Lakshmi doesn’t escape, how will she be able to endure life in this horrible place? How would anyone? This is a good way to conclude your journal- with a question that makes your audience think about the issues your book raises.