DIARY ENTRIES BOOK REPORT INSTRUCTIONS

BOOK REPORT #3

CREATE A 12-ENTRY DIARY OF YOUR SUSPENSEFUL, CHILLER NOVEL

Write 12 “diary” entries that tell the story from beginning to end.

Obviously, there is a lot you won’t be able to say or explain.

Think about the most important parts of the story -- the essential plot points.

First person voice.  “I….I….I….”

Rephrase and summarize conversations and events to cover more pages.

Include dialogue when you can or think the quote is significant.

HOW LONG SHOULD ENTRIES BE?

One lined page could include 2 – 3 entries, depending on how small you write.

An entry doesn’t need to be longer than ½ page.

Pretend YOU are a character in this story who has joined the group for some reason.  You may try to explain it or not.  That is up to you.

You cannot change any aspect of the story. 

You are accepted completely.

You hear and are around for every conversation or event in the novel.

Your opinion, thoughts, feelings, reactions are part of your grade.

Your reactions.  What you are reminded of?  What you would do or not do? 

Include your reflections on life and what’s going on in the story or between characters.

Include a final one-page reflection on this book.  This is not a diary entry, but a reflection. Why did you chose this book?  What is the major theme(s) and mood(s) of the novel?  What did you think of the writing style, the story, the characters, etc.,?  Did it meet your expectations?  Talk about your experiences reading this book (when, where,  how’d the reading go?  How long did it take?) Would you recommend this book to others?  Who?  Describe what kind of readers would like this book.  Why would they like it?

FORMAT:

Hand-written or typed is fine.

Legible.  Neat.  Organized.

You may be as fancy as you like (make it look like a real diary)

Or simply fold the paper to look like a diary.

COVER PAGE:

Come up with a title of your own and add “based on the events that transpire in [author’s name]’s [one or two adjectives describing book/story] [genre] [title of the book]

OPTIONS:

You may also choose to write diary entries from other, supporting characters in the book.  What is THEIR perspective? 

EXTRA CREDIT:

RESEARCH OBJECTS, REAL PEOPLE, PLACES, INVENTIONS, TIME PERIODS, REAL EVENTS AND WRITE A PARAGRAPH ON EACH.  Include as extra pages – an APPENDIX or “COMPENDIUM of notes and research.”

ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE CHECKLIST (to be found in your entries – any order)

___        SETTING

___        MAIN CHARACTER (s)

___        SUPPORTING CHARACTER (s)

___        INTERNAL CONFLICT

___        EXTERNAL CONFLICT, including ANTAGONIST

___        OPENING

___        HOOK

___        MAJOR PLOT EVENTS (7-12)

___        PEAK OF STORY

___        RESOLUTION