Example Buzzword Entry for the Reader’s Notebook
Each week in class, you will be assigned a buzzword for which you will complete the four squares. Each week, you
should also choose a buzzword from the book that you’re reading and complete the four squares in the buzzword section of
your reader’s notebook. This should be completed every week by the time you get into your reading class on the final day of
each week. You do not have to be finished with your book to do this; rather, you’ll likely find several buzzwords from one
book. Use the following example as a guide when you complete your buzzword squares.
Week: 3
Buzzword: Superimposed
1. Context: “Felix's right arm felt the shock. Antonio's
face, superimposed on the screen, was hit by the
awesome blow. Felix saw himself in the ring, blasting
Antonio against the ropes” (Thomas 286).
2. Denotation: To place something over something else
Connotation:
1. Implied meaning within the context:
In order to be a “cheverote” fighter when facing his
friend in the ring, Felix knew he had to visualize
Antonio as somebody else instead of his amigo
brother. Otherwise, his concern for his friend would
cause him to alter his fighting style.
2. Feelings/images/connections: The word
“superimpose” makes me think of Halloween. People
place masks over their faces and pretend to be
somebody or something else for the night.
3. Intended effect: “Superimpose” evokes feelings of
masked emotions, and that is exactly what Felix
needs to stay focused in the ring—to hide his concern
for his friend and to pretend he’s just another
opponent.
Notes:
Synonyms
overlaid
Antonyms
uncovered
Tenses/Forms
superimpose
Word Parts
super-
covered
exposed
superimposing im-
overlapped
revealed
superimposes
-ed
Cartoon Vocabulary
Create a cartoon-vocabulary for the word—just as we did for
the word “respect” at the beginning of the year—but only
write one sentence.
1. Define the word.
2. Link it to something familiar.
3. Draw a picture that illustrates this link (include a
caption).
4. Write one sentence that contains the word and has
context clues.
1. Square 1:
a. Provide the context in which you found the buzzword. The context should include context clues, meaning that
one should be able to use the surrounding words and phrases to determine the buzzword’s denotation.
b. Place the context in quotation marks and put the author’s last name and the page number (on which you found
the context) in parentheses.
2. Square 2:
You may not be able to find exact synonyms and antonyms, but you should provide words that are either closely
related or quite unrelated to your buzzword.
3. Square 3:
For connotation, think beyond the literal meaning of the word. What does it mean within the context? What feelings
do you associate with the word, and what personal life experiences does the word conjure up? Also, why did the
writer use this word instead of one of its synonyms?
4. Square 4:
Explained above.
Example Dialectical Journal Entry for the Reader’s Notebook
Each week in class, you also need to quote two interesting passages from the book you’re reading and then provide
some thoughtful, interactive commentary that reveals something you’ve learned from what you’ve read. The passages you
quote should contain enough information for the reader to be able to understand the general situation. Use the sentence
starters and the example below as a guide.
Note: your responses should be a minimum of three meaningful sentences, and you must provide parenthetical
documentation for the passages you quote. For the first passage each week, be sure to include the author’s last name and
page number in parentheses. For the second passage, just place the page number in parentheses. Two quotes and two
corresponding responses must be completed (in the dialectical journal section of your reader’s notebook) by the time you
enter your reading class on the last day of each week.
Sentence Starters:





I can’t believe that _____.
I was surprised when _____.
I predict that _____.
If I had to think of a new title for this
chapter, it would be ____.
I can relate to ____.
Quoted reading passage, coupled with
parenthetical citation
“Freak is scuttling around behind me,
keeping out of her way, but when she says
that, I can tell he wants to know about his
father, if maybe he was a magician”
(Philbrick 71).
“Everything seems really great, just like
Gwen says, except when I lie on my bed it
hits me, boom, and I’m crying like a baby.
And the really weird thing is, I’m happy
(27).







I wonder _____.
My favorite part was _____.
I learned _____.
I would like to know more about _____.
This reminds me of ______.
I still have questions about ______.
Week 2
Title: Freak the Mighty
Author: Rodman Philbrick
Response: thoughtful, interactive commentary
Whenever I first read this, I could hardly believe that a genius like Freak would
actually think that his father was a magician. I figured he (Freak) would know
that Loretta was setting him up for a mean comment. However, after more
thought, I realized just how much Freak desires to know about his father. This
passage really shows how much of an impact parents have on their children.
Even though Freak likely harbors many negative feelings concerning his father,
he is naturally curious—curious about why his father left, and (much like Max’s
concerns) whether he (Freak) will be a chip off the old block.
This reminds me of “Amigo Brothers,” a short story that pits two very close
friends against each other. The two have been friends for as long as they can
remember, and for just as much time, have longed to become boxing
champions. They finally get their chance but have to fight each other, the loser
likely missing out on his dream, their emotions naturally rising and falling like a
roller coaster. In similar fashion, Max is feeling a barrage of emotions that
would rival the amigo brothers’ dilemma. He’s constantly compared to his
allegedly murderous father and then begins a friendship with a boy whose
mother reveals first-hand information about both his father and mother’s past.
Moreover, this woman, who has conjured up some painful feelings within Max,
turns out to be rather likeable and quite accepting of Max.