Grades 7-9
Reading
Literature:
Interactive Notebook
CREATED BY: THE SUPERHERO TEACHER
-
l
Convenient tabs to keep students organized.
50+ pages of interactive activities
Picture examples of setup
5 key areas
- Character Development
- Figurative Language
- Plot Development
- Citing Textual Evidence
- Vocabulary
- Black and white for easy printing
- Basic printing pages if you want to print and
bound your own books.
Convenient Tabs
Dear educator,
Thank you so much for purchasing
“Reading Literature: Interactive
Notebook” for the new school year! I
hope you are happy with your purchase!
If you have any questions, please feel
free to e-mail me at
thesuperheroteacher@Hotmail.com.
A special thank you to Tracee Orman for her
amazing clipart and Kimberly Geswein for her
amazing fonts!
CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT
CHARACTER
FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE &
DEVELOPMENT
LITERARY
DEVICES
PLOT
DEVELOPMENT
CITING TEXTUAL
EVIDENCE
VOCABULARY
DIRECTIONS: Cut out the entire tab (dotted
line and all). Put glue on the white portion of
the tab only. Place the tabs on the
correlating pages. The tabs will look similar
to binder tabs once they are all lined up.
T
A
B
S
Let’s take a look at:
CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT
What is
character
development?
Character development is the
process by which an author
exposes a character’s
personality traits, physical
attributes, contributions to the
story, background information,
flaws, and more. Typically, this
is done through direct and
indirect characterization.
Depending on how the author
has formatted his/her plot, it
may be up to the audience to
determine and analyze the
purpose of the character.
1.
Student
Directions:
Using the pages on the following
pages, take a closer look at each of
the characters and analyze how the
author uses him or her in their
story.
2. Complete all of the different pages
by following the directions and
providing clear and detailed
answers.
3. Complete each page by the
expected due date for full credit.
4. Decorate and design each page to
match the theme of the novel you
are reading. Remember, this is an
INTERACTIVE notebook.
READING LITERATURE:
CHARACTERIZATION
Definition of Characterization: The process by which the author reveals the
personality and depth of a character. It is revealed through
direct and indirect characterization.
Text: _____________________________ Author: _____________________
DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
Direct characterization tells the audience what the personality of the character is. For example: Ms.
Wheaton’s calm, encouraging demeanor created a safe and comfortable learning environment. Calm and
Encouraging are personality traits that are determined through direct characterization.
CHARACTER BEING ANALYZED: _______________________________________
Physical Emotional
Characteristics
Characteristics
Mental Intellectual
Characteristics
Characteristics
Text: _____________________________ Author: _____________________
INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
Indirect characterization shows things that reveal the personality of a character. Specifically, indirect characterization c an be
developed through speech, thought process, effect on other characters, actions, and physical appearance. Using the language of
the author, the audience is able to develop their own ideas to who the character is and what he or she has to offer the story .
CHARACTER BEING ANALYZED: _______________________________________
Thought Process:
Speech:
Appearance:
Actions:
What are the
How does the
What does the
How does the
character speak? character’s private character behave? character look like?
thoughts?
READING LITERATURE:
INDIRECT
CHARACTERIZATION
CHARACTER BEING ANALYZED : ______________________________________
SPEECH
THOUGHTS
Provide an explanation of the character’s speech process
below. Then, provide a quote (with page & paragraph
number) beneath the flap to show evidence.
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Provide an explanation of the character’s thought
process below. Then, provide a quote (with page &
paragraph number) beneath the flap to show evidence.
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
ACTIONS
EFFECTS
Provide an explanation of the character’s actions
throughout the story below. Then, provide a quote (with
page & paragraph number) beneath the flap
to show evidence.
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Provide an explanation of how the character’s actions
have an effect on other characters below. Then,
provide a quote (with page & paragraph number)
beneath the flap to show evidence.
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
READING LITERATURE:
PROTAGONIST VS
ANTAGONIST
PROTAGONIST: The central figure in poetry, narrative, or novel. A protagonist is
sometimes called a “hero” by the audience or readers.
ANTAGONIST: A character or group of characters which stand in opposition to the
protagonist– typically a competitor or rival.
WHO IS THE PROTAGONIST
OF THE STORY?
Protagonist
WHO IS THE ANTAGONIST
OF THE STORY?
______________________
In the center square, explain
why this character is
considered the antagonist.
Then, provide a quote on
each of the flaps to support
your answer.
______________________
In the center square, explain
why this character is
considered the protagonist.
Then, provide a quote on
each of the flaps to support
your answer.
Antagonist
READING LITERATURE:
TYPES OF CHARACTERS
On each circle below, look up and write the definition of the different types of characters. Provide examples of each different type
of character. Then, beneath the flap, write an explanation (along with supporting evidence) of your choices.
FLAT CHARACTERS
STATIC CHARACTERS
ROUND CHARACTERS
DYNAMIC CHARACTERS
READING LITERATURE:
INTERNAL VS EXTERNAL CONFLICT
Provide 2 (two) examples of internal and external conflict from the novel you are reading. Write the basic
description on the front and a quote to support beneath the flap.
EXAMPLE ONE
EXAMPLE TWO
Internal Conflict
External Conflict
l
Definition of
Internal Conflict:
Definition of
External Conflict:
l
EXAMPLE ONE
&
EXAMPLE TWO
READING LITERATURE:
TYPES OF CONFLICT
Playing on a
team that is
currently losing.
Meeting a
friend for the
first time
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Draw the scene
Breaking up
with someone
What might the internal conflict be in each of these scenarios?
Cheating on
a test
Person vs. Society
Man vs. Machine
External Conflict:
Struggle between a literary or dramatic
character and an outside force such as
nature or another character, which drives
the dramatic action of the plot
Internal Conflict:
Psychological struggle within the mind
of a literary or dramatic character,
the resolution of which creates
the plot's suspense
Man vs. Man
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Society
Person vs. Machine
Find an example of each form of
external conflict as well as explain what
kind of internal conflict may occur due
to the scenarios listed above.
READING LITERATURE:
CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT
Throughout the plot of the story, characters are sure to develop and change.
Choose a character and use the left side diagram below to provide an explanation
and quote for each section of the story. On the right, draw
the character’s emotions in the beginning, middle, & end.
RESOLUTION
End
FALLING ACTION
Middle
CLIMAX
RISING ACTION
Beginning
EXPOSITION
READING LITERATURE:
CHARACTER QUOTES
Character: __________________
Important Quote:
Sketch Character
Sketch Character
Character: __________________
Important Quote:
Character: __________________
Important Quote:
Sketch Character
Sketch Character
Character: __________________
Important Quote:
READING LITERATURE:
COMPARE & CONTRAST
DIRECTIONS: Select two key characters from the novel or short story you are
reading. Then, compare and contrast their personality traits, physical attributes, and
actions. How are they similar and different? What makes these characters significant
to the story? Provide textual evidence to support your claims.
READING LITERATURE:
DEVELOP A CHARACTER
Directions: Think of a new character that would enhance and/or change the plot of
the story. Develop the character below based on the prompts.
NAME OF NEW CHARACTER:
EXPLAIN THE ACTIONS & PURPOSE OF THE NEW CHARACTER
PICTURE OF THE NEW CHARACTER
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
PERSONALITY TRAITS
QUOTE:
Let’s take a look at:
FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE
• Imagery
• Theme
• Personification
• Hyperbole
• Simile/Metaphor
• Irony
• Foreshadowing
• Flashback
• Symbolism
Figurative language goes
beyond the LITERAL meaning
of the words written by the
author. It is used to help the
reader gain a better and
deeper understanding of the
events, characters, or
subjects in the story. In this
section of the interactive
notebook, you will be working
on developing an
understanding of 10 different
literary devices that impact
the complexity of the novel.
The more detailed your
answers are, the more you
will grasp the author’s
purpose.
READING LITERATURE:
IMAGERY
Character Imagery
Choose a quote that depicts the main character of
the story. Create a list of key words below that
will help you draw the image beneath the flap.
Definition of Imagery
The author uses words and phrases to
create “mental images” for the reader.
Imagery helps the reader to visualize
more realistically the author’s writing.
Writing with Imagery::
Use 3 of the following objects to
write a sentence with great imagery.
Paintbrush, lake, orange,
tissue box, textbook,
computer, leather,
whit eboard, scissors,
watercolors, canvas,
sunset
Select and paste a passage from the novel you are reading and paste below.
Then, draw the imagery that is created beneath the flap.
READING LITERATURE:
THEME
l
Cut the task cards
out on the next
page and insert
them in the pocket.
What is THEME?
The theme of any literary work is the base topic or
focus that acts as a foundation for the entire literary
piece. The theme links all aspects of the literary
work with one another and is basically the main
subject. Typically, the theme is also the moral or
lesson of the story.
Using the task cards in
the pocket, answer each
of the questions in
their entirety.
READING LITERATURE:
THEME
Cut the task cards
out on this page
and insert them in
the pocket.
TASK ONE:
Explain what the moral or ethical issues are in the story.
TASK TWO:
Describe the conflict that the characters in the story face.
TASK THREE:
What transgressions do the main characters commit? How does this affect their
relationships with other characters?
TASK FOUR:
What do the main characters fail or succeed to accomplish?
TASK FIVE:
Describe the transformation that the characters undergo.
TASK SIX:
Based on the first five tasks, what is the overarching theme of the story?
What lesson is learned?
TASK SEVEN:
Provide 3 (three) direct quotes that support the theme.
TASK EIGHT:
Based on the theme of the novel, explain how this overarching lesson
can be used in your everyday life.
READING LITERATURE:
PERSONIFICATION
Define Personification:
Example one:
Provide a quote that exemplifies
personification below & draw the
picture beneath the flap.
Personify the
PROTAGONIST
Example two:
Example three:
Provide a quote that exemplifies
personification below & draw the
picture beneath the flap.
Provide a quote that exemplifies
personification below & draw the
picture beneath the flap.
Write a sentence using personification to
describe the protagonist. Then, draw a
picture beneath the flap.
Personify the
ANTAGONIST
Write a sentence using personification to
describe the antagonist. Then, draw a
picture beneath the flap.
READING LITERATURE:
SIMILE/METAPHOR
Sketch a picture of the
simile/metaphor here:
Sketch a picture of the
simile/metaphor here:
Define Simile:
Define Metaphor:
Provide 2 examples of each on the flaps. On
the outside flap, write the direct quote from
the novel or short story and on the inside flap,
explain how the simile or metaphor enhances
the imagery for the reader.
Sketch a picture of the
simile/metaphor here:
Sketch a picture of the
simile/metaphor here:
READING LITERATURE:
HYPERBOLE
Hyperbole: exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Example: It’s raining cats and dogs. What does this hyperbole really mean?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
“Hyperbole is without a doubt the single greatest
thing in the history of the universe!”
On the front flap, provide a quote and picture of an example of hyperbole
in the novel or short story you are reading. Beneath the flap,
explain the ACTUAL meaning of the hyperbole.
READING LITERATURE:
IRONY
WHAT IS IRONY? (noun) a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately
contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.
EXAMPLE OF IRONY: The smallest dog at a dog show being named “Tiny”.
There are THREE different types of irony– dramatic, situational, & verbal
Directions:
Dramatic Irony
Using the concept map, define
the three types of irony. Then,
find an example for each type
of irony in the novel/short story
you are reading. On the front
flap, write the definition.
Beneath the flap, provide a
direct quote supporting an
example from the novel.
Verbal Irony
Situational Irony
READING LITERATURE:
FLASHBACK
Start in the
PRESENT
Then
FLASHBACK
to the
PAST
Then return
to the
PRESENT
Provide a direct quote
that shows where the
story begins.
Provide a direct quote
that shows where the
flashback begins.
Provide a direct quote
that shows where the
flashback ends.
Explain the significance beneath the flap.
Explain the significance beneath the flap.
Explain the significance beneath the flap.
Scene that exemplifies
foreshadowing.
Define foreshadowing:
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
What do you predict happening
based on the original scene?
Sketch the scene beneath
the flap and provide your
explanation and a quote on
the front of the flap.
What actually happened?
Were you accurate? Explain.
FORESHADOWING
READING LITERATURE:
READING LITERATURE:
SYMBOLISM
Define Symbolism:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
COLORS:
What might the color
red symbolize?
SYMBOL:
Quote to support:
OBJECTS:
Think of something that
could symbolize one of
your key personality traits.
Write your answer
beneath the flap.
Significance of symbolism example #1:
Significance of symbolism example #2
METAPORS:
What might the
metaphor “love is a
jewel” symbolize?
Quote to support:
SYMBOL:
Let’s take a look at:
PLOT
DEVELOPMENT
Label & define the different
sections of the plot structure.
READING LITERATURE:
PLOT STRUCTURE
Directions: Read a short story of your
teacher’s choice and fill in the
different components of the story’s
plot structure.
PLOT STRUCTURE
Exposition: Introduction of main
characters and setting.
Rising Action: One or more of the
characters are in a crisis. The situation
is explained.
Climax: The point of highest emotion
takes place (the turning point).
Falling Action: Resolution of the
character’s crisis occurs.
Resolution: Loose ends are tied up.
Some stories do not have a resolution.
READING LITERATURE:
EXPOSITION
Define exposition:
Title of novel: ________________________________________________________
Author of novel: ______________________________________________________
LIST THE MAIN
CHARACTERS
Components of the
DESCRIBE THE
SETTING
EXPOSITION
LIST ANY
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION THE
AUTHOR PROVIDES
DETERMINE THE
MOOD/TONE OF
THE STORY
IDENTIFY THE
POINT OF VIEW
READING LITERATURE:
RISING ACTION
Define Rising Action:
Title of novel: ________________________________________________________
Author of novel: ______________________________________________________
Identify the conflict
Components
of the
RISING
ACTION
READING LITERATURE:
CLIMAX
Define Climax:
Title of Novel: ___________________________________________________
Draw the main event of the novel.
Explain how this is the
turning point of the story.
Choose a quote that best
depicts the climax.
How are the characters affected
by the events of the climax?
READING LITERATURE:
CLIMAX
Cut and attach the piece below to the pizza
chart on the previous page.
READING LITERATURE:
FALLING ACTION
What are the direct effects of the climax?
Provide quotes to support.
How is the protagonist affected
by the events of the climax?
How is the antagonist affected
by the events of the climax?
Define falling action:
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
READING LITERATURE:
RESOLUTION
Copy and paste the
resolution from the text.
How are the loose
ends tied up?
How are the characters
affected at the end of the story?
READING LITERATURE:
Search through the novel or short story to find the answers to these questions.
Write your response on a sticky note and place over the questions. Be sure to
cite textual evidence to support your claims!
PLOT DEVELOPMENT
Find and describe
the exposition of
the story in detail.
Find and describe
the rising action of
the novel.
Find and
describe the
climax of the
novel.
Find and describe
the falling action of
the novel.
What is the overarching
moral of the story?
Find a direct quote to
support your answer.
Find and describe
the resolution of
the novel.
Let’s take a look at:
Citing textual
evidence
Take a closer
look at the text
Citing textual evidence in your answers will help you
prove that your answers are accurate and
complete. Not only will it appear evident that you
can go back in the text and identify where you
found your information, but you will also better
understand the text itself.
Concepts
Learned:
• Annotating text
• Citing textual evidence
• Close reading
• Making inferences
• Context clues
READING LITERATURE:
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
What does it mean to cite textual evidence? When asked a question, it’s important to go back in the text to support
your claims. By doing this, you are proving that you fully understand the text’s meaning and
can identify specific parts of the text where you found your answer.
Are you getting the text’s message?
FORMATTING:
Provide a general statement
with your answer. This is
evident because in the text on
page _____ it says, “--------”
which means
______________________
______________________
[explanation of quote].
Not only are you providing a direct quote from
the text to support your claims, but you are also
providing an explanation of the meaning.
Answer these questions beneath the flap:
1. Using textual evidence, explain one of the
themes of the story.
2. Using textual evidence, explain the climax of
the story.
READING LITERATURE:
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
Choose an important quote from the novel. Explain how, in your opinion, the plot
structure would change without this quote. Be detailed in your answer.
Create a T-Chart with characters listed on the left and their most significant quotes on the
right. Then, choose one of the quotes and explain its significance in a detailed paragraph.
Identify TWO key themes that exist throughout the entire novel. Then, identify THREE
quotes per theme that support your choice. Write these in a bulleted format.
Identify and explain TWO instances of flashback or foreshadowing. What QUOTES helped
you determine your choices? Explain your answer in a paragraph format.
Find a quote that accurately depicts the setting of the novel. Explain how this quote has
an impact on the plot of the story.
Choose one of the main characters from the novel. Identify whether the character is round, flat, static,
or dynamic. Then, choose 3 specific quotes or events from the novel that prove your claim.
READING LITERATURE:
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
Place the task cards from the previous page in this envelope.
Textual Evidence:
TASK CARDS
READING LITERATURE:
Search through the novel or short story to find the answers to these questions.
Write your response on a sticky note and place over the questions. Be sure to
cite textual evidence to support your claims!
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
Find an important
paragraph in the novel.
Rewrite it to completely
change the plot of the
story.
Find an important
quote in the novel.
Explain the
significance of the
quote.
Choose one common
theme throughout
the novel. Find and
explain a quote to
support it.
Who is the antagonist
of the story? Find a
quote that proves this
character’s motives in
the novel.
Who is the
protagonist of the
story? Find a quote
that you feel best
fits this character.
Bonus: who is your
favorite character and
why? Find the place in
the book in which you
discovered this!
READING LITERATURE:
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
Look at the passage your teacher provided you. Then, on your own
sheet of paper, answer the prompts below.
1
Underline the title of
the novel or short
story. What can you
g ather from the title?
2
Answer the who, what,
where, when, and why
about the CLIMAX of
the story.
3
4
Highlight any words that
you are not familiar
with. Look up their
definitions and reread
the text.
Underline any significant,
plot changing quotes.
Write out the quotes and
explain their importance.
Draw stars next to any
instance of figurative
language. Ex: personification,
imagery, simile/metaphor, etc.
P ut question marks
next to sections of the
text that you are not
familiar with.
5
6
READING LITERATURE:
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
Write a quote from the novel that you find puzzling:
FIRST GLANCE:
During the first read,
explain what you see
and understand
to be true
about the
quote.
SECOND GLANCE:
Complete the close
reading/annotating steps
to help you determine
the meaning of the
quote.
THIRD GLANCE:
After annotating the
quote, explain what you
Understand about its
meaning now.
Were you
accurate?
READING LITERATURE:
MAKING INFERENCES
EVIDENCE
Evidence is a quote or
paragraph that suggests
something in a novel or
short story.
EVIDENCE
+
SCHEMA
=
Schema is something we
already know from prior
learning.
INFERENCE
An inference is a
conclusion reached on
the basis of evidence
and schema.
+
SCHEMA
=
INFERENCE
+
SCHEMA
=
INFERENCE
Example:
EVIDENCE
Example:
READING LITERATURE:
SUPPORTING
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Choose a paragraph from the novel. Then, identify the overall tone of the paragraph.
Which words or phrases helped you make your decision. Explain your answer in detail.
Page #________________ Paragraph # ____________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Throughout the novel, there are instances of figurative language whether you realized it immediately or
not. Locate THREE instances of figurative language. Explain how they make a difference in the novel.
Examples of figurative language: metaphor, simile, personification, onomatopoeia, imagery, etc.
Example 1
Page #:
Quote:
Paragraph#:
Example 1
Page #:
Quote:
Paragraph#:
Example 1
Page #:
Paragraph#:
Quote:
READING LITERATURE:
CHARACTER QUOTES
Directions: Choose 4 of the main characters from the novel or short story. Draw
their picture in the center of the square. Then, on the outside flaps, write 4 of
the most significant quotes from or about these characters.
On the inside flaps, explain WHY they are significant.
READING LITERATURE:
CHARACTER QUOTES
Cut and paste this image to the first page with the matching squares.
CHARACTER ONE
READING LITERATURE:
CHARACTER QUOTES
Cut and paste this image to the first page with the matching squares.
CHARACTER TWO
READING LITERATURE:
CHARACTER QUOTES
Cut and paste this image to the first page with the matching squares.
CHARACTER THREE
READING LITERATURE:
CHARACTER QUOTES
Cut and paste this image to the first page with the matching squares.
CHARACTER FOUR
READING LITERATURE:
ANNOTATING TEXT
1 Underline
Highlight any
words that are
unfamiliar.
Define them
beneath the
flap.
P ut a question
3 mark
(?) next to
P ut a star next
to any instance
of fig urative
lang uag e. Explain
the significance
beneath the flap.
1
anything
that stands
out as
interesting.
passages that
you do not
understand.
Explain why
beneath the flap.
an arrow
5 Putnext
to any
themes or
morals you come
across. Explain
them beneath
the flap.
text-to7 TT–
text. How can
you connect the
passage to
another book
you’ve read?
4
[GLUE TEXT PASSAGE HERE]
6
TS– text-toself. How can you
personally
connect to the
character or
event in the text?
8
TW– text-toworld. How can
you connect your
reading to an
event in the
world?
Let’s take a look at:
vocabulary
CONCEPTS
LEARNED:
• Denotative
Meaning
• Connotative
Meaning
• Synonyms
List some of the words that we use today
• Antonyms
that are common knowledge, but not in
the dictionary. Example: YOLO
• Context Clues ______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
• Close reading
______________________________
• Quote analysis ______________________________
______________________________
READING LITERATURE:
VOCABULARY
Directions: Write the vocabulary word in the center. Then label the shutter folds:
definition, synonyms, antonyms, part of speech, use in a sentence, and illustration.
READING LITERATURE:
VOCABULARY
VOCABULARY
FLASH
CARDS
READING LITERATURE:
VOCABULARY
FLASH CARDS
Definition & Example:
Definition & Example:
Definition & Example:
Definition & Example:
Definition & Example:
Definition & Example:
READING LITERATURE:
VOCABULARY
1
6
2
Character:
_________________
Words that best describe
the character:
5
s
4
3
READING LITERATURE:
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary
Term:
Definition of
Vocabulary
Term:
Page # and
paragraph:
Denotative vs
Connotative
meaning of
the term:
Vocabulary
term used in a
sentence:
Vocabulary
term used in
the novel:
Synonyms &
antonyms in
the word:
Self assess: Do you
understand the
term fully?
READING LITERATURE:
CONTEXT CLUES
Unknown word:
______________________
Surrounding Text:
Unknown word:
______________________
Surrounding Text:
Unknown word:
______________________
Surrounding Text:
Unknown word:
______________________
Surrounding Text:
Vocabulary term:
Cut out and layer each rectangle from tallest to shortest to create a flipbook.
Passage found:
Deeper analysis of the term:
Definition of Vocabulary term
VOCABULARY
READING LITERATURE:
READING LITERATURE:
VOCABULARY
Novel:
________________________
________
CHAPTER #
Author:
________________________