Summer Reading
Double-Entry Diary Assignment
To construct knowledge, we have to actively interact with and manipulate the raw materials. A double entry
diary is one way to interact with what we read, increase critical thinking skills, and create a meaningful
construction – namely, a better understanding of what we read.
What is it?
A double-entry diary allows us to record notes on one side of the page (left) and to use the other side to
comment on those notes (right)
What kind of journal should I use?
Make sure you find something you will use as your read. If you want to write on loose-leaf sheets, fine.
Whatever you use, make sure it’s with you when you read.
Rationale
The main idea behind double-entry diary is that we retain more and we learn more deeply when we reflect on
our thinking. The initial side of the diary allows us to get our thoughts down quickly, just as they occur. The
other side of the diary allows us to step back from the initial thoughts and consider implications, connections,
and further questions. We also learn more about our strengths and challenges as readers, scholars, and
writers.
During reading…(Left side of the page)
Listen to the questions and observations your mind makes as you read, and capture those mind-noises on
paper. Some things to note in your diary – aside from the page number – might be places in the text where
you:
 are confused, puzzled, or surprised
 struck by the language or an image
 can relate the text to something in your life or to another text or to something happening locally or
globally
 can predict what might happen
 react strongly
You may want to use one or more of these to help you create your notes:
 a paraphrase of a complex segment of text
 a possible explanation of confusing material
 a main idea from the text and why it is important
 a strong positive or negative reaction and an explanation of that reaction
 a reason for agreeing or disagreeing with the author
 a comparison and/or contrast of a passage with another text (movie, book, magazine article, etc.)
or with prior knowledge
 a prediction based on evidence from the text
 a question generated as a result of reading, viewing, or hearing the text
 a description of a personal experience that relates to the text
 a picture of what you visualize while reading
 a quote from the passage that moves you
After reading… (Right side of the page)
Reread your notes. On the other side of the page or the notebook, write down any answers you have found.
Write down any thoughts, comments, or questions that jump into your mind as you re-read your initial notes.
Follow your thoughts. Note things you might want to research or study further. SUMMARIES ARE
PROHIBITED!
Different Ways to Format your Journal
During Reading Notes & Passages
from the Text…
(Left Hand Side)
Page #
After Reading Notes, Comments, Responses,
& Reflections…
(Right Hand Side)
Quotes from the text
Visual commentary (drawings, visual
analogies, doodles)
Quotes from the text
Written reactions, reflections, commentary,
musings (“Hmmm…”)
Quotes from the text
Connections
 Text to text
(Ex. This reminds me of another
book I have read…)
 Text to Self
( Ex. This reminds me of the time
when my mom and I…)
 Text to world
(Ex. This reminds me of the recent
news story I read about…)
Observations, details revealed by close reading
Significance to the text
What the text says…
Why you think the text says this…
Questions: “I wonder why…”
Possible answers: “Maybe it is because…”
Quotes from texts
Questions (Clarifying & Probing): “I am
confused about…”
Quotes from texts
Social Questions (Race, class, gender
inequalities)
Quotes from texts
Thinking Prompts:
 This reminds me of…
 I remember a time when…
 I predict…
 I think this means…
 I wonder...
Quotes from texts
Naming Literary or Persuasive (Rhetorical)
Techniques
Please Note: You DO NOT have to follow the pattern of journaling above. These are merely suggestions to help move you along
through the process. By the time you finish reading your book, you have at least 20 entries in your diary that address the entire
book, so pace yourself. Also the entries on the left side of the page should take up to ½ to ¾ of a page for each entry. These DEDs will
be due on the first day of school, and they will comprise a significant portion of your first term grade. So remember to
question, predict, clarify, connect and evaluate as you read.