Level III

Dear Diary Book Report

Assignment:

Part I

  1. You will pretend to be the protagonist of your library book. As the action unfolds, you will keep a diary/journal entry and react to your situation.
  2. Each diary/journal entry will begin with a quotation from the book, documented with aninternal footnote.
  3. Your reaction will be to the quotation, explaining how the situation is affecting you, what you would like to change, etc. Be sure that you explain all the characters, events, etc. in your life so that your entries are clear. Each entry will be100 words minimum.
  4. You will have one entryinvolving the setting, a minimum of four entries involving rising actions, one entry reacting to the climax of the novel, and one regarding a falling action.
  5. Each entry will be illustrated in some way to depict the action/event about which you are writing. This must be creative, hand drawn and colored. Stick figures are not creative.
  6. Of course you must include three smiley-face tricks per entry that are labeled. (You may not use the same one twice per entry)
  7. Part II

You will chose from one of the following to add as the last page of the diary.

  1. A 2 paragraph essayin which you discuss similarities and differences of this story to another one by the same author.
  2. Make a notebook graffiti page where the character doodles random thoughts they may have thought throughout the story. For example you might include their favorite ice cream flavor, a love interest, a silly picture of someone in the story, a mini poem about someone in the story etc.
  3. Make a to-do list/agenda of at least ten items that the character may have to accomplish throughout the novel. Around the page, place at least three artifacts that the character may have collected from somewhere in the story. For example, they may have saved a movie ticket or post card from somewhere.
  4. Draw a family portrait of the main character and label each of the characters.
  5. Addition of your choice. You must have prior approval!

Assembly of Project Checklist:

The project must be typed. You may use any font for the diary as long as it is legible and there is enough room at the bottom of the page for you to include your drawing. We will go to the computer lab on one or two days. If you do not think you will finish in school and you do not have a computer at home, please make arrangements to stay after school.

Smiley-Face tricks must be labeled!

You may chose to bind the project together in any way you like. Be creative. You should include the following in your assembly.

  • A title page where you list the title of your book and bibliographic information as well as your name
  • Journal entries in sequential order
  • Part II choice

Grading: See attached rubric

Any Project that is incomplete or does not meet the guidelines set forth in this outline will be returned and marked “Not Ready to Grade”and will receive a reduction of five points for everyday that it is late.

Parent Signature:

Dear Diary Book Report

Rubric

Writing Rubric (15):

3 Different Smiley Face Tricks per entry (labeled) / /9
Content of journal relates to the quote / /3
Documentation Used Correctly / /3

Project Rubric (40)

Title Page (name, title, bibliography) / /3
7 Journal Entries (2 each) / /14
Part II / /3
Neatness (typed and drawings in color) / /15
Creatively Bound Together and in sequential order / /5
Turned in on time (-5 for each day late) / /0
Total / /55

**This must be submitted with the final project or your project will be marked “Not Ready to Grade.” You will also only receive one copy! Additional copies can be found on Mrs. Duffey’s website.

Dear Diary Book Report

Example

“Also, he had a mongrel dog, whom he taught to whine in the funniest manner, introducing him to Katrina as a rival of Ichabod’s to instruct her in music” (58).

Dear Diary,

That big bullyBrom Bones! (alliteration) Who does he think he is anyway? Can’t he see that Katrina is clearly more interested in a gallant gentleman of my pedigree? I am smarter, I am wiser, I am more gentle, and I am better looking with my emerald eyes(metaphor). Jeepers, I am Ichabod Crane the school teacher for heaven’s sake!(rep. for effect) My singing is just fine; In fact, I sing more beautifully than a nightingale(simile). Just today when I was teaching Katrina my wisdom of the vocal arena, she did nothing but compliment me. I just can’t resist her when she starts talking about all the lovely foods her father’s servants prepare for their family dinners. If I had to guess, I’d say she shows her ankles on purpose when I’m around. She’s so fickle though! If that Brom keeps trying to embarrass me in front of her like he did today with that ugly hound, I’ll never win her heart. Oh my, oh me…what’s a man to do? I’ll keep sneaking off to her house and teaching her to sing while I try to win her heart(M3). Maybe that will show Katrina who I am before Brom can show her who he thinks he is(full-circle ending).

Dear Diary Book Report

Quote Outline

  1. Setting:______
  1. Rising Action:______
  2. Rising Action:______
  3. Rising Action:______
  4. Rising Action:______
  5. Climax:______
  6. Falling Action:______