When responding it is very important that you begin with a heading. I need to know the title and author of the book you are reading as well as the page numbers you are responding to. (Paper Towns, John Green, 25-98)
The following reader-response questions will help you react personally and honestly to the books you read.. This list is not meant to cover all of the issues that might concern you, and it should be used only when you need a starting point for writing. Your own thoughts and feelings are always the best source of ideas for journal writing.
From Your Notebook
- A character that I like is.... ( not only identify the character but
- tell what you liked about him/her/it).
- I don't understand why... happened because...
- I don't understand why ( character’s name) did... because...
- I will bet that ... will happen next. I think this because...
- I really hate ... because
- This piece is very interesting because...
- The same thing that happened to this character happened to me when...
- I can understand how the character feels because...
- Where this story takes place is very important because...
- If I was ... I would ... because...
- One thing the author really has me thinking about is...
- After reading this piece I am thinking more about...
- This piece made me aware of ...
- Some advice that I have for ( name the character) is.... I would give
- Her this advice because....
- I will read more works by this author because...
- One thing I would have changed in this work is... because....
- I would/not recommend this piece to my friends because...
- I really need someone to explain ...
- The author's use of ( include a literary element) helped me to
- understand the story better because...
- This story was believable because....
- An important symbol in this piece is...
- The central conflict of this piece is ...
- If I was in the character's situation, I would ...
- After reading this piece, I would like to know more about...
- The thing I like most about this piece so far is...
- I predict that _____ is going to happen... ( Be sure to explain why
- you think so )
- I'm no longer going to read this piece because...
Making Connections
1. What were your feelings after reading the opening chapter(s) of
this book? After reading half of the book? After finishing the book?
2. Did this book make you laugh? Cry? Cringe? Smile? Cheer?
Explain.
3. What connections are there between the book and your life?
Explain.
4. What is the most important word in the book? The most important
passage? The most important event or feeling? Explain.
5. Who should or should not read this book? Why?
Points of Interest
6. What are the best parts of the book? Why? What are the worst
parts? Why?
7. Do you like the ending of the book? Why or why not? Do you think
there is more to tell? What do you think might happen next? Why?
8. What came as a surprise in the book? Why?
9. What parts of the book seem most believable or unbelievable? Why?
10. What makes you wonder in this book? What confuses you?
Strictly in Character
11. In what ways are you like any of the characters? Explain.
12. Do any of the characters remind you of friends, family members or
classmates? Explain.
13. Which character would you like to be in this book? Why?
14. What would you and your favorite character talk about in your
first conversation? Begin the conversation.
Careful Reflection
15. Do you think the title fits the book? Why or why not?
16. What was the author saying about life and living through this
book?
17. Has this book helped in any way? Explain.
18. How have you changed after reading this book? Explain.
19. What do you know now that you didn't know before?
20. What questions in this book would you liked answered?
1. What were your feelings after reading the opening chapter(s) of
this book? After reading half of the book? After finishing the book?
2. Did this book make you laugh? Cry? Cringe? Smile? Cheer?
Explain.
3. What connections are there between the book and your life?
Explain.
4. What is the most important word in the book? The most important
passage? The most important event or feeling? Explain.
5. Who should or should not read this book? Why?
Points of Interest
6. What are the best parts of the book? Why? What are the worst
parts? Why?
7. Do you like the ending of the book? Why or why not? Do you think
there is more to tell? What do you think might happen next? Why?
8. What came as a surprise in the book? Why?
9. What parts of the book seem most believable or unbelievable? Why?
10. What makes you wonder in this book? What confuses you?
Strictly in Character
11. In what ways are you like any of the characters? Explain.
12. Do any of the characters remind you of friends, family members or
classmates? Explain.
13. Which character would you like to be in this book? Why?
14. What would you and your favorite character talk about in your
first conversation? Begin the conversation.
Careful Reflection
15. Do you think the title fits the book? Why or why not?
16. What was the author saying about life and living through this
book?
17. Has this book helped in any way? Explain.
18. How have you changed after reading this book? Explain.
19. What do you know now that you didn't know before?
20. What questions in this book would you liked answered?
