Bonus: Cool Words and Memorable Phrases

Some writers have a knack for selecting just the right words.  Identify a few of your favorite words or phrases.  Include the passage in which it was found.

Always remember the title and author.  Don't forget the page numbers and quotation mark around your passage selection.

Explain why you made your selection.

(I look forward to building my vocabulary and language usage with your responses.)

First Third of Your Book: Writing Prompts

Blog entries must be at least one page long (about 250 words), use appropriate paragraphing, and include evidence from the book to support your responses to the prompt selected. Journals/Blog entries will be graded using the rubric beneath the prompts.  Be sure to include the title and author in your response, as well as, your name.

Select one of the following writing prompt after completing the first third of your book:

1. What questions about the book would you like answered and why? 
2. What character do you like least?  Why?  What character do you like best? Why?
3. What incident or conflict does the author use to begin the story?  Why do you think the author chose this beginning? 
4. What were you feeling after reading the first few pages of the book? Explain why? 
5. Do you think the author is asking you to judge one of the characters?  Why? Do you think the author is asking you to cheer on one of the characters? Why? 

Blog Post Rubric:

	4	3	2	1
Statement/ Topic Sentence	Awesome! Topic sentence includes context, makes a clear argument and explains how and why.	Good job! Topic sentence makes a clear argument and explains how and why.	Okay. Topic sentence has an opinion or argument.	Needs Improvement. This area should be a focus for revision and future effort.
Evidence	Awesome! You provide details using specific examples from your reading. This directly supports your statement and is presented in a clear, concise way.	Good job! You have generally good evidence that supports your statement.	Okay. Your example/ evidence is vague or may not support the selected journal prompt.	Needs Improvement. This area should be a focus for revision and future effort.
Explanation	Awesome! Your explanations are clear and include discussion of multiple facts and evidence from your reading. You clearly explain how the evidence supports the topic sentence.	Good job! Your explanations include 1-2 facts. You clearly explain how the evidence supports the topic sentence.	Okay. There is an attempt to explain the connection between the evidence and the statement, but it is not clear.	Needs Improvement. This area should be a focus for revision and future effort.
Sentence Structure, Diction, Style, and Grammar	Awesome! Your command of written expression shows a high level of sophistication. Demonstrating control of grammar, usage, and punctuation.	Good job! You make strong choices with your words, sentence structure and style that show a promising sophistication.	Okay. You attempt to vary your sentence structure and choose precise words, but this area of your writing still needs attention.	Needs Improvement. Language is very basic and lacks flow or style.

Favorite Character

Every book has them... Characters!  Who was your favorite from the book you have finished?

Identify the book and the author.

Describe the character.  What does he/she look like?  What are his/her favorites?  Do they have qualities you look for in a friend?  Explain it all.

If you have an image of this character in mind, include it in your response.

Bonus: Qualities of a Good Book

What qualities in a book do you find are essential for it to qualify as a "good" book?  In other words what do you look for in a book?  What keeps you reading?  Thinking about the books you read this summer, are they good books or do they lack a quality necessary for them to meet your standards?

Identify the criteria a book meets to be considered a "good" book by your standards. 

Describe a good book that you have read and what qualities it has.

...And... do it in between 75-100 words, give or take.  (We don't want a book length response.  Be concise.)

Bonus: Favorite Places to Read

Reading is one of the most enjoyable pastimes there is.  You can do it anywhere.  Many find curling up with a good book on a rainy day in a comfy chair works for them while others bask in the sun in the middle of a pond reading.

As we begin our summer reading adventure blogging.  Please share with us your favorite places to read and your first title of the summer.

If you would like to post your own discussions, please contact me and I can grant you permission to be a writer for this blog.  Otherwise, please join in the discussions following the blogs that are open.

I am looking forward to sharing in your reading experiences this summer.

Thank you in advance for your sharing!

-Mrs. Carbonneau

 

I love this image from Miracles and Oddities.

Snap a photo of the places you find yourself reading and we'll collect them here as well.

Bonus: Introduce Us to Your Book

You may have finished or are continuing to read one of your summer reading books.  Or perhaps you are even considering a new book to read.  When you respond to this post, begin with the title and author of the book you are introducing us to.  Tell us a little bit about the characters, setting, and plot, but don't tell us too much or we may not consider reading it.

Keep your introduction to less than 200 words, but substantial enough that we are left wanting to read more.

Remember this is an introduction, less than 100 words is most likely inadequate for us to gain insight into the book.

I am looking forward to seeing what everyone is reading this summer.