Great Gatsby Double-Entry Journal
Content
The Great Gatsby
You will receive two separate grades for the following assignments:
A double-entry journal
A rhetorical analysis
(Rubrics are on the last page)
Double-Entry Journal:
The purpose of this activity is for you to be an active reader and thinker during
your reading of the text; it is not formal writing. It is a place to record and explore
ideas using writing as a tool for learning. This journal, in essence, is a log that
records the conversation that you are having with the book. This journal will
assist you in compiling textual evidence to be used for various writing
assignments and discussions. Plan to read two-three chapters a week and
submit journal entries accordingly.
Instructions:
1. Draw a line down the middle of the paper, making two columns (see sample below).
You are encouraged to create digital entries if you prefer.
2. The left column is used for direct quotations or particularly important passages from
the reading. Chapter, page, and paragraph numbers must be included.
3. The right column is used for commenting on passages in the left column based on the
assignment for each chapter outlined below. Responses will be at least four sentences
long for each quote or passage discussed.
As you take notes in your journal, you should regularly reread the previous pages of
notes and comments. Please number your passages as you go because your grade will
be based on how many entries you write. At the end of each chapter’s notes and
before you begin the next chapter, write a chapter summary in the right-hand
column.
Chapter 1
Select and note in your journal the page number of two or more passages that
give the reader an understanding of how Nick views Gatsby as a person. Be
sure to discuss Fitzgerald’s word choice (diction) and how Gatsby appears to
differ from Nick. Also, note in your journal two or more passages that discuss the
mood of the dinner party Nick attends in this chapter. Be sure to explain how the
mood is created and what your thoughts are on how this scene might be
important.
(4-5 total passages and responses)
Chapter 2
Select and note in your journal the page number of two or more passages that
best exemplify the character of Tom at this point in the novel. Comment and
discuss your reasons for selecting these passages and how you think Tom will
develop over the course of the novel based on this chapter.
(3-4 total passages and responses)
Chapter 3
Select and note in your journal the page number of two or more passages that
best exemplify the atmosphere of Gatsby’s parties. Be sure to comment on
Fitzgerald’s use of imagery in these passages.
(2-4 total passages and responses)
Chapter 4
Select and note in your journal two or more passages that you find the most
difficult to believe about Gatsby’s background. Explain why these details seem
unlikely to you and be sure to comment on what you think this says about
Gatsby’s character. How might this also be connected to his behavior at his own
parties from the previous chapter?
(2-3 total passages and responses)
Chapter 5
Select and note in your journal two or more passages that you feel best capture
the overall mood of this chapter. Be certain to discuss how Fitzgerald creates
that particular mood in your commentary. Also, select one passage that you feel
shows the connection between Daisy and Gatsby the best. What emotions do
you notice in the passage that you’ve selected?
(3-4 total passages and responses)
Chapter 6
Select and note in your journal two or more passages that you found interesting
in regards to the true story about Gatsby’s past. Discuss how this new
information changes, supports or challenges what you thought about Gatsby
before this new information was learned. Also, select one passage from Nick
and Gatsby’s conversation about the past and discuss your thoughts on Nick’s
views about the ability to recreate past memories and feelings.
(3-4 total passages and responses)
Chapter 7
Select and note two or more passages from this chapter that you feel best
demonstrate the overall mood of the chapter. Be sure to discuss how Fitzgerald
creates this mood and builds it to the emotions that you witnessed.
(2-3 total passages and thoughts)
Chapter 8
Select and note two or more passages that you find the most shocking in this
chapter. Explain what you find so shocking and predict how this scene will
impact the outcome of the novel. Which characters do you think will be most
affected by the event(s) you selected?
(2-3 total passages and thoughts)
Chapter 9
Select and note two or more passages that you find the most powerful in this
chapter. What makes each passage powerful and how do you think this passage
reflects a larger theme or idea?
(2-3 total passages and thoughts)
The Great Gatsby Sample
QUOTE
“In my younger and more vulnerable
years my father gave me some advice
that I’ve been turning over in my mind
ever since. “Whenever you feel like
criticizing anyone,” he told me,”just
remember that all the people in this
world haven’t had the advantages that
you’ve had.” (1.1.1) (Nick)
“I believe that on the first night I went to
Gatsby’s house I was one of the few
guests who had actually been invited.
People were not invited-they went
there.” (3.45.2) (Nick)
RESPONSE
This quote seems to set up the idea
that the narrator belongs to a privileged
group and the advice he gets from his
father could indicate that he might be
one of the nobler characters in this
book because of how much he thinks
about the differences between himself
and those in a lower social class.
Nick’s set-up of the party scene is very
important in explaining how popular a
figure that Gatsby was, even if he was
one that was so mysterious. Could this
mystery be something that hides a
deeper, more troubled individual?
Rhetorical Analysis:
Choose one to two pages from the novel on which to focus for a rhetorical
analysis. Note the chapter and page numbers. In a bulleted list, identify
SOAPSTone for the chosen passage. Then, in a detailed paragraph, discuss how
the author uses one rhetorical device to achieve his purpose in this passage.
RUBRICS
Double-entry journal:
Minimum of 20 quotes/responses = 70
Minimum of 23 quotes/responses = 80
Minimum of 27 quotes/responses = 90
Minimum of 32 quotes/responses = 100
You will lose points if you don’t have summaries written for each chapter!
Rhetorical analysis:
_____Notes chapter and page numbers
Clearly and correctly identifies:
_____Speaker
_____Occasion
_____Audience
_____Purpose
_____Subject
_____Tone
_____Includes a paragraph correctly identifying a rhetorical device.
_____Uses proper spelling, grammar, mechanics, and punctuation
_____Includes an adequate analysis of how the rhetorical device helps the author to
achieve his purpose.
_____/10 =
You will receive two separate grades for the following assignments:
A double-entry journal
A rhetorical analysis
(Rubrics are on the last page)
Double-Entry Journal:
The purpose of this activity is for you to be an active reader and thinker during
your reading of the text; it is not formal writing. It is a place to record and explore
ideas using writing as a tool for learning. This journal, in essence, is a log that
records the conversation that you are having with the book. This journal will
assist you in compiling textual evidence to be used for various writing
assignments and discussions. Plan to read two-three chapters a week and
submit journal entries accordingly.
Instructions:
1. Draw a line down the middle of the paper, making two columns (see sample below).
You are encouraged to create digital entries if you prefer.
2. The left column is used for direct quotations or particularly important passages from
the reading. Chapter, page, and paragraph numbers must be included.
3. The right column is used for commenting on passages in the left column based on the
assignment for each chapter outlined below. Responses will be at least four sentences
long for each quote or passage discussed.
As you take notes in your journal, you should regularly reread the previous pages of
notes and comments. Please number your passages as you go because your grade will
be based on how many entries you write. At the end of each chapter’s notes and
before you begin the next chapter, write a chapter summary in the right-hand
column.
Chapter 1
Select and note in your journal the page number of two or more passages that
give the reader an understanding of how Nick views Gatsby as a person. Be
sure to discuss Fitzgerald’s word choice (diction) and how Gatsby appears to
differ from Nick. Also, note in your journal two or more passages that discuss the
mood of the dinner party Nick attends in this chapter. Be sure to explain how the
mood is created and what your thoughts are on how this scene might be
important.
(4-5 total passages and responses)
Chapter 2
Select and note in your journal the page number of two or more passages that
best exemplify the character of Tom at this point in the novel. Comment and
discuss your reasons for selecting these passages and how you think Tom will
develop over the course of the novel based on this chapter.
(3-4 total passages and responses)
Chapter 3
Select and note in your journal the page number of two or more passages that
best exemplify the atmosphere of Gatsby’s parties. Be sure to comment on
Fitzgerald’s use of imagery in these passages.
(2-4 total passages and responses)
Chapter 4
Select and note in your journal two or more passages that you find the most
difficult to believe about Gatsby’s background. Explain why these details seem
unlikely to you and be sure to comment on what you think this says about
Gatsby’s character. How might this also be connected to his behavior at his own
parties from the previous chapter?
(2-3 total passages and responses)
Chapter 5
Select and note in your journal two or more passages that you feel best capture
the overall mood of this chapter. Be certain to discuss how Fitzgerald creates
that particular mood in your commentary. Also, select one passage that you feel
shows the connection between Daisy and Gatsby the best. What emotions do
you notice in the passage that you’ve selected?
(3-4 total passages and responses)
Chapter 6
Select and note in your journal two or more passages that you found interesting
in regards to the true story about Gatsby’s past. Discuss how this new
information changes, supports or challenges what you thought about Gatsby
before this new information was learned. Also, select one passage from Nick
and Gatsby’s conversation about the past and discuss your thoughts on Nick’s
views about the ability to recreate past memories and feelings.
(3-4 total passages and responses)
Chapter 7
Select and note two or more passages from this chapter that you feel best
demonstrate the overall mood of the chapter. Be sure to discuss how Fitzgerald
creates this mood and builds it to the emotions that you witnessed.
(2-3 total passages and thoughts)
Chapter 8
Select and note two or more passages that you find the most shocking in this
chapter. Explain what you find so shocking and predict how this scene will
impact the outcome of the novel. Which characters do you think will be most
affected by the event(s) you selected?
(2-3 total passages and thoughts)
Chapter 9
Select and note two or more passages that you find the most powerful in this
chapter. What makes each passage powerful and how do you think this passage
reflects a larger theme or idea?
(2-3 total passages and thoughts)
The Great Gatsby Sample
QUOTE
“In my younger and more vulnerable
years my father gave me some advice
that I’ve been turning over in my mind
ever since. “Whenever you feel like
criticizing anyone,” he told me,”just
remember that all the people in this
world haven’t had the advantages that
you’ve had.” (1.1.1) (Nick)
“I believe that on the first night I went to
Gatsby’s house I was one of the few
guests who had actually been invited.
People were not invited-they went
there.” (3.45.2) (Nick)
RESPONSE
This quote seems to set up the idea
that the narrator belongs to a privileged
group and the advice he gets from his
father could indicate that he might be
one of the nobler characters in this
book because of how much he thinks
about the differences between himself
and those in a lower social class.
Nick’s set-up of the party scene is very
important in explaining how popular a
figure that Gatsby was, even if he was
one that was so mysterious. Could this
mystery be something that hides a
deeper, more troubled individual?
Rhetorical Analysis:
Choose one to two pages from the novel on which to focus for a rhetorical
analysis. Note the chapter and page numbers. In a bulleted list, identify
SOAPSTone for the chosen passage. Then, in a detailed paragraph, discuss how
the author uses one rhetorical device to achieve his purpose in this passage.
RUBRICS
Double-entry journal:
Minimum of 20 quotes/responses = 70
Minimum of 23 quotes/responses = 80
Minimum of 27 quotes/responses = 90
Minimum of 32 quotes/responses = 100
You will lose points if you don’t have summaries written for each chapter!
Rhetorical analysis:
_____Notes chapter and page numbers
Clearly and correctly identifies:
_____Speaker
_____Occasion
_____Audience
_____Purpose
_____Subject
_____Tone
_____Includes a paragraph correctly identifying a rhetorical device.
_____Uses proper spelling, grammar, mechanics, and punctuation
_____Includes an adequate analysis of how the rhetorical device helps the author to
achieve his purpose.
_____/10 =
