How to Start a Reading Journal

Decide What Type of Reading Journal to Start

• 1

  Create a reading journal in a spreadsheet format. Use a software program such as Excel (or a similar one). Generate fields for headings you want to include in your reading journal such as name of book, author, notes and chapter numbers.

• 2

  Buy a notebook to start a handwritten reading journal. Select a book with lined pages to keep your writing organized and wide margins for expanded note-taking.

• 3

  Start a reading journal to use online. Create a PDF or Word document for your reading journal where you can type in text and post it on a website or email it to others.

Start a Reading Journal for an Educator

• 4

  Establish a format for the reading journal that will help students analyze a particular book.

• 5

  Formulate sections that will enhance a student's reading experience. Consider making categories for title/author of book, genre, audience, annotation, review, questions and comparison.

• 6

  Learn more about the type of content in a reading journal at the International Network of Writing-Across-the-Curriculum website (see Resources below).

Start a Booklover's Reading Journal

• 7

  Select a notebook that is comfortable for you to write in. Make sure the size of the book has room for many notations and easy note-taking.

• 8

  Consider buying a loose-leaf style journal where you can add photocopies, section dividers and easily discard or insert pages.

• 9

  Record each book you read in the journal. Dedicate a page or less for each chapter.

• 10

  Take notes as you read. Make notations about scenes, dialog, questions and other inspirational feelings that occur. The notes for your reading journal can run the gamut from how a passage touches your heart to critical comments about the writing.