What is it?
A double-entry journal (also known as a two-sided or dialectical journal) allows us to record notes on one side of the page (left or right, top or bottom) or on one page left or right) and to use the other side to comment on those notes.

What kind of journal should I use?
Make sure you find something you will use as you read. If you need something small, fine. If you want to write on loose-leaf sheets, fine. Whatever you use, make sure it's with you when you read.

Rationale
The main idea behind double-entry journals is that we retain more and we learn more deeply when we use metacognition, or reflecting on our thinking. The initial side of the journal allows us to get our thoughts down quickly, just as they occur. The other side of the journal allows us to step back from the initial thoughts and consider implications, connections, and further questions.We also learn more about our strengths and challenges as readers, scholars, and writers.

As you read ...
Listen to the questions and observations your mind makes as you read and capture those mind-noises on paper. Some things to note in your reading journal might be places in the text where you

• are confused, puzzled, or surprised
• struck by the language or an image
• can relate the text to something in your life or to another text or to something happening locally or globally
• can predict what might happen
• react strongly

After you finish reading...
Re-read your notes. On the other side of the page or the notebook, write down any answers you've found. Write down any thoughts, comments, or questions that jump into your mind as you re-read your initial notes. Follow your thoughts. Note things you might want to research or study further.

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