Diary Entry for a Character

YOUR NAME: ________________________________________

Write a one-page diary entry for a character in your book. Pretend to be a character and write in the first-person
(“I”). Focus on identifying a conflict faced by the character and how the character felt about dealing with the conflict.
Suggest how your character might have been changed by the experience.

1. What conflict did your character face?

2. How did your character deal with the conflict?
3. What details can you share about how your character felt about dealing with the conflict?
4. How was your character changed or was your character changed by the experience?
5. Below your diary entry, DISSECT at least 10 difficult words you encountered while reading. Next to each
word, include the page number from the book where the word was found.

YOU MUST TURN IN THIS SHEET WITH YOUR PROJECT.

RUBRIC I’m not there yet (1 pt.) I’m getting there (3 pts.) I’m there now (5 pts.)
Information about My diary entry provides little My diary entry somewhat My diary entry thoroughly
the book information about my character’s explains my character’s explains my character’s
conflict and how my character conflict and how my conflict and how my
deals with the conflict. character deals with the character deals with the
conflict. conflict.
Reasoning My diary entry presents little or My diary entry presents My diary entry presents
no information about how my adequate details about how extensive details about how
character felt and was changed my character felt and was my character felt and was
by the conflict. changed by the conflict. changed by the conflicts.
Spelling, grammar I did not check my work and I checked my work but I I completely checked my
and punctuation there are many spelling, missed a few spelling, work and it is well written
grammar, and/or punctuation grammar, and/or punctuation with no errors in spelling,
errors. errors. grammar, or punctuation.
Neatness and effort I did not put forth my best effort My diary entry is fairly My diary entry is neat and it
so my diary entry is not the best readable but the neatness is easy to read.
it can be. and effort does not show my
best work.
Completeness of My diary entry includes few of My diary entry includes less My diary entry includes all of
information the items in the directions. than half of the items in the the items in the directions.
directions.
Student example for reference only:
Book Title: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Author: J.K. Rowling

When I heard that I got expelled from Hogwarts School, I was distraught. Luckily, I was trapped in my own room to face my
punishment since my evil Uncle Vernon told me that I’ve already caused enough trouble for him and his annoying son, Dudley. It
wasn’t fair. I was only trying to protect Dudley from the Dementors but Uncle Vernon still blamed me for almost getting him
killed. Next thing I know, I was visited by a group of wizards. They brought me to my godfather’s house to discuss the fact that
Voldemort was back. I’ve known this for a while now because I’ve been having nightmares and sometimes I feel really angry
with the people I’m close to. When I was able to go back to Hogwarts, I learned that we had a new teacher named Delores
Umbridge, who was replacing Severus Snape to teach us Defense against the Dark Arts. I find her very strict.
Weeks after, I was having many nightmares but this time, they were more disturbing. After Hermione and I
blackmailed Professor Umbridge, the centaurs took her with them. The following day, my friends and I were after glass sphere
that was named after me and Voldemort. Dementors arrived and we fought. I felt like this was the last time I would breathe and
see my friends. Next thing I knew, my godfather arrived as well. While we were fighting the Dementors, somehow I got
distracted by the sound of a glass shattering from the ground. When I looked up, I saw my godfather’s own cousin kill him with a
curse. I cried to myself in pain while I tried to run after his cousin. I felt infuriated for the first time. This was my first time seeing
a family member die in front of me. I can’t stand the thought of seeing him in my mind all the time. It feels that I’m responsible
for what happened back there and I will never ever forgive myself.

Created by Mandy Payne, Swain County Xtreme Reading, using activities from Xtreme Reading and Pembroke Publishers ©2012 Ban the Book Report .