A double-entry journal is a simple way to record your responses to specific details in the readings while including a citation in MLA format. Below is an example of a double-entry journal.
| Line or Passage | Response |
| “Lines or lines from text….” (Author, page/line #) | This made me think of…. |
| “Line or lines from text…” (Author, page/line #) | When I read this I thought…. |
| “Line or lines from text…” (Author, page /line #) | I felt…when I read this… |
| “Line or lines from text…” (Author, page /line #) | As question I have is… |
This is just a sample to give you an idea of how double-journal entries work. You do not need to start your response with exact words above, but this should give you and idea of what is expected. Be specific in your response–Why did the text make you think of something? What questions do you have about it? What do you like or dislike? Feel free to make associations–did a detail from the text connect to your real life in some way?
I am not asking you to analyze the text. I am asking you to describe how you did or did not connect with the text and why.
A double-journal entry should contain a minimum of 3 examples from the text/texts. Each response should be a minimum of 3-4 sentences.
A note about MLA: An MLA citation includes the author’s last name and the page number that the text you are referring to appears on. For poetry, you should include the author’s last name and the line number(s) of the text you are citing. For examples visit https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_quotations.html