Avoid the horror of readers straining to recall details of Joseph Conrad's complex Heart of Darkness. Instead provide scholars with a frame for their note taking. As they read, class members record evidence to support their responses to 10 reading prompts in an active reading journal.

Concepts

joseph conrad, heart of darkness, frame stories, motifs, impressionism, colonialism, active reading

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Instructional Ideas

• Present the Active Reading Journal assignment at the beginning of the unit so that pupils can record evidence as they read
• Model how to create an entry or save and project an entry from previous years
• As a practice exercise for the AP exam, have scholars use the information in their journals to respond to the 2016 or 2018 English Literature and Composition Free Response Question

Classroom Considerations

• Designed for an advanced or AP level language arts class

Pros

• The prompts focus readers' attention on key elements and themes of the novel

Cons

• Although there is no rubric, the assignment sheet is detailed and very specific about what is required
  

Common Core

RL.11-12.1 RL.11-12.2 RL.11-12.4 RL.11-12.5