Romeo and Juliet – JOURNAL ENTRIES

ACTIVITY: You may complete this activity as you watch/read Romeo and Juliet.

Review your “Forms of Writing” document. Pay special attention to the CAPITALIZED verbs in
the Journal Entries below as they guide you to develop your ideas under a specific form. For
example, if you choose for Journal #1 to write about TOPIC 1/LOVE, then you will mainly
write in the EXPOSITION form because the words that are capitalized include “LIST” and
“EXPLAIN”. You will also write in the NARRATION form at the end because you are also asked
to “TELL…”.

Please stay on topic and develop your ideas fully.

Write in complete sentences 1 paragraph per Journal Entry (approximately 6-8

sentences/150 words)

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JOURNAL #1 - “CHOOSE 1 of 3”
Write a paragraph that answers 1 of the 3 questions below:
1/ LOVE
LIST 3 qualities of an ideal boyfriend/girlfriend and EXPLAIN why each one is so important.
Then, make a LIST of 5 positive qualities you bring to a relationship and TELL a story about a
time when you displayed one of those qualities.
2/ HATE
IDENTIFY some reasons that people fight and hold grudges. What are some common effects?
TELL a story of a personal experience that ILLUSTRATES one effect of holding a grudge OR
SUMMARIZE one that you know of (from a text, movie, historical event).
3/ OBEDIENCE
At this stage of your life, IDENTIFY 3 of the most significant things that your parents are in
charge/control of concerning your well-being. DESCRIBE a situation that involved one of the
things you identified. Were you happy with the outcome? EXPLAIN why.

JOURNAL #2 – Act 1, scene 1

Write a paragraph that answers the question:
There are many references to the mythological god and goddess Cupid and Diana in this scene.
EXAMINE each of these figures to find out as much as you can. INTERPRET why mythological
characters such as Cupid and Diana, specifically, have remained so popular to readers, viewers
and writers.

JOURNAL #3 – Act 1, scene 5

Write a paragraph that answers the question:
“Love at first sight is real.” What is your opinion? ARGUE for or against this statement and give
at least 2 EXAMPLES (from reality or t.v/movies/books) to support your opinion.
JOURNAL #4 - Act 2, scene 6
Write a paragraph that answers the question:
“Love is blind.” EXPLAIN what this common expression means to you. Then, ARGUE for or
against this statement and give at least 2 EXAMPLES (from reality or t.v/movies/books) to
support your opinion.

JOURNAL #5 – Act 3, scene 1

Write a paragraph that answers the question:
DESCRIBE a person you know who is always looking for a fight (what are his/her
characteristics?).
OR
DESCRIBE a person you know who never wants to fight under any circumstances (what are
his/her characteristics?).

JOURNAL #6 – Act 3, scene 3

Write a paragraph that answers the question:
RELATE an incident in which a person gave you advice in order to help you deal with a difficult
problem. In the end, TELL how valuable this advice proved to be.

JOURNAL #7– Act 4, scene 1

Write a paragraph that answers the question:
RELATE an incident in which you (or someone you know of) took desperate measures to avoid
doing something you really didn’t want to do.

JOURNAL #8 – Act 4, scene 2

Write a paragraph that answers the question:
Using Juliet as an example, EXAMINE the consequences of telling lies. What advice would you
give to a friend who is considering lying/cheating that might CONVINCE him/her against it?

JOURNAL #9 - Act 5, scene 1

Write a paragraph that answers the question:
Recall a time when you had to make a difficult decision. DESCRIBE the circumstances of the
situation and how you came to your decision. Finally, were you happy with the way thing
worked out or do you wish you had decided differently? EXPLAIN.

JOURNAL #10 - AFTER VIEWING/READING

Write a paragraph that answers the question:
Plays often end with some kind of satisfactory resolution. In this play, there may be a sense
that order has been restored and peace has been re=established. How do you INTERPRET the
ending? Develop your OPINION with supporting EXAMPLES/details.