dialectical journals: what are they and how do i write my own?

Dialectical JournalsDialectical Journals: What are : What are they and how do I write my they and how do I write my

own?own?

What is a dialectical journal?What is a dialectical journal?

A dialectical journal is a record of your A dialectical journal is a record of your dialogue (conversation) with the book dialogue (conversation) with the book you are reading. It is also called a you are reading. It is also called a double entry or reader response double entry or reader response journal. In this journal, you will write journal. In this journal, you will write down your thoughts, questions, down your thoughts, questions, comments, predictions, and ideas while comments, predictions, and ideas while you read. The process helps you you read. The process helps you develop critical reading skills and develop critical reading skills and encourage you to expand your encourage you to expand your reflective writing. reflective writing.

Purpose of the JournalsPurpose of the Journals

Analyze the text for use of literary devices (tone, structure, Analyze the text for use of literary devices (tone, structure, style, imagery)style, imagery)

Make connections between different characters or events in Make connections between different characters or events in the textthe text

Make connections to a different text (or film, song, etc…)Make connections to a different text (or film, song, etc…) Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or

character(s) character(s) Consider an event or description from the perspective of a Consider an event or description from the perspective of a

different characterdifferent character Analyze a passage and its relationship to the story as a Analyze a passage and its relationship to the story as a

wholewhole

Format…Format…

On the top of the first page (title On the top of the first page (title page), record the following page), record the following information:information:

1)1) Title of the novelTitle of the novel2)2) Author nameAuthor name3)3) Your nameYour name4)4) Due dateDue date5)5) Class PeriodClass Period6)6) Teacher NameTeacher Name

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men Requirements Requirements

You must include:You must include:A minimum of 5 journalA minimum of 5 journalentries per chapter for a entries per chapter for a totaltotal

of of 30 journal entries of a 30 journal entries of a half page each (15-16 half page each (15-16 pages total)pages total)..


The entries must:The entries must:

1.1. NOT be diary or personal NOT be diary or personal journal entries, as they are journal entries, as they are academic and may be read to the academic and may be read to the class.class.

2.2. Contain literary terminology Contain literary terminology used correctly and underlined.used correctly and underlined.

Each literary term cannot be used Each literary term cannot be used more than 3 times.more than 3 times.


YOU MUST USE AND YOU MUST USE AND UNDERLINEUNDERLINE LITERARY LITERARY TERMINOLOGY IN YOUR ENTRIESTERMINOLOGY IN YOUR ENTRIES!!

Examples:Examples:

Alliteration, allusion, antagonist, Alliteration, allusion, antagonist, characterization (flat / round, static / characterization (flat / round, static / dynamic), climax, conflicts, dynamic), climax, conflicts, foreshadowing, hyperbole, imagery, irony, foreshadowing, hyperbole, imagery, irony, metaphor, mood, personification, plot (5 metaphor, mood, personification, plot (5 parts to this…), point of view, protagonist, parts to this…), point of view, protagonist, setting, simile, symbol, theme, tone…)setting, simile, symbol, theme, tone…)

Dialectical EntriesDialectical Entries

Quote: “And I wish Quote: “And I wish my name was my name was Cassandra or Alexis Cassandra or Alexis or Maritza – anything or Maritza – anything but Esperanza…” (pg. but Esperanza…” (pg. 17)17)

Reflection on quote: I think every Reflection on quote: I think every girl wishes she could change her girl wishes she could change her name at some point in time. I name at some point in time. I tired of my own name growing up tired of my own name growing up because there were 3 other girls because there were 3 other girls with the same name in the class. with the same name in the class. Esperanza, meaning hope, is a Esperanza, meaning hope, is a beautiful name and I wonder how beautiful name and I wonder how anyone would want to change it. I anyone would want to change it. I don’t think this is about names, don’t think this is about names, but about one’s identity and but about one’s identity and being comfortable with it. being comfortable with it. Esperanza wants to change her Esperanza wants to change her name so it will sound Western, name so it will sound Western, modern like the other girls. It is modern like the other girls. It is sad when trying to fit in keeps us sad when trying to fit in keeps us from feeling pride about from feeling pride about

ourselves.ourselves.

Some Dialectical Journal Sentence Some Dialectical Journal Sentence StartersStarters

Sample Sentence Starters:Sample Sentence Starters: ““I really don’t understand this because…”I really don’t understand this because…” ““I really dislike/like this idea because…”I really dislike/like this idea because…” ““I think the author is trying to say that…”I think the author is trying to say that…” ““This passage reminds me of a time in my life This passage reminds me of a time in my life

when…”when…” ““If I were (name of character) at this point I If I were (name of character) at this point I

would…”would…” ““This part doesn’t make sense because…”This part doesn’t make sense because…” ““This character reminds me of (name of person) This character reminds me of (name of person)

because…” because…”

Some Dialectical Journal Sentence Some Dialectical Journal Sentence StartersStarters

Sample Sentence Starters:Sample Sentence Starters:““The imagery reveals . . .” The imagery reveals . . .” ““The setting gives the effect of . . .” The setting gives the effect of . . .” ““The author seems to feel . . .” The author seems to feel . . .” ““The tone of this part is . . .” The tone of this part is . . .” ““The character(s) feel(s) . . .” The character(s) feel(s) . . .” ““This is ironic because . . .” This is ironic because . . .” ““The detail is effective/out of place/important because The detail is effective/out of place/important because

. . .” . . .” ““An interesting word/phrase/sentence/thought is . . .” An interesting word/phrase/sentence/thought is . . .” ““This reminds me of . . .” This reminds me of . . .” ““Something I notice/appreciate/don’t Something I notice/appreciate/don’t

appreciate/wonder about is . . .”appreciate/wonder about is . . .”

Grading: For a high score, the Grading: For a high score, the following must be present…following must be present…

Features detailed, meaningful Features detailed, meaningful passages & quote selections passages & quote selections

Coverage of text is complete & Coverage of text is complete & thorough thorough

Journal is neat, organized, & Journal is neat, organized, & professional looking; student has professional looking; student has followed directions for organization followed directions for organization of the journal. of the journal.


Uses thoughtful interpretation & Uses thoughtful interpretation & commentary; avoids clichés commentary; avoids clichés

Makes insightful personal Makes insightful personal connections connections

Asks thought-provoking & insightful Asks thought-provoking & insightful questions questions


A strong interest in the material as A strong interest in the material as evidenced through an awareness of evidenced through an awareness of levels of meaning levels of meaning

Judgments are textually & Judgments are textually & experientially based experientially based

Predictions are thoughtful & keenly Predictions are thoughtful & keenly observed observed


Character analysis is consistent with Character analysis is consistent with the material presented the material presented

Show an understanding of character Show an understanding of character motivation motivation

Comparisons & connections are Comparisons & connections are found between text & other literary & found between text & other literary & artistic work artistic work


Recognizes the author’s writing Recognizes the author’s writing choices & reasons for those choices choices & reasons for those choices

Awareness that their own personal Awareness that their own personal beliefs may differ from those beliefs may differ from those expressed in the text expressed in the text

Demonstrates an awareness of point Demonstrates an awareness of point of view of view

Journal Due DateJournal Due Date

The journal is due at the conclusion The journal is due at the conclusion of the reading of the novel (see of the reading of the novel (see reading schedule). reading schedule).

Please follow the guidelines provided Please follow the guidelines provided to ensure the highest possible grade to ensure the highest possible grade on your work.on your work.

Show me that you read, have Show me that you read, have thought about, and understand the thought about, and understand the

novel…novel…

dialectical journals: what are they and how do i write my own?

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