Dialectical Journals

DIALECTICAL JOURNALS

The term “Dialectic” means “the art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.” Think of your dialectical journal as a series of conversations with the texts we read during this course. The process is meant to help you develop a better understanding of the texts we read. Use your journal to incorporate your personal responses to the texts, your ideas about the themes we cover and our class discussions. You will find that it is a useful way to process what you’re reading, prepare yourself for group discussion, and gather textual evidence for your Literary Analysis assignments.

PROCEDURE: o As you read, choose passages that stand out to you and record them in the left-hand column of a T-chart (ALWAYS include page numbers). Look for quotes that seem significant, powerful, thought provoking or puzzling. For example, you might record:  Effective &/or creative use of stylistic or literary devices  Passages that remind you of your own life or something you’ve seen before  Structural shifts or turns in the plot  A passage that makes you realize something you hadn’t seen before  Examples of patterns: recurring images, ideas, colors, symbols or motifs.  Passages with confusing language or unfamiliar vocabulary  Events you find surprising or confusing  Passages that illustrate a particular character or setting

o In the right column, write your response to the text (ideas/insights, questions, reflections, and comments on each passage) o Complete no less than 1 entry per night of reading. Keep in mind that this is the minimum, and grading will reflect this. In other words, there is a different between adequate and exemplary.

(Brief) Sample Dialectical Journal entry: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Passages from the text Pg#s Comments & Questions

“ Shoot all the blue jays you For one of the first times in the novel, the title phrase actually want, if you can hit ‘em, but Pg occurs. It’s important to know, now, that readers can see that the remember it’s a sin to kill a 90 title refers to innocence, or its destruction. A reader could guess mockingbird…I asked Miss at this point that this innocence might be that of the children, or Maudie about it…she said perhaps the mysterious Boo Radley. So, a clear symbol is ‘Mockingbirds don’t do one established here…mockingbird= innocence…death of thing but make music for us mockingbird= death of innocence. to enjoy…they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out Also, from a purely plot level, this is ironic because this comes for us. That’s why it’s a sin up in a chapter where Atticus is criticized for “not doing to kill a mockingbird” anything” then immediately demonstrates his great shooting skills. RESPONDING TO THE TEXT: You can respond to the text in a variety of ways. The most important thing to remember is that your observations should be specific and detailed. You can write as much as you want for each entry. You can use looseleaf paper for your journals or download the template from the class Wiki page. Basic Responses O Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text O Give your personal reactions to the passage O Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s) O Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences O Write about what it makes you think or feel O Agree or disagree with a character or the author Higher Level Responses (this is what you should be shooting for) O Analyze the text for use of literary devices (tone, structure, style, imagery) O Make connections between different characters or events in the text O Make connections to a different text (or film, song, etc…) O Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s) O Consider an event or description from the perspective of a different character O Analyze a passage and its relationship to the story as a whole

RUBRIC

Category 4 3 2 1 Left: Selection of Selected passages Selected passages Selected passages Selected passages detail are detailed, are somewhat include few have little or no complex, and meaningful; meaningful details apparent meaningful; include both plot significance or reflect a variety of and quote meaning plot and quote selections selections Right: Literary Includes in-depth Includes Includes some Includes few Elements discussion of discussion literary identification of literary elements; literary elements; elements; does literary elements; has virtually no addresses how not completely has virtually no discussion of elements such as address how they discussion of contribution to tone, diction, contribute to contribution to meaning organization and meaning meaning context contribute to purpose and meaning Right: Commentary Commentary Commentary is Commentary Interpretation and provides adequately vague and/or involves commentary thoughtful insight addresses unsupported with paraphrase or plot and connection to thematic little connection to summary themes (avoids connections theme clichés)

Right: Personal Insightful Adequate Limited personal Limited personal connections and personal personal connections and connection and no questions connections and connections and few or obvious good questions thought- pertinent questions provoking questions questions Overall Effect: Organized and Neat and easily Not easily legible Sloppy and Appearance professional legible organized Overall Effect: Thoroughly and Adequately Not thorough Too short; Coverage of text completely addresses all parts (addresses most of directions were and assignment addresses all parts of the assignment; the assignment); not followed of the assignment; directions are not all directions directions are followed were followed. followed