DIALECTICAL JOURNAL

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DIALECTICAL JOURNAL

• INTERACT WITH YOUR NOVEL

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WHEN YOU ARE READING A BOOK, YOU ARE NEVER ALONE?

• You are interacting with
• characters,
• the author
• and, of course, yourself!

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A dialectical journal

• is just a way to record
• your interactions with
• the text!
• Sometimes you will
• Predict
• Analyze
• Connect
• Evaluate
• Interpret
• Question
• Reflect

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 How do you record your interactions with the
text?
How do I record the information?

• A dialectical journal is formatted as a double
  column journal entry.
• On the left hand side, you will refer to a part
  of the passage or a quote. (say the page too)
  Note taking
• On the right hand side, you will record your
  observations, questions and/or reflections. Note
  making

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FORMAT
TEXT REFERENCE YOUR RESPONSE TO THE TEXT
This would be a paraphrase or a quote from the text be sure to note the page number. This will be your interaction with the text whether it be in response to the author, characters, or yourself. Make sure you address the prompt for the day.
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Sample Prompt Describe the tone in your reading.
TEXT REFERENCE YOUR RESPONSE TO THE TEXT
When the Big Bad Wolf tries to get to the third pig through the chimney since he couldnt blow down the brick house. The author really made me anxious because I could feel the desperation of the wolf. The authors word choice built a sense of urgency and panic (ex you cant escape, I smell bacon, crazed eyes). I was literally frightened for the poor third pig whose brothers had already become ham dinners!
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Sample Prompt How does the author develop your
character in your reading?
TEXT REFERENCE YOUR RESPONSE TO THE TEXT
Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin I wont let you in. I knew that the third pig was smarter than his stupid brothers since he built his house out of bricks, but when piggy three started talking smack to the big and bad wolf, I knew how brave he really was. That was just the start. When he had that pot of boiling water waiting at the bottom of the chimney, I almost cheered for him!
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Sample Prompt How does the author develop your
character in your reading?
TEXT REFERENCE YOUR RESPONSE TO THE TEXT
Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin I wont let you in. I knew that the third pig was smarter than his stupid brothers since he built his house out of bricks, but when piggy three started talking smack to the big and bad wolf, I knew how brave he really was. That was just the start. When he had that pot of boiling water waiting at the bottom of the chimney, I almost cheered for him!
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YOUR TURN!

• INTERACT WITH YOUR NOVEL

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Choose a part you read today. Why do you think
the author included that specific part.or
Choose a part you read today. What is one
inference you can make or conclusion you can draw?

• Entry 1 Respond to ONE of the prompts above in
  your dialectical journal.

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Choose a part you read today that made you feel a
certain way. What did the author do to
accomplish that?or
Choose a part you read today that reminded you of
something else. Explain the connection you made.

• Entry 2 Respond to ONE of the prompts above in
  your dialectical journal.

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Choose a part of your reading that was a little
confusing to you. Explain your confusion and
what questions you have.or
What did the author want you to remember most
about what you read today?

• Entry 3 Respond to ONE of the prompts above in
  your dialectical journal.

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Describe the internal and external conflicts in
your reading to this point.or
Choose a part you read today. How did the author
organize his writing and what was his purpose for
that?

• Entry 4 Respond to ONE of the prompts above in
  your dialectical journal.

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How did the author develop characters in your
reading today?or
Choose a part your read today and explain any
examples of figurative language the author used.

• Entry 5 Respond to ONE of the prompts above in
  your dialectical journal.

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Give some examples of cause/effect from your
reading today.or
Make a prediction from your reading today.
Explain how your prediction is reasonable.

• Entry 6 Respond to ONE of the prompts above in
  your dialectical journal.

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Think about your main character. How has your
character changed over time? Explain.or
Explain how you determined the meaning of a word
you were unsure of today.

• Entry 7 Respond to ONE of the prompts above in
  your dialectical journal.

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Choose a part of todays reading. What would be
a good summary of that part?or
Describe how the author uses symbolism in your
novel.

• Entry 8 Respond to ONE of the prompts above in
  your dialectical journal.

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Choose a part you read today that made you feel a
certain way. What did the author do to
accomplish that?or
Choose a part you read today that reminded you of
something else. Explain the connection you made.

• Entry 9 Respond to ONE of the prompts above in
  your dialectical journal.

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Describe the tone/mood in todays reading.or
Have any minor conflicts been resolved? Describe
one of those conflicts and its resolution.

• Entry 10 Respond to ONE of the prompts above in
  your dialectical journal.

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Choose a part you read today that made you feel a
certain way. What did the author do to
accomplish that?or
Choose a part you read today that reminded you of
something else. Explain the connection you made.

• Optional Entry Respond to ONE of the prompts
  above in your dialectical journal.