Dialectical Journal

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Dialectical Journal

• English 12

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What is dialectical journal?

• Simply put, dialectical means the art or
  practice of arriving at the truth by the exchange
  of logical arguments (dictionary.com). A
  dialectical journal, then, is used to arrive at
  the truth of a written work through written
  responses to quotations from that work. You will
  be using a novel as the anchor text for your
  writing.

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What is the purpose of the dialectical journal?

• The purpose of a dialectical journal is to
  identify significant pieces of text and
  explain/discuss their significance.

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How often do I complete an entry?

• Every three chapters. 3 entries in total.

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What are the components of the dialectical
journal?

• Quotations
• Response to the quotation
• Visual
• Response to the visual
• You will have a total of 3 quotation/responses
  and 3 visual and responses

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How to choose a quotation.

• Writing Component--Choosing Significant
  Quotations
• As a reader, you must be able to discern why some
  passages hold particular significance to the
  events, characters, and themes in the writing.
  When you are asked to explain the significance of
  a quotation, you are being asked to explain why
  the quotation is an important part of the
  literature you are reading. And often,
  important to the world in which we live.
  Usually, a quotation takes on a particular
  significance because it relates to one, or all,
  of the follow items Character, Theme, Literary
  Techniques. (The quotation is an example of
  excellent writing because)
• Choose quotations that both interest you and make
  you think.

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How is this set up in my composition? Quotation

• Each written response should be 350-500 words and
  include a word count at the end.

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What should be in my response?

• Each response should contain the following
  elements. Divide each entry into four or more
  paragraphs (350-500 words IN TOTAL)
• (1) Introduction - 1st paragraph Make sure you
  have these components. 1) a lead 2) Mention the
  author and title 3) Provide a brief (one to three
  sentences) explanation to provide context for
  your quotation. Be sure to mention the chapter
  number. 4) a thesis statement
• (2) Body - Point out what elements of fiction are
  the focal points of the passage and/or comment on
  the use of literary devices/techniques in the
  quotation. 1-3 paragraphs
• (3) Final paragraph--Provide a brief closing
  comment/conclusion.

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How is this set up in my composition? Visual

• Draw your visual on the left hand side of your
  composition.
• Your must first decide what you want to
  communicate in your visual.
• Think about Colours Cold (grays, blues, pale).
  Women are all one colour, Janine is another
  (green)
• Placement on Page Janine is separate from the
  group, off to one side.
• Relative Size Janine is smaller, the ladies are
  over-sized.
• How You Will Incorporate Text to Support Visuals
  Loneliness envelopes Janine, words from passage
  are woven in and/or used as thoughts and spoken
  words.

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How is this set up in my composition? Visual
Response

• This response should be on the right hand side of
  your composition.
• You must explain the significance of your
  illustration.
• What deeper meaning is it illustrating