A dialectical journal represents a method of having a conversation with a work of literature. It is a type of double-entry note-taking where students write notes that dialogue with one another, thereby developing critical reading and reflective questioning.
Your journal should be set up on your own paper like the model below.
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Notes, Summary,
Quotations, Observations, Questions, Notes, Diction, etc. |
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Observation,
Reactions, Responses, Connections,
Speculations, etc. |
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Journal
Entries
Journal entries may take several forms or focus on various aspects of your reading. Observations may be questions about material not understood; comments to explain a statement; facts to remember for later; comments on interesting diction, imagery, characters, or literary devices; definitions to vocabulary; questions regarding what may be a flaw in the writer’s logic; an assertion about a character, or other interesting aspects of the novel and the writer’s craft. In addition to the above, the following guidelines may prove helpful.
Journal
Guidelines
· Take the time to write down anything in relation to the text. If you’re intrigued by certain statements or if you’re attracted to characters or issues or problems, write your response. Try to take at least five minutes to write when you’ve finished an assignment or when you’ve put your book down for a break. You may want to write something that strikes you then.
· Make connections with your own experience. What does the reading make you think of? Does it remind you of anything or anyone?
· Make connections with other texts or concepts or events. Do you see any similarities between this text (concept, events) and other texts (concepts, events)? Does it bring to mind other related issues?
· Ask yourself questions about the text. What perplexes you about a particular passage? Try beginning, “I wonder why…” or “I’m having trouble understanding how…” or “It perplexes me that…” or “I was surprised when…”
· Try agreeing with the writer. Write down the supporting ideas. Try arguing with the writer. On what points, or about what issues, do you disagree? Think of your journal as a place to carry on a dialogue with the writer or with the text in which you actually speak with him or her. Ask questions; have the writer respond. What happens when you imagine yourself in his/her shoes?
· Write down striking words, images, phrases, or details. Speculate about them. Why did the author choose them? What do they add to the story? Why did you notice them? Copy words from the text into your journal and respond to them. On the first reading you might put checks in the margin of your novel where the passages intrigue you; on the second reading, choose the most interesting ideas, then write about them.
· Describe the author’s point of view. How does the author’s attitude shape the way the writer presents the material?
Note: These guidelines do not include every possible type of response for a dialectical journal, but they, along with those described under “Journal Entries” above, provide ample suggestions.
Model
The following page models a sample journal. Entries are based on responses to the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell.
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Notes, etc. |
Page |
Observations |
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Rainsford hears gunshot very “heavy” darkness Rainsford cannot see, climbs on rail, knocks pipe from hand, over reaches, falls in “blood warm” Caribbean. Rainsford: “straight flight was futile” “I have played the fox; now I must play the cat of the fable.” |
15 par. 1 15 par. 1 15 par. 2 25 25 |
Right? Direction of Ship-Trap Island? Whitney mentioned in the 1st sentence. How far—sound carrying on water? impenetrable Does anyone hear “short hoarse” cry? Seems confident, balanced. Where were they going? “Blood-warm” scarier than just “warm.” Smart—he realized he could not just run…he would be caught or trapped. Thinking like a hunter, he must trick Zaroff. Clever—He has been clever like the fox by leading Zaroff in circles; now he needs sleep. Therefore, he mimics the actions of a cat and climbs in the tree to think. He pulls on his knowledge of animals and stories to try to survive. |