Summer Reading – Dialectical Journal

Required of all students the first week of school. Dialectical Journal (Quotes & Notes): A dialectical journal is a written conversation with yourself about a piece of literature that encourages the habit of reflective questioning and deeper understanding as you read a text.

In the TEXT column, cite passages verbatim from the novel, including quotation marks and page numbers.

When should you write passages down?

o Details that seem important to you

o You have an epiphany

o You learn something significant about a character

o You recognize a pattern (overlapping images, repetitions of idea, details, etc.)

o You agree or disagree with something a character says or does

o You find an interesting or potentially significant quotation

o You notice something important or relevant about the writer’s style

o You notice effective use of literary devices (like foreshadowing, imagery, allusion, metaphor, pun, etc.)

In the RESPONSE column reflect upon the passages.

What should you write under the RESPONSE column?

o Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text

o Give your personal reactions to the passage, the characters, the situation

o Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character

o Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences

o Compare the text to other characters or novels

o Write about what it makes you think or feel

o Argue with or speak to the characters or author

o Make connections to any themes that are revealed to you

o Make connections among passages or sections of the work

o Make predictions about characters’ futures

o DO NOT MERELY SUMMARIZE THE PLOT

Sample Dialectical Journal

QUOTES (from text) Pg #

RESPONSE (from

you)

Requirements: For each novel!!

Create a chart like the one shown.

You must include a total of 10-15 entries that cover

the entire book

Each QUOTE should be 1 or more sentences.

QUOTES should contain 0 spelling errors.

All RESPONSE entries have two or more complete

sentences and demonstrate full developed ideas that

reflect that you are actually reading the text.

Each RESPONSE should be at least 60 words.

Due - First week of school

Adapted from: websterschools.org and lynchclay.k12.oh.us