Dialectical Journal Dialectical Journal

What is dialectical journal?What is dialectical journal?

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

What is the purpose of the What is the purpose of the dialectical journal?dialectical journal?

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

How often do I complete an How often do I complete an entry?entry?

• You will be complete an entry about You will be complete an entry about every 40 – 50 pages every 40 – 50 pages

What are the components of What are the components of the dialectical journal? the dialectical journal?

• Quotations Quotations

• Response to the quotation Response to the quotation

• Visual Visual

• Response to the visual Response to the visual

• You will have a total of 10 You will have a total of 10 quotation/responses and 10 visual quotation/responses and 10 visual and responses and responses

How to choose a quotation. How to choose a quotation.

• Writing Component--Choosing Significant QuotationsWriting Component--Choosing Significant Quotations• As a reader, you must be able to discern why some As a reader, you must be able to discern why some

passages hold particular significance to the events, passages hold particular significance to the events, characters, and themes in the writing. When you are asked characters, and themes in the writing. When you are asked to explain the significance of a quotation, you are being to explain the significance of a quotation, you are being asked to explain why the quotation is an important part of asked to explain why the quotation is an important part of the literature you are reading. [And often, important to the the literature you are reading. [And often, important to the world in which we live.] world in which we live.] UsuallyUsually, a quotation takes on a , a quotation takes on a particular significance because it relates to one, or all, of particular significance because it relates to one, or all, of the follow items: the follow items: Character, Theme, Literary Character, Theme, Literary TechniquesTechniques. (The quotation is an example of excellent . (The quotation is an example of excellent writing because…)writing because…)

• Choose quotations that Choose quotations that both interest you and make you both interest you and make you think.think.

How is this set up in my How is this set up in my composition? Quotation composition? Quotation

• On the left hand side of your page put On the left hand side of your page put your quotation. Each passage is usually your quotation. Each passage is usually at least fifty words in length. Include an at least fifty words in length. Include an MLA parenthetical citationMLA parenthetical citation. Include all . Include all significant parts of the quotation. Do significant parts of the quotation. Do not cut a passage off or begin in the not cut a passage off or begin in the middle of an important thought. You middle of an important thought. You must copy each quotation using M.L.A. must copy each quotation using M.L.A. format. format.

How is this set up in my How is this set up in my composition? Quotationcomposition? Quotation

• On the right hand side you write your On the right hand side you write your response to the quotation. response to the quotation.

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

What should be in my What should be in my response?response?• Each response should contain the following Each response should contain the following

elements. Divide each entry into elements. Divide each entry into four or morefour or more paragraphs (350-500 words IN TOTAL)*paragraphs (350-500 words IN TOTAL)*: :

• (1) 1st paragraph--Provide a brief (one to three sentences) (1) 1st paragraph--Provide a brief (one to three sentences) explanation to provide context for your quotation. Be sure explanation to provide context for your quotation. Be sure to mention the chapter number.to mention the chapter number.

• (2) Provide your personal thoughts/perspectives on the (2) Provide your personal thoughts/perspectives on the quotation (your insights) 1-2 paragraphsquotation (your insights) 1-2 paragraphs

• (3) Point out what elements of fiction are the focal points of (3) Point out what elements of fiction are the focal points of the passage and/or comment on the use of literary the passage and/or comment on the use of literary devices/techniques in the quotation. 1-2 paragraphsdevices/techniques in the quotation. 1-2 paragraphs

• (4) Final paragraph--Provide a brief closing (4) Final paragraph--Provide a brief closing comment/conclusion.comment/conclusion.

How is this set up in my How is this set up in my composition? Visual composition? Visual • Draw your visual on the left hand side of your composition. Draw your visual on the left hand side of your composition. • Your must first decide what you want to communicate in Your must first decide what you want to communicate in

your visual. your visual. • Think about: Think about: ColoursColours: : Cold (grays, blues, pale). Women are Cold (grays, blues, pale). Women are

all one colour, Janine is another (green)all one colour, Janine is another (green)

Placement on PagePlacement on Page: : Janine is separate from the group, off Janine is separate from the group, off to one side.to one side.

Relative SizeRelative Size: : Janine is smaller, the ladies are over-sized.Janine is smaller, the ladies are over-sized.

How You Will Incorporate Text to Support VisualsHow You Will Incorporate Text to Support Visuals: : Loneliness envelopes Janine, words from passage are woven in Loneliness envelopes Janine, words from passage are woven in and/or used as thoughts and spoken words.and/or used as thoughts and spoken words.

How is this set up in my How is this set up in my composition? Visual Response composition? Visual Response

• This response should be on the right This response should be on the right hand side of your composition. hand side of your composition.

• You must explain the significance of You must explain the significance of your illustration. your illustration.

• What deeper meaning is it illustratingWhat deeper meaning is it illustrating