The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Dialectical Journal assignment

Guidelines for the Dialectical Journal

Dialectic means “the art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.” The “dialectic” was the method Socrates used to teach his students how to be actively engaged in the struggle to obtain meaning from an unfamiliar and challenging work. A dialectical journal is a written conversation with yourself about a piece of literature that encourages the habit of reflective questioning. You will use a double-entry form to examine details of a passage and synthesize your understanding of the text. There is to be NO collaboration with other studentsand/or websites. Any assistance from the Internet, movies, or secondary sources such as Spark Notes, Cliff’s Notes or Shmoopwill be viewed as cheating.

Instructions:

Use the double-entry journal sheets provided to you or the form on my website to complete the assignment.

  1. In the TEXT column, cite passages verbatim from the novel/novella; include quotation marks and proper MLA citation including the author’s last name and page number(s).
  • Choose at minimum one passage from each chapter.
  • When should you write passages down?
  • Details that seem important to you
  • You have an epiphany.
  • You learn something significant about a character.
  • You recognize a pattern (overlapping images, repetitions of idea, details, etc.).
  • You agree or disagree with something a character says or does.
  • You find an interesting or potentially significant quotation.
  • You notice something important or relevant about the writer’s style.
  • You notice effective use of literary devices.
  1. In the RESPONSE column, reflect upon the passages.
  2. Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text
  3. Give your personal reactions to the passage, the characters, the situation
  4. Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character
  5. Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences
  6. Compare the text to other characters or novels
  7. Write about what it makes you think or feel
  8. Argue with or speak to the characters or author
  9. Make connections to any themes that are revealed to you
  10. Make predictions about characters’ futures
  11. DO NOT MERELY SUMMARIZE THE PLOT
  1. Each RESPONSE must be at least 60 words (include word count at the end of each response).
  1. Write down your thoughts, questions, insights, and ideas while you read or immediately after reading a chapter so the information is fresh.
  1. As you take notes, you should regularly reread the previous pages of notes and comments.
  1. First person is acceptable in the RESPONSE column.
  1. Remember that quotations do not have to be dialogue.

Sample Journal: Night by Elie Wiesel

TEXT / RESPONSE
“The snow was like a carpet, very gentle, very warm” (Wiesel 83). / I can picture the men standing in the concentration camp, watching the snow blanket the ground. It is silent there. The snow-covered ground is smooth and soft. Wiesel describes the snow as being “gentle” and “warm”. This comparison is not what one would expect. Standing barefoot in the snow would be very painful. The cold would cut deep into one’s feet. So why does he say it is warm? Maybe his feet are frozen, numb to the pain. Perhaps the snow provides insulation from night’s bitter cold. This comparison creates a sense of peace, a moment without terror and fear. It is as if he is home again, safe and warm. (111 words)

RUBRIC

Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______

1) Text entries ………………………..………………………………………………….……....……………...…. ______/40

  • Minimum of one quote per chapter for a total of 20 quotes (2 points each)

2) Response entries ………………………………………………………………………………...…………….…. ______/40

  • Grammatically correct response of at least 60 words for each quote that shows interaction with and understandingof the text (2 points each)

3) MLA Citation …………………………………………………....….………… _____ /20

  • Properly formatted MLA citation for each quote (1 point each)

Grade: _____ /100

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