Dialectic Journal for Literature

• A dialectic journal is a double-entry reader’s response journal that records a dialogue between the ideas in the text and the ideas of the reader. It will be the basis for an essay in which you analyze the text and compile a collection of direct quotations to use as evidence to support your analysis.• Your journal will include examples of literary elements and an explanation

of how those examples show these elements.• The length of your examples will vary, but both the quotes and your

responses should be long enough that anyone reading them will understand what you mean. Also, since you will be using them in your paper, you want them to be long enough so you remember why you included them!

Ask yourself…

• Why did this quote stand out to me?• What does this mean?• How does it show a particular literary element?• How can I make a personal connection?• How does it improve the story?

Requirements for your first novel• You must include a minimum of 12 entries, with at least one from

each chapter of your book. If your book has more than 12 chapters, be sure you include 12 different chapters.• You must include examples for each of the following elements:• Personal connection (2)• Characterization (2)• Figurative language (2)• Theme (2)• Perspective and/or point of view (1 each)• Connotation/Denotation (1)• Foreshadowing (1)