Guidelines for the Dialectical Journal
(Used with all texts, including the summer readings)
Dialectical: applying principles of logical examination to analysis, exposition, and criticism.
In an effort to become more reflective readers, those who experience an interaction between
themselves and what they read, we will be using a dialectical journal for note-taking. This type of
journal allows you to record your thoughts as you read. Not only will you have a record that you have
read the assigned work, but by writing, you can increase your comprehension of the work. The
columns of your journal should be set up on your own paper like the model below.
Notes, summary, quotations, observations,
Questions, notes, figurative language, etc.
page, lines
Act, scene
Observation, reactions, responses
connections, speculations, etc
Journal Guidelines
 Divide your pages into three columns as shown in the model.
 Be sure to enclose quotations in quotation marks and indicate the page number in the center
column. If taking notes on poetry indicate line number; if a play, indicate act, scene and line.
 Do not summarize the plot of the novel; instead, record details, notes, and or quotations that
you find important, significant, striking or confusing in some way. Look for significant
changes in character, thematic ideas, motifs, reoccurring elements.
 In your observation column, record comments to explain a quotation, assertions about
character, comments on interesting diction, imagery, setting, theme, point of view,
characterization, any other literary devices you notice, and questions about material not
understood. This area is a good vehicle to moving toward understanding of a text and how it
makes meaning.
 Write in your journal legibly so that it can be easily read; however, you do not have to recopy your
journal to make it “pretty” or “neat.” A journal need not be perfect in grammar or spelling, but you
should be sure to spell proper names correctly.
 Note: A dialectical journal is not just a personal response journal. It is a method of taking notes
while you are analyzing literature at the same time.
Some sage advice from a note-taker/grader
 Do not procrastinate – do your notes early and while you are reading.
 Decide when you want to write in your journal. Some readers like to record their thoughts as they
read in a written conversation with the text; others prefer to read, highlight passages (only if the
text is your own) and then record responses when they have finished reading for the day.
Regardless of the method you choose, do not wait until you are finished reading the entire novel
before beginning your journal. Write while you are still in the process of reading.
 Look for connections to other literature or to current events. Literature often sparks memories of
other works, other media such as television, movies, radio, newspapers, and magazines. Look for
similar themes, personalities, or the like and note them in your journal.
 Reread your journal as you continue to read the text. Revise your ideas as you change your
thinking and understanding. Revise your predictions as you write.
Sample Dialectical Notes
Notes
Page #
“The Rocking Horse Winner” D.H. Lawrence
Direct characterization of mother –
Lucky because attractive and in wealthy family,
married for love, bonny children – but unlucky
Observations/Insights
Any significance to the title so far?
302
Verbal irony – expect her to very lucky because of her
good fortune. Expect her to love her children, but she
doesn’t
302
More characterization, direct
“There was never enough money.”
302
Setting, mood – family seems to have great self-worth;
concern with material possessions and wealth
Father – small income; mother – small income, but
not enough for the social position they lived –
hoped for good prospects
302
They lived well but felt as though they never had
enough money. Recurring statement.
House haunted by “unspoken phrase: There must
be more money”
302
“all the more gentle and anxious for her children, as
if she loved them very much. Only she herself
knew that at the center of her heart was a hard little
place that could not feel love, no, not for anybody.”
Setting and situation– pleasant house, discreet
servants, felt themselves superior to anyone in the
neighborhood.
Concern with money recurring – size of salaries doesn’t
match size of spending.
303
“It came whispering from the springs of the stillswaying rocking horse, and even the horse, bending
his wooden, champing head, heard it.”
No one mentioned that there wasn’t enough money, but
it haunted the house – in a whisper – even the children
heard it and paused to recognize it.
Foreshadowing importance of rh in regards to money
and luck?
303
‘it’s because your father has no luck.’
‘Is luck money, mother?’
“Filthy lucre” confusion
303
Mother equates love with money – her relationship with
her husband is in the dust. She had good luck before
she married him, doesn’t really love him now – will son
seek a way to get luck so that he can have her love?
Sounds like a Freudian concept – Oedipal complex
maybe.
Filthy lucre – allusion, look up – New Testam.