Name ____________________________________
Author Study I
Date _______________
DIALECTICAL JOURNALS
The term “Dialectic” means “the art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving
question and answer.” Think of your dialectical journal as a series of conversations with the texts we
read during this course. The process is meant to help you develop a better understanding of the texts
we read. Use your journal to incorporate your personal responses to the texts, your ideas about the
themes we cover and our class discussions. You will find that it is a useful way to process what you’re
reading, prepare yourself for group discussion, and gather textual evidence.
PROCEDURE:
o As you read, choose passages that stand out to you and record them in the left-hand column
of a T-chart (ALWAYS include page numbers). You must include the element you are
analyzing.
o In the right column, write your response to the text (respond, analyze, evaluate)
o Complete journal entries for at least two passages.
CHOOSING PASSAGES FROM THE TEXT:
Look for quotes that seem significant, powerful, thought provoking or puzzling. For example, you
might record:
o
o
o
o
o
Effective &/or creative use of stylistic or literary devices: internal or external conflict, theme,
simile, metaphor, personification, repetition, etc.)
Structural shifts or turns in the plot
Examples of patterns: recurring images, ideas, colors, symbols or motifs.
Events you find surprising or confusing
Passages that illustrate a particular character or setting
RESPONDING TO THE TEXT:
You can respond to the text in a variety of ways, but you MUST respond, analyze, and evaluate each
passage. The most important thing to remember is that your observations should be specific and
detailed. Each entry should be at least 120 words, not to exceed 150 words. Use the template to
complete the journal entries. These MUST be typed.
Respond to the text
 Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text
 Give your personal reactions to the passage
 Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s)
 Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences (text-to-self \ text-to-world)
 Write about what it makes you think or feel
 Agree or disagree with a character or the author
Analyze the text
 Analyze- to determine the nature of the whole by examining the individual components
 Discuss the effect of the literary element(s) and HOW it is developing the story
Evaluate the text
 Evaluate- to judge against specific standards
 Discuss the significance of the passage \ literary element
Name ____________________________________
Author Study I
Date _______________
Sample Dialectical Journal: Night
Source Material
(Provide a direct
quotation and a
parenthetical citation)
(What are you
analyzing?)
Pg#s
83
Simile
“The snow was a like a
carpet, very gentle,
very warm” (83).
(What are you
analyzing?)
Personification \ Internal
Conflict
“Death wrapped itself
around me till I was
stifiled. It stuck to me. I
felt that I could touch it.
The idea of dying, of no
longer being, began to
fascinate me. Not to exist
any longer” (82).
82
Respond, Analyze, and Evaluate
(Why do you find this passage interesting or
important?)
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 anyone’s feet. So why
does he say it is warm? Maybe his feet are frozen,
numb to the pain, just like his soul is becoming numb
and indifferent to the suffering going on around him.
Or perhaps the snow provides insulation form the
night’s bitter cold. This comparison creates a sense of
peace, a moment without error and fear. It is as if he
is home again, safe and warm. (125 words)
This is a sad moment for Elie. He has fought to
survive, but cannot fight any longer. I can’t imagine
being fourteen and wanting to die. I can’t imagine
being fourteen and losing my family, my dignity, my
soul. What a tragedy. In this passage, Wiesel
personifies death to show the control it has over those
who are suffering in the camps. In this case, Death
silences Elie, overpowering his will and subduing his
hope of survival. Elie is conflicted. He wants to survive.
He wants to take care of his father. But he doesn’t
know how much more he can take. This is important
because we see that Elie has reached a breaking point.
Death has come for him so many times but has failed.
This time, however, Eleie is too tired to run, too tore
dot fight. Death is offering a gist- an escape from this
hellish existence. (153 words)
Name ____________________________________
Author Study I
Source Material
(Provide a direct
quotation and a
parenthetical citation)
(What are you
analyzing?)
(What are you
analyzing?)
Pg #s
Date _______________
Respond, Analyze, and Evaluate
(Why do you find this passage interesting or important?)