Frank-English IIPAP
Night By Elie Wiesel
Dialectical Journal Writing Project
(no exceptions/no excuses)
Directions:
You will keep a dialectical journal throughout the reading of Night. There will be a minimum 5 entries per DIDLS (so 25 in all).
Dialectic:
The art or practice of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments. The dialectical journal is a tool which helps
provide you with the means to expand your analysis of literature. You will practice creating your own interpretation and
understanding of what you read.
Journal:
Follow the directions below:
 Choose one color Post-it Note for each of the DIDLS.

As you read, use the notes to mark the quotes that display the DIDLS found.

On the note, label the DIDLS USED in the top left corner (Diction, Imagery, Details, Language or Syntax). Then,
describe the significance of the use.

Lastly, you will add commentary (your response) to the sticky note. You MUST HAVE at least 2 complete sentence
responses of your own interpretation for the quote you choose. Your commentary will explain the significance of the
quote to the story. For example, after you choose quotes that have a specific purpose, then ask yourself, “Why is this
quote important to this scene or to the final outcome of the story? How does this quote reveal the protagonist’s character?
How might this event foreshadow a future event? What is the effect he/she creates or the greater purpose?”
NOTE: Your commentary does not simply explain what the quote means. You’re not putting it into everyday
language, you are talking about the significance it has to the story. If you want, you can translate it, but you
still need 2 sentences of commentary beyond that. Remember, your audience is me…I know what the
quotes mean; I want you to tell me more…why is the quote you chose important to the story… “wow” me, your
audience, with your incredible insight!
Essay:
You will use the journal to complete the essay. The final project must be typed in MLA format, proofed for spelling and
grammatical errors, and follow the essay guidelines. Guidelines for the essay will come shortly.
NOTE: DO NOT include a plot summary; you will be graded on your ability to provide logical interpretations, NOT on
your ability to summarize.
“‘He might have hurt me a little,’ Atticus conceded, ‘but son, you’ll understand folks a little better when you’re older. A
mob’s always made up of people, no matter what. Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a
man...So, it took an eight-year-old child to bring ‘em to their sense didn’t it?’” (159- 160).
Quote in book
NOTE: This entry DOES
NOT just summarize or
restates what is happening.
It analyzes and explains an
element of language and
how it relates to an
element of literature.
Language: Even though Atticus is literal when
talking to Jem, it is the first time the reader sees
some emotion in Atticus.
The tone here is matter-of-fact.
Atticus admits that Mr. Cunningham
could have harmed him, but he
explains that Mr. Cunningham’s
actions were not entirely his own; he
was influenced by the crowd as is
common for many people. It takes
Scout recognizing him and talking to
him to make Mr. Cunningham realize
that what he is doing is wrong.
Identify the
DIDLS and
explain
significance
Commentary
Frank-English IIPAP
Night Essay
Directions: Use your dialectical journal from Night for examples to use in your essay. Follow the guidelines below to
write your essay.
Introduction: 5-7 sentences in length

1st sentence should contain the author’s name, title of the novel and a thematic statement (not a single
word)
 2nd – 4th sentence(s) should be a brief overall summary of the memoir
 Last sentence should introduce the 3 DIDLS you plan to discuss and another tie into your theme. NOTE: the
DIDLS you choose should be placed in the order you plan to discuss in your essay
DIDLS #1 Paragraph(s)
 Topic sentence stating first DIDLS you plan to discuss and a word that ties into your theme.
 Concrete Detail (CD) #1 this is evidence from the text…embedded quotes
 Commentary you must have a minimum of 2 sentences explaining the significance of CD #1
 Concrete Detail (CD) #2 this is evidence from the text…embedded quotes
 Commentary you must have a minimum of 2 sentences explaining the significance of CD #2
 Concrete Detail (CD) #3 this is evidence from the text…embedded quotes
 Commentary you must have a minimum of 2 sentences explaining the significance of CD #3
 Closing Sentence must end the paragraph and should lead you into DIDLS #2
DIDLS #2 & #3 Paragraphs
 Follow the same format for #1
Conclusion



1st sentence should contain the author’s last name and a restatement of your thesis (basically reword your
first and last sentence in your intro)
2nd – 3rd sentence(s) should state the author’s purpose for writing the novel (what did he want the reader to
know?)
Last sentence should be a call to action (what does he hope the reader will do after reading his work?)
DIDLS
Diction – the author's choice of words and phrases (what do they mean; Why were they used?)
Imagery – the mental pictures the author creates; appeals to all five senses (show rather than tell)
Details – elements the author chooses to be specific about, and, in some cases, the elements the author chooses not to be
specific about
Language – the register of language as well as the use of figurative language an author uses to communicate the
emotional distance between the author and the subject (this can also include the use of symbols, similes,
metaphors, allusions, etc.)
5 Registers of Language
1) Frozen – pledge, constitution…the words do not change
2) Formal - lecture, business….no casual language
3) Consultative – conversation between 2 or more parties…no slang
4) Casual – conversation between two or more people …uses contractions and slang
5) Intimate – code words shared between small groups i.e. close friends or family
Syntax – the grammatical structure of individual sentences, and the construction of the piece as a whole (punctuation,
anaphor, epistrophe, parallelism, repetition, etc.). Syntax may also include persuasive appeals and/or
syllogism (ethos, pathos, logos).