Name _____________________________
Dialectical Journal Assignment
The Importance of Being Earnest
Directions: For each journal check, you should have at least four quotations (interpreted):
{4=85; 5=95; 6=100} that you would like to respond to using the choices below. Write the page
number and the quote on the left-hand side of the page. On the right-hand side of the page,
record your response to the quotes. Also, you will discuss what type of comedy is being used,
and why. Responses will be graded on their completeness and thoughtfulness.
Keep in mind:
 The quotations need to be written in full.
 Record the page number from which you retrieved your quotation.
 Write your explanations in complete sentences. One-sentence explanations are
highly discouraged and will most likely not receive full credit.
 Must be written neatly!!! If I can’t read it, you will not receive full credit.
Types of Entries for the Dialectical Journal
1. Basic questions about the text: Think of genuine questions you have which are needed
to clarify understanding of basic facts and story line. These may be due to lack of
historical knowledge about the text or general confusion about what is happening in the
story.
2. Key details: Note key details which reveal important information about the character,
the environment, the character’s relationship with other characters or with his/her
environment, or other clues which you find essential to understanding the text.
3. Reflection: Can you relate to the character or the character’s situation? Write down
some general observations about the relation of the text to your own personal experience
or understanding of how the world works.
4. Interpretation: What is the author trying to say by selecting particular words or using a
specific writing style? Take one sentence from the reading in which the meaning is
unclear. Focusing on that sentence or phrase, write about what you think the author is
trying to express. You may need to support your theory by using other parts of the text.
5. Evaluation: Is this a “good” text worth reading? Comment on the literary qualities of
the text, i.e., use of descriptive language and metaphors, the diction, the plot
development, predictability, the complexity or flatness of the characters and situations,
etc.
I WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS ASSIGNMENT LATE. BRING IT TO CLASS ON TIME.
Name _____________________________
Sample Dialectical Journal Assignment
The Importance of Being Earnest
Quotation/Passage
ALGERNON: “The very essence of
romance is uncertainty. If ever I get
married, I’ll certainly try to forget
the fact.”
Page
#
Act I, Part I
Type + Entry

Why doesn’t Algernon want to get married? What
about marriage seems uncertain to him, if anything
at all?
(Basic Questions)
9
By this statement, I can infer that Algernon is not
married, nor does he want to be. By saying “I’ll try
to forget the fact,” he is establishing a distasteful
view of marriage.
(Key Details)
Sometimes I can relate to his claims about marriage
because it seems that so many marriages fall apart
these days. Many people are unhappy, and they try to
escape responsibility in any way they can (i.e.,
getting a divorce, cheating on their spouses, etc.).
Many people act like they want to forget they’re
married!
(Reflection)
I was a little confused by Algernon saying that “The
very essence of romance is uncertainty.” I thought
married people were certain that they wanted to be
together forever. Perhaps what he is saying is that
before marriage couples usually have a “honeymoon
period” where the relationship is still new. Perhaps
Algernon wants all the perks about a relationship
without the responsibility of a marriage.
(Interpretation)
Algernon is describing love and marriage in a very
ironic way. Sarcastically, he plays on the word
“certain” to convey his definite feelings about the
very uncertain qualities of love.
(Evaluation)
What type of comedy is being portrayed, and why?
(satire, understatement, slapstick, hyperbole, pun, sarcasm, witty reparteé, double entendré, word play, dramatic
irony, situational irony, insults, parody, jokes w/ punch line, malapropisms, neologisms, mimicry, anecdote)
Algernon is using word play to create a sarcastic remark. He plays on the word “uncertain” in the first sentence to create
a positive image of love, but then reworks it as “certainly” in the second sentence to downgrade the institution of
marriage.
Name _____________________________
Dialectical Journal Assignment
The Importance of Being Earnest
Directions: In a double-entry “journal,” you will write a quotation and explain how that quote is
an example of the focused area of reflection.
Quotation/Passage #___
Page
#
Act ___________
Type + Entry
What type of comedy is being portrayed, and why?
(satire, understatement, slapstick, hyperbole, pun, sarcasm, witty reparteé, double entendré, word play, dramatic
irony, situational irony, insults, parody, jokes w/ punch line, malapropisms, neologisms, mimicry, anecdote)
Name _____________________________
Quotation/Passage #___
Page
#
Act ___________
Type + Entry
What type of comedy is being portrayed, and why?
(satire, understatement, slapstick, hyperbole, pun, sarcasm, witty reparteé, double entendré, word play, dramatic
irony, situational irony, insults, parody, jokes w/ punch line, malapropisms, neologisms, mimicry, anecdote)
Name _____________________________
Dialectical Journal Assignment
The Importance of Being Earnest
Directions: In a double-entry “journal,” you will write a quotation and explain how that quote is
an example of the focused area of reflection.
Quotation/Passage #___
Page
#
Act ___________
Type + Entry
What type of comedy is being portrayed, and why?
(satire, understatement, slapstick, hyperbole, pun, sarcasm, witty reparteé, double entendré, word play, dramatic
irony, situational irony, insults, parody, jokes w/ punch line, malapropisms, neologisms, mimicry, anecdote)
Name _____________________________
Quotation/Passage #___
Page
#
Act ___________
Type + Entry
What type of comedy is being portrayed, and why?
(satire, understatement, slapstick, hyperbole, pun, sarcasm, witty reparteé, double entendré, word play, dramatic
irony, situational irony, insults, parody, jokes w/ punch line, malapropisms, neologisms, mimicry, anecdote)
Name _____________________________
Dialectical Journal Assignment
The Importance of Being Earnest
Directions: In a double-entry “journal,” you will write a quotation and explain how that quote is
an example of the focused area of reflection.
Quotation/Passage #___
Page
#
Act ___________
Type + Entry
What type of comedy is being portrayed, and why?
(satire, understatement, slapstick, hyperbole, pun, sarcasm, witty reparteé, double entendré, word play, dramatic
irony, situational irony, insults, parody, jokes w/ punch line, malapropisms, neologisms, mimicry, anecdote)
Name _____________________________
Quotation/Passage #___
Page
#
Act ___________
Type + Entry
What type of comedy is being portrayed, and why?
(satire, understatement, slapstick, hyperbole, pun, sarcasm, witty reparteé, double entendré, word play, dramatic
irony, situational irony, insults, parody, jokes w/ punch line, malapropisms, neologisms, mimicry, anecdote)