Ender’s Game – Dialectical Journal
As you read through Ender’s Game, you will be keeping a dialectical journal of
significant quotes, accompanied by your commentary. This tool may be used to aid you
in class discussions, quiz preparation, and organizing your written responses for the
final.
The quotes you select should be significant in some way, meaning they should relate to
some of the bigger “issues” in the novel. Or, the quotes you select may be about a
reoccurring symbol or motif. You may focus on themes, symbols, or motifs that we
haven’t addressed in class if you feel that they are significant and aid in your
understanding of the novel.
The quotes you select should be spread from throughout the novel, not all from the
same chapter or section of the text. Your final journal can be typed or handwritten, as
long as it is legible, cleanly organized, and easy to follow.
The assignment is worth a point value equal to half of the total reading quizzes (55
points) – 2/3 of your reading category points for Ender come from quizzes, 1/3 from this
journal.
Due:
April 26th B Day
April 27th A Day
Format your journal as follows:
Quote with page number
1. Speaker: “quote” (#).
Commentary
Commentary – your analysis of the quote, and
explanation of the significance.
2. Speaker: “quote” (#).
Commentary – your analysis of the quote, and
explanation of the significance.
3. Speaker: “quote” (#).
Commentary – your analysis of the quote, and
explanation of the significance.
Assessment:
Your dialectical journal will be assessed on 3 main categories:
• Evidence of Reading:
o Demonstrates reading comprehension
o Contains accurate details
o Makes connections between significant scenes, lines, plot details, etc.
• Textual Analysis:
o “Show”, don’t “tell”
o demonstrate how the words/phrases/ideas within selected quotes express
significance
o Textual evidence (quote) is limited to just the words necessary for analysis
• Depth:
o Journal contains a sufficient selection of textual evidence (approx. 1 quote
per 10 pages)
o Quotes come from a broad selection of characters, scenes, themes, etc.
o Written response thoroughly demonstrates the significance of the quote
You grade will be determined by the following rubric:
Evidence
of reading
Textual
analysis
Depth
Exemplary
Proficient
Does not meet standard
Demonstrates strong
reading comprehension
Details are accurate; no
erroneous information
Identifies obvious and
subtle connections
between significant
scenes/lines/plot points,
etc.
Analysis clearly “shows”
rather then “tells”
Explores how the
words/ideas contained
within selected quotes
express significance
Textual evidence is
focused to exactly the
words necessary for
analysis
Broad selection of textual
evidence
Covers a wide variety of
characters, scenes,
themes/motifs, symbols,
etc.
Response demonstrates
thorough analysis,
perception, and original
thought
Demonstrates reading
comprehension
Significant details are
accurate
Identifies obvious
connections between
significant
scenes/lines/plot points,
etc.
Analysis attempts to
“show”, not “tell”
Able to express
significance of selected
quotes
Textual evidence matches
the ideas contained in
analysis
Fails to demonstrate
reading comprehension
Contains erroneous
information OR lack of
sufficient details
Fails to make
connections between
significant moments
Adequate selection of
textual evidence
Covers multiple of
characters, scenes,
themes/motifs, symbols,
etc.
Response adequately
analyzes the significance
of the quote
Insufficient selection of
textual evidence
Fails to cover a variety of
characters, scenes,
themes/motifs, symbols,
etc.
Response lacks analysis
(ie: summary, questions,
predictions, etc.) and/or
original thought
Analysis does not
“show” (ie: does not rely
on textual evidence)
Fails to adequately
express significance of
selected quotes
Ideas in analysis not
directly connected to
textual evidence