L. Garrett
7th Grade Advanced English - Summer Reading-Writing Assignment 2014-15
Tupelo Middle School
Welcome to your summer reading experience. You will be reading An American Plague
by Jim Murphy or The Great Fire by Jim Murphy or She Touched the World: Laura Bridgman,
Deaf-Blind Pioneer by Sally Hobart Alexander. Use a composition book (no spiral) or type it
and turn in a printed copy on the second day of school. This assignment will count as two major
grades. Each dialectical journal entry will be graded on the following criteria: quality and
completeness of assignment; depth and thoughtfulness of reflective writing; organization and
neatness. As you read, highlight, underline, or mark important passages in your book. BRING
THIS BOOK TO CLASS.
Your assignment is to keep a dialectical journal for the required text. Take notes in the
format of a dialectical journal in a composition book (no spiral) as you read. Be prepared to
hand these notes in the second day of school.
What is a dialectical journal? One of the definitions of dialectic is “the art of
investigating or discussing the truth of opinions.” The objective of keeping a dialectical journal
is for you to comment on passages that you deem significant.
Dialectical Journal Procedures: (may be typed or handwritten in blue or black ink)

Divide your page in half by drawing a line down the center of each page using a
ruler.

Use the left side of each page for “note taking” and the right side of each page for
“note making.” Note taking includes quotations, interesting literary devices,
evidence of themes, character descriptions, recognition of a pattern or recurring
motif, and other literary-based observations. Include page numbers for each
passage (see example). The right side should be YOUR THOUGHTS about the
specific items identified as being important to your interpretation of the text.

The right hand column should include the following: In 2 or more sentences
write a brief explanation of what is going on in the passage on the left (who is
talking? To whom? About what? What details are important for this passage?) In
3 or more sentences write YOUR OWN opinion, thoughts, commentary, and
questions about the passage. In 4 or more sentences write an analysis of the
passage: Why is this passage important? What does the passage reveal about a
character, or an event, or a possible theme or idea that Murphy is trying to
convey. Is it possible to make a prediction based off of your chosen passage?
(See example) It is crucial to process the information reflectively. The space on
the right side should show your thinking process and an awareness of your
personal approach to literary analysis.

Include AT LEAST ONE journal entry per chapter.

THE BOOK CAN BE PURCHASED AT BARNES AND NOBLE
(HARDCOVER ONLY) OR ONLINE VIA AMAZON OR ALIBRIS
(HARDCOVER AND PAPERBACK).
2014 SUGGESTED READING LIST FOR GENERAL ENGLISH STUDENTS ONLY

Students who registered for General English may read one of the books
below. A dialectical journal assignment (see Advanced English assignment
handout) for the book may be completed for extra credit.
7th Grade General English:
Survival in the Storm: The Dust Bowl Diary of Grace Edwards, Dalhart, Texas, 1935 by
Katelan Janke OR, Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong, OR We
Beat the Street by Sampson Davis.