English 12—Mr.Milligan
“Dialectical” means “the art or practice of arriving at the
truth by the exchange of logical arguments”
(dictionary.com)
Dialectical Writing
Your dialectical
writing must prove
that you are a
thinker. You are
proving that you have
had insightful, literate
thoughts about what
you have read.
The Thinker is a bronze and marble
sculpture by Auguste Rodin, whose first
cast, of 1902, is now in the Musee Rodin,
in Paris.
Grade 11 Exemplar
This exemplar come from the novel,
The Chrysalids.
 The writer, Matt Martell, will provide an
excellent analysis of a particular
passage from the novel.

Refer to your hand-outs
You should have hand-outs on dialectical
writing (and a rubric), literary terms, and
using quotations. Plus there is lots of useful
info on my web-site.
Choosing Quotations

You are choosing
quotations to write about.
Choose quotations that
are both interesting and
important. Choose
quotations that you like
and can respond to.
Choose quotations that
make you think.
Poor Choices will hurt
your notebook!
What do I write?

1.
2.


Your entries will include thoughtful responses
to the text.
personal reflection and connections. (text to
self /the real world
analysis of literary techniques and the
author’s us of the elements of fiction
The most important thing to remember is
that your observations should be specific
and detailed. DO NOT SIMPLY
PARAPHRASE THE PASSAGE!
Respond, Analyze, and Evaluate.
Basic Personal Responses--show insight***
Text to Self/World Connections
 Respond personally about the beliefs and
values implied in the text. Provide
personal opinions.
 Give your personal reactions to the
passage / reflect upon them
 Make personal connections to
character(s)
 Tell what it reminds you of from your own
experiences
 Write about what it makes you think
about or how it makes you feel.
Analytical Responses
 Analyze the text for use of literary
devices/techniques (figurative
language, tone, structure, style, imagery,
allusion, symbolism etc.)
 Analyze the author’s use of the elements
of fiction.
 Character development or how the
passage characterizes someone in the
novel will usually be important.
 Analyze a passage for its thematic
message.
Organize Your Entries into
Paragraphs—FORMULA***
Each response should contain the
following elements:
(1) Provide a brief (two or three sentences)
explanation to provide context for your
quotation and insert it.
(2) Provide your original personal insights on the
quotation.
(3) Point out what elements of fiction are the
focal points of the passage and/or comment
on the use of literary devices/techniques.
(4) Include a closing remark. SAMPLE

USE MLA FORMAT
You must type your final drafts and
include a word count.
 Use MLA to cite quotations by author
and page number.
 You may be given class time to work on
your entries. Some students may
choose to work on drafts in class and
type final copies at home.

Lord of the Flies
Entry 1—Choose a passage from
chapter 1-4 Due Nov 19th
 Entry 2 – Choose a passage from
chapter 5-8 Due
 Entry 3 – Choose a passage from
chapter 9-12 Due

Sample 1 Wind
 Sample 2 News

This will be a lot of work!
The Great Gatsby
Entry 1—Choose a passage from
chapter 1-3 Due Nov
 Entry 2 – Choose a passage from
chapter 4-6 Due
 Entry 3 – Choose a passage from
chapter 7-9 Due

Sample 1 Wind
 Sample 2 Gatsby

Getting Started
I have booked lap-tops for Friday.
 You have the whole period to work or
read.
