Mrs. Garrard
EN47
Coming of Age Novels
Independent Reading Dialectical Journal
(100 Points)
Directions: You will create a dialectical journal in which you respond to key quotes in the novel you have
selected to read for your project. Choose 20 key quotes to help us understand what you have read. The focus of
this independent unit is on character development. Your quotes should focus on how the protagonist of your
novel grows, changes, matures throughout the story. Be sure to select quotes that are spread throughout the
entire novel. You will miss important character development if all 20 of your quotes are from the beginning of
the novel! You will have two options for completing this assignment this quarter.
Electronically
If you would like to complete this assignment electronically, you will submit your dialectical journal entries
online through a GoogleForm. The link to this form is listed below, but it can also be found on my website. To
locate the link on my site, go to the EN47 page and click on the Class Resources link; it is under I label and is
titled Electronic Dialectical Journal Form.
https://docs.google.com/a/mpsaz.org/forms/d/1om5WvHIC57cbmZL1CVDIQ12mokhvRIyP8oMfAuUi3Do/viewform
Hard Copy
You will create a chart like the one below to organize your information. On the left side of the chart, you will
write the quote, making sure to properly cite in MLA format. On the right side, you will choose two to three
questions off the back to answer for each quote. You must include a variety of question choices, making sure to
answer each question at least twice throughout your journal. Each entry (quote and response) is worth 5 points.
This will need to be completed on your own loose leaf paper and will be turned in at the completion of the
novel.
Important quotes with page number:
Choose two to three questions off the back to answer for each quote:
EXAMPLE
1. “And I wish my name was
Cassandra or Alexis or Maritza--anything but Esperanza---but when I
tell them my name they don’t laugh”
(16).
1. I think that Esperanza realizes that even though she does not like
her name, others do not feel that there is anything wrong with it. She is
shocked that the girls do not laugh. She discovers that she has met
friends in her new neighborhood and that she can show her
disappointment about her name.
2.
2.
REMEMBER: the main goal of dialectical journaling is to arrive at a deeper understanding of the text,
specifically to arriving at a thematic interpretation. You should aim to answer at least 2-3 of the following
questions for each of the quotes that you choose. It is not necessary to write the questions; these are just guiding
thoughts for you.
1. What does the quote mean or suggest to you?
2. Why do you think it is important, to you personally and/or to the whole story?
3. What confuses you about the quote? Why is understanding this quote important to your
response to the whole work?
4. How does the quote connect to other ideas in the story?
5. How do you think the author feels about the ideas, events, or characters he/she is presenting?
6. If it suggests a problem, what solution(s) might exist?
7. What might have caused this problem?
8. Do the characters remind you of anyone else, in fiction, history, or your own life?
9. What is revealed about the character(s) through this quote?
10. What are the implications of this idea, in the story and/or beyond it?
11. Is the idea suggested correct or reasonable? Do you agree or disagree with it? Why?
12. How does this quote relate to other works you have read?
13. How does this quote relate to your personal experiences?
14. What works of art, music, dance, or film does it remind you of? How? How does making this
connection help you get more out of the question?
15. What prediction can you make based off the information in the quote?
16. What questions arise in your mind while you are reading?