To Kill a Mockingbird Dialectical Journal



To Kill a Mockingbird Dialectical Journal

We will begin a thorough study of Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird this week. In order to participate in class discussions and activities it is mandatory that you keep up with the reading. While you read you need to add entries to your dialectical journal, detailed below.

What is a Dialectical Journal?

A Dialectical Journal is a journal in which a reader records a mental conversation with the text. You can use this journal to:

• Summarize and question

• Pose questions

• Read closely for details, images, diction, etc.

• Notice patterns

• Write analysis and make connections

• Connect method to purpose, effect, and meaning

• Make choices about evidence

• Document quotes

• Make inferences about characters, symbols, etc.

• Write analysis justifying an assertion

• Analyze elements of literature

How should I set up my Dialectical Journal?

This is how you will set up each page:

|Chapter #: Title goes here (the chapters are not titled, you will make this up) |

|Text and main ideas |Reactions and details |

|Quote goes here – you may quote a phrase, sentence, or section of|Your reaction goes here – opinion, question, comment, reaction, |

|the text. Blend this quote into a sentence. Also include proper|etc. |

|parenthetical documentation (Author page) |This reaction should be real, candid, honest, and school |

| |appropriate. |

|In this section, record quotes that contain unique examples of | |

|author’s style, figurative language, new vocabulary words, | |

|thematic moments, character and plot development, etc. | |

Example:

|Chapter 1: Boo Rumors |

|At the beginning of the chapter, Scout narrates, “when enough years |Who had the accident? Does this foreshadow something that will happen |

|had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed |in the novel? Does this statement reveal the author’s purpose for |

|the events leading to his accident” (Lee 3). |writing the novel? |

How many entries do I need?

You need to have at least 2 entries per chapter. There are MANY examples to include in your journal, so 2 is the minimum. There are some shorter chapters where two is sufficient; however, if it’s a longer chapter, make sure you compensate by completing more than two entries!

What if I am absent?

You will need to read the chapter or chapters you missed on-line at:

Once you’ve read what you missed during class, complete the dialectical journal.

Topics for Dialectical Journals

Here are some possible topics for your Dialectical Journal. You are not limited to the topics on this chart; this is merely a starting point.

|Chapter |Topics |

|1-2 |Point of view, setting, characterization, satire |

|3-4 |Society, style, foreshadowing, themes |

|5-6 |Gothic theme, repetition for effect, motifs |

|7-8 |Gender roles, style, allusions, |

|9-10 |Character relationships, determination, gender roles, lessons, symbolism |

|11 |Courage, symbolism, characterization |

|12-13 |Racism, style, femininity |

|14-15 |Theme, coming of age, prejudice |

|16-17 |Characterization, societal roles, |

|18-19 |Theme, character motivation |

|20-22 |Mr. Raymond, equality/fairness |

|23-24 |“folks,” style, gender roles |

|25-31 |On your own! |

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