To kill a mockingbird and a 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 the text. Blend this quote into a sentence. Also include proper parenthetical documentation (Author page)
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.
Your reaction goes here – opinion, question, comment, reaction, etc.
This reaction should be real, candid, honest, and school appropriate.
Example:
Chapter 1: Boo Rumors
At the beginning of the chapter, Scout narrates, “when enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident” (Lee 3).
Who had the accident? Does this foreshadow something that will happen in the novel? Does this statement reveal the author’s purpose for writing the novel?
How many entries do I need?
You need to have at least 2 entries per chapter. There are MANY
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 the text. Blend this quote into a sentence. Also include proper parenthetical documentation (Author page)
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.
Your reaction goes here – opinion, question, comment, reaction, etc.
This reaction should be real, candid, honest, and school appropriate.
Example:
Chapter 1: Boo Rumors
At the beginning of the chapter, Scout narrates, “when enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident” (Lee 3).
Who had the accident? Does this foreshadow something that will happen in the novel? Does this statement reveal the author’s purpose for writing the novel?
How many entries do I need?
You need to have at least 2 entries per chapter. There are MANY