Dialectical Notes are a form of dialogue between ourselves and a piece of literature. In them, we note particular passages or events from the reading and comment thoughtfully on them, therefore learning more about the literature.
To set-up your Dialectical Notebook, you need to create two columns. In the left column of each page, your “Quotations” column, you present a line/ quotation taken directly from the text. Each textural line/ quotation should run 1-4 sentences and should include the page number in parenthesis after the quotation. The right column is your “Reactions” column. Here, you offer a brief summary, evaluation, connection and analysis to respond to the quotation you have selected.
All responses must be in complete sentences and each entry should take at least ONE page to complete. You are required to select SIX (6) lines from The Five People You Meet In Heaven, thus you will have six complete entries. Your “Reactions” column should address all of the following components:
• Summary — a brief reference to the event you are referring to in your analysis; this is the only portion of your reaction column that summarizes the plot.
• Evaluation — your opinion of the event and characters’ behavior; this should be an opinion statement backed up with a “because…” statement (avoid personal pronouns)
• Connection — an experience from an outside source (your life, other literature, world events, movies, music, etc.) which relates to your text selection/quote…….also, EXPLAIN the relation!
• Analysis — identify ONE (1) literary device (such as: conflict, characterization, foreshadowing, imagery, irony, metaphor, symbolism, theme, mood) used in the text selection/ quote and EXPLAIN how it affects to the overall meaning/ theme of the piece of literature
Note: Please label each of the four entry components (Summary, Evaluation, Connection, Analysis) for clarity and ease in grading. |