ENGL 1301 Fall 2014 Guidelines for the Dialectical Journal Dialectic means “the art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.” The “dialectic” was the method Socrates used to teach his students how to be actively engaged in the struggle to obtain meaning from an unfamiliar and challenging work. A dialectical journal is a written conversation with yourself about a text or process that encourages the habit of reflective questioning. You will use a double-­‐entry form (see Dialectical Journal Entry Format) to examine details of a passage and synthesize your understanding of the text. By writing about the writing process and literature, you make your own meaning of the work in order to truly understand it. When you do this yourself, then the text belongs to you-­‐-­‐you have made it yours. The passages are there for everyone to read; however, the connections and interpretations are uniquely yours. You are neither right nor wrong in your response. So be willing to take risks and be honest. There is to be NO collaboration with other students. Any assistance from the Internet, movies, or secondary sources such as Sparknotes or Cliff Notes will be viewed as cheating. Handwrite your journal entries. Even though journaling by computer may seem “faster” or convenient, hand journaling stimulates more conscious thinking, and creative thought process is less likely to be “interrupted” by deleting, technical rewriting when typing on a computer. If you have questions about format, e-­‐mail me! How will the DJ help me? ü Encourages effective note-­‐
ü Encourages habit of reflective taking questioning ü Works with all kinds of ü Allows me to explore and literature (including record new ideas textbooks) ü Encourages critical reading ü Allows me to use writing as a tool rather than a product to be judged ü Encourages active reading ü Develops my confidence in my reading and writing skills ü Encourages analytical thinking I. Instructions: (1) Purchase a spiral bound notebook or composition book. (2) Reserve the first 3 pages of the notebook for: a) Cover page (includes your name, course name, course number (CRN), and “Dialectical Journal” title); and b) Table of Contents (includes selection title and page number). (3) Use the fourth page to begin your entry. Title this as “Initial Reflection.” (4) After the “Initial Reflection,” use a fresh page to begin the dialectical journal. (5) TEXT page: Use the back page of the fresh notebook sheet or the LEFT SIDE of the notebook pages (and consecutive pages onward) for in-­‐class journal topics assigned by the instructor and copied/cited passages verbatim from the reading selections, including quotation marks and page numbers in The Writer’s Presence. a. From the WP text, choose two passages/quotes from each reading selection. For in-­‐class journal topics, copy and respond to the given prompt. b. When should you write passages down? i. Details that seem important to you ii. You have an epiphany iii. You learn something significant about a character iv. You recognize a pattern (overlapping images, repetitions of idea, details, etc.) v. You agree or disagree with something a character says/does vi. You find an interesting or potentially significant quotation vii. You notice something important or relevant about the writer’s style viii. You notice effective use of literary devices (6) RESPONSE page: Use the facing, opposite page or the RIGHT SIDE of the notebook pages (and consecutive pages onward) to reflect upon the passages. a. Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text b. Give your personal reactions to the passage, characters, situation c. Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character d. Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences e. Compare the text to other characters or novels f. Write about what it makes you think or feel g. Argue with or speak to the characters or author h. Make connections to any themes that are revealed to you i. Make connections among passages or sections of the work j. Make predictions about characters’ futures k. DO NOT MERELY SUMMARIZE THE PLOT 1
(7) Each RESPONSE must be at least 75 words (include word count at the end of each response). (8) Write down your thoughts, questions, insights, and ideas while you read or immediately after reading a selection, so the information is fresh. (9) As you take notes, you should regularly reread the previous pages of notes and comments. (10) First person is acceptable in the RESPONSE page. (11) Remember that quotations do not have to be dialogue! (12) There are a total of 20 dialectical journal entries (this includes “Initial Reflection” and “Final Reflection”). (13) The first TEN entries (including “Initial Reflection”) are DUE on NOVEMBER 10, 2014. (14) The entire dialectical journal (including “Final Reflection”) is DUE on DECEMBER 3, 2014. You will then sign up for the Final Conference and present your dialectical journal on DECEMBER 3, 2014. (15) Presenting the Journal: Since the journal is your gesture of making meaning, it will not be graded directly or read through systematically. You’ll summarize for me the high points of your journal and interpret yourself as an interpreter. You’ll probably be asked some hard questions about your responses and your summary. At the end of the course you’ll have a final 10-­‐minute conference. Your work in your journal will count up to 15% of the final grade, and your grade on the journal will be determined by how you present it to me in that final conference. In other words, you’ll want to prepare by reviewing it, selecting especially significant parts to read to me, and summarizing and interpreting your work so as to show what you made of the course for yourself. My scheduled final conference: ______________________________________ II. Dialectical Journal Entry Format: Title (Book, “Essay,” “Poem,” or “Short Story”) and Author of Selection p. 1 p. 1 TEXT (LEFT SIDE OF NOTEBOOK RESPONSE (RIGHT SIDE OF NOTEBOOK PAGES) PAGES) (This is what the text says) (This is what I say.) Write what I think is a meaningful Write a personal response of what I think quote from the text. about the passage. Include: direct quotes, citations, Include: and brief summaries. ü Inferences ü Reflections ~ what the passage Exclude: long drawn-­‐out plot stirs in my thinking or memory summaries, including great detail ü Associations about every event. ü My feelings toward the author’s words (mood, atmosphere) ü Connections among passages or OR sections of the work ü Literary devices that I discover Include the writing prompt (rom a ü Remarks about author’s style, pool of “Journal Topics” when tone, diction, sentence structure, doing the Free Choice responses. imagery, syntax, etc. ü Words or passages I don’t understand ü Words or passages I think are important Remember goal: to arrive at the truth. (universal truth) Always use logic and textual evidence to support your findings. (prove it!) After I’ve completed my dialectical journal, I will review my notes and write a brief summary of my ideas and impressions. I will NOT write a plot summary. 2
III. Sample Dialectical Journal Entries: In-­‐class topic: Peer Review of Essay #1 p. 1 p.1 TEXT RESPONSE Oct. 5, 2014: Respond to a writing During our peer review workshop, I process or topic from today’s lecture had the opportunity to comment and (rhetorical appeals; argumentation; give feedback to a peer’s essay draft…. or, thesis development) And so on…. (number of words) Night by Elie Wiesel p. 2 p. 2 TEXT RESPONSE 1) “The snow was like a carpet, very I can picture the men standing in the gentle, very warm” (Wiesel 83). concentration camp, watching the snow blanket the ground. It is silent Brief summary: …. (1-­‐2 sentences) there. The snow-­‐covered ground is smooth and soft. Wiesel describes the snow as being “gentle” and “warm.” This comparison is not what one would expect. Standing barefoot in the snow would be very painful. The cold would cut deep into one’s feet. So why does he say it is warm? Maybe his feet are frozen, numb to the pain. Perhaps the snow provides insulation from night’s bitter cold. This comparison creates a sense of peace, a moment without terror and fear. It is as if he is home again, safe and warm. (111 words) 2) “Another quotation” (author page #). Another response to quotation #2 Brief summary:…. IV. If you get stuck, use the following list to help you get started. WRITE ABOUT: what you like, what you dislike, what seems confusing, what seems unusual, what you think something means, what personal connections you make, what predictions you can pose. Possible sentence lead-­‐ins might begin like: * I really don't understand this because. . . * I really like/dislike this idea because. . . * This idea/event seems to be important because. . . * I think the author is trying to say that . . . * This passage reminds me of a time in my life when . . . * If I were (name of character), at this point I would . . . * This part doesn't make sense because . . . * This character reminds me of (name of person) because . . . THEN, try to focus on/connect your entries with the following rhetorical and/or literary elements. * Appeals and strategies * Motif * Internal and external conflict * Symbolism and theme * Literary devices and strategies (for example, simile, metaphor, Imagery, personification, repetition, etc.) V. Additional Instructions: Initial Reflection (~1-­‐2 pages) In essay format, introduce yourself, discuss and describe your personal experience/journey toward learning how to read and write. You may include personal struggles, strategies, discoveries, expectations, highs and lows. Respond to a favorite text or image. Consider times when your reading changes, see something you didn’t see before, recognize a pattern (images start to overlap, gestures, or phrases recur or get repeated), you discover that you were misreading, your first impression of the ending, and/or details you think are the most important points in the work. Final Reflection (~3 pages) In essay format, evaluate your literary and personal journey by revisiting your journal entries. Make comparisons with your initial reflection entry. Reflect on yourself as a reader – what do you focus on? What do you most care about? What do you disregard? When do you have the most trouble staying with a work? As you make these reflections on your reading and writing experience, discuss your emerging sense of developing critical thinking and reading skills in articulating legitimate readings of a text.
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ENGL 1301 Fall 2014 12-WK Session
Journal Topics
Week # 1 In-­‐Class 2 3 4 5 #2 #4 #6 #8 Out-­‐of-­‐Class #1 – Initial Reflection In essay format, introduce yourself, discuss and describe your personal experience/journey toward learning how to read and write. You may include personal struggles, strategies, discoveries, expectations, highs and lows. Respond to a favorite text or image. Consider times when your reading changes, see something you didn’t see before, recognize a pattern (images start to overlap, gestures, or phrases recur or get repeated), you discover that you were misreading, your first impression of the ending, and/or details you think are the most important points in the work. #3 – Free choice (see “Journal Topics”) #5 – Free choice (see “Journal Topics”) #7 – Free choice (see “Journal Topics”) #9 – Free choice (see “Journal Topics”) 6 7 #10 #12 #11 – Free choice (see “Journal Topics”) #13 – Free choice (see “Journal Topics”) 8 9 10 #16 #18 11 #14 – Free choice (see “Journal Topics”) #15 – Free choice (see “Journal Topics”) #17 – Free choice (see “Journal Topics”) #19 – Free choice (see “Journal Topics”) #20 – Final Reflection In essay format, evaluate your literary and personal journey by revisiting your journal entries. Make comparisons with your initial reflection entry. Reflect on yourself as a reader – what do you focus on? What do you most care about? What do you disregard? When do you have the most trouble staying with a work? As you make these reflections on your reading and writing experience, discuss your emerging sense of developing critical thinking and reading skills in articulating legitimate readings of a text. 12 4
Free Choice “Journal Topics” A. Readings from The Writer’s Presence (WP): Read a selection. Take notes on several key issues or ideas with which you can relate, express an opinion about, and/or simply find significant. Choose two substantial quotes from the reading and respond. • Amy Cunningham, “Why Women Smile” (347) • Sherman Alexie, “The Joy of Reading and Writing” Superman and Me” (27) • Nancy Mairs, “On Being a Cripple” (142) • Jonathan Safran Foer, “Let Them Eat Dog” (661) B. Creative Writing Write a personal response to a topic below. The response should include a sense of completion (meaning, the narrative has a beginning, middle, and ending) and descriptive imagery. • Trapped: “If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose? Consider the setting, the characters, the lifestyle, and so on.” • Advice: “If you could pass along only one piece of advice on how to feel fulfillment in life, what would you say?” • Once in a Lifetime: “Above everything else, what one thing do you personally believe all people should do or experience at least once in their lifetime—just to say they’ve done it?” • Original: “If you could have the original of anything, what would you want it to be?” C. Writing About Issues Evaluate the claim statement. Then, write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement, claim, or recommendation. Explain your reasoning for the position you take. • Best Way to Teach?: “The best way to teach is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones.” • Flexible Laws?: “Laws should be flexible enough to take account of various circumstances, times, and places.” • How to Measure Success?: “True success can be measured primarily in terms of the goals one sets for oneself.” • Who is a Hero?: “In this age of intensive media coverage, it is no longer possible for a society to regard any living man or woman as a hero.” 5