Animal Farm Dialectical Journal Assignment As we read Animal Farm, you will be required to make at least one dialectical journal entry each week. Push yourself to think critically about what you read and formulate ORIGINAL IDEAS about what YOU think. You may type your dialectical journals or neatly write them on a piece of binder paper. How do I keep a dialectical journal? Divide the page into two columns. In the LEFT COLUMN: o Write down passages from the book that you feel are important. o Include the page number you found it on. o If it is a direct quote (someone in the book spoke it, dialogue), include the character who said it o You may also include indirect quotes (words the narrator say to us). In the RIGHT COLUMN: o In 2 or more sentences write a brief explanation of what is going on in the scene: Who‟s talking? To whom? About what? What details are important for this scene‟s situation? o In 3 or more sentences write YOUR OWN opinion, thoughts, commentary, and questions about the passage. o In 4 or more sentences write an analysis of the passage: Why is this passage important? What does the passage reveal about a character, or an event, or a possible theme or idea that Orwell is trying to convey. Is it possible to make a prediction based off of your chosen passage? Assessment: Each Dialectical Journal entry will be worth 15 points. It will mainly be graded on the following criteria: o Quality and completeness of assignment o Depth and thoughtfulness of reflective writing o Organization and neatness What does a dialectical journal look like? The following is an example of an appropriate dialectical journal entry for My Brother Sam is Dead. Passages/Quotes Response ______________________________________________________________________ “„You are not going to Wethersfield and you are going to take off that uniform right now…‟” –Mr. Meeker “„…I am an American, and I am going to fight to keep my country free.‟” –Sam (pg. 20-21) (Explanation)Tim had just woken up to hear his father and Sam arguing about going to war. Father was upset because he did not want Sam to take part in the war, but Sam told him he would fight anyway. (Opinion) I imagine this had to have been scary for Tim to hear because he realizes that his brother really is going to go to war. My first thought would have been; will I ever see my brother again? I understand why Father doesn‟t want Sam to fight. I don‟t think it‟s about Patriots or Tories. Father doesn‟t want Sam to fight because he‟s also afraid of losing Sam. (Analysis) This passage is important because this demonstrates the effect that the war is already having on the Meeker family. At this point, the family is starting to split apart because Sam wants to go to war and his father doesn‟t want him to. Also, Sam is on one side and…
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