Book Thief Dialectical Journals 1 
The Book Thief Dialectical Journal Assignment
Due on/before ________________________
The Assignment:
1. In your notebook, complete a dialectical journal** (two-column notes) in which you discuss your author’s language and style. (See “Ideas for Analyzing Text.”)
2. Meet the required number (15) of concrete details in your journal notes. * See the page labeled “How to Choose Quotations…” for these requirements.
*Dialectic: “The art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.”
*Dialectical Journal: A written conversation with yourself about a piece of literature.
Format:
1. Label the left side of each journal page “CD – Concrete Details” and label the right side of each journal page “CM – Commentary.”
2. The left “CD” side is where you record examples and page numbers: quotations, direct quotes, evidence, support, images, etc. from the book. *Always accompany CD with page numbers, cited in proper MLA format!
3. The right “CM” side is where you record corresponding analysis: reactions, ideas, opinions, comments, inferences, insights, questions, etc. from your head. What is it about the writing that stands out and makes the work distinctive? The important part is that you, the reader, are reading something and then responding with analysis. Have a conversation with the text and with yourself.
*Dialectical Journal Student Sample:
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
CD-Concrete Detail/Quote and page number
CM-Commentary/Analysis Observations
1. IMAGERY
“…what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men” (Fitzgerald 7).
I found this sentence thought provoking and an interesting use of imagery. By using strong visual imagery, Fitzgerald allowed multiple interpretations of this sentence. “Foul dust” could possibly relate to laziness since that is the reason why dust exists: a lack of motivation to clean and
Due on/before ________________________
The Assignment:
1. In your notebook, complete a dialectical journal** (two-column notes) in which you discuss your author’s language and style. (See “Ideas for Analyzing Text.”)
2. Meet the required number (15) of concrete details in your journal notes. * See the page labeled “How to Choose Quotations…” for these requirements.
*Dialectic: “The art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.”
*Dialectical Journal: A written conversation with yourself about a piece of literature.
Format:
1. Label the left side of each journal page “CD – Concrete Details” and label the right side of each journal page “CM – Commentary.”
2. The left “CD” side is where you record examples and page numbers: quotations, direct quotes, evidence, support, images, etc. from the book. *Always accompany CD with page numbers, cited in proper MLA format!
3. The right “CM” side is where you record corresponding analysis: reactions, ideas, opinions, comments, inferences, insights, questions, etc. from your head. What is it about the writing that stands out and makes the work distinctive? The important part is that you, the reader, are reading something and then responding with analysis. Have a conversation with the text and with yourself.
*Dialectical Journal Student Sample:
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
CD-Concrete Detail/Quote and page number
CM-Commentary/Analysis Observations
1. IMAGERY
“…what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men” (Fitzgerald 7).
I found this sentence thought provoking and an interesting use of imagery. By using strong visual imagery, Fitzgerald allowed multiple interpretations of this sentence. “Foul dust” could possibly relate to laziness since that is the reason why dust exists: a lack of motivation to clean and