Dialectical Journal Example
Example Dialectical Journal
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A dialectical journal, also known as two-‐column notes, is used to identify important passages in a text and analyze their significance.
TEXT EVIDENCE: these are word-‐for-‐word copied from the text quotes and should demonstrate some important part of the text. Page numbers are given in parentheses, known as a parenthetical citation, at the end of the quote. Do not use any punctuation after the closing parenthesis.
ANALYSIS RESPONSE: this is your analysis of how and why this part of the text is important. It may contain your insights, predictions, and opinion about the story, character, plot, setting, or other literary aspect. Text Evidence (including page number)
“Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom. People said he existed, but Jem and I had never seen him.” (9)
Analysis of Significance
Scout had heard rumors about Boo Radley but didn’t actually know anything first hand or truthfully. She relied on gossip in the neighborhood for her information. This shows a lack of maturity on her part since she can’t actually discern rumor from reality.
Scout, Jem, and Dill use Boo’s life events as a “As the summer progressed, so did our game. way to ridicule and make fun of him. They We polished and perfected it,
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A dialectical journal, also known as two-‐column notes, is used to identify important passages in a text and analyze their significance.
TEXT EVIDENCE: these are word-‐for-‐word copied from the text quotes and should demonstrate some important part of the text. Page numbers are given in parentheses, known as a parenthetical citation, at the end of the quote. Do not use any punctuation after the closing parenthesis.
ANALYSIS RESPONSE: this is your analysis of how and why this part of the text is important. It may contain your insights, predictions, and opinion about the story, character, plot, setting, or other literary aspect. Text Evidence (including page number)
“Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom. People said he existed, but Jem and I had never seen him.” (9)
Analysis of Significance
Scout had heard rumors about Boo Radley but didn’t actually know anything first hand or truthfully. She relied on gossip in the neighborhood for her information. This shows a lack of maturity on her part since she can’t actually discern rumor from reality.
Scout, Jem, and Dill use Boo’s life events as a “As the summer progressed, so did our game. way to ridicule and make fun of him. They We polished and perfected it,