Dialectical Journals
Mr. Evans's Social Studies Classes
2002-2003

dialectical (die-uh-LEKT-i-cul), n. : the art or practice of arriving at the truth through logical arguments.

journal (JUHR-nul), n. : a personal record of events, experiences, and reflections kept on a regular basis; a diary.

Dialectical Journals are required for every 7th grade student in Mr. Evans's Social Studies classes!

What is a Dialectical Journal?

What Type of Notebook Should I Use?  Can I Use a Notebook from Another Class?

When Does Mr. Evans Collect the Journals?

How Do I Keep a Dialectical Journal?

I Want to See What a Dialectical Journal Looks Like!

When Do I Use My Dialectical Journal?

How Does Mr. Evans Grade Dialectical Journals?

When I am Writing in My Dialectical Journal, is There a Right and Wrong Answer?

What is a Dialectical Journal?

A dialectical journal is another name for a double-entry journal or a reader-response journal.  A dialectical journal is a journal that records a dialogue, or conversation, between the ideas in the text (the words that you are reading) and the ideas of the reader (the person who is doing the reading).  This is what you must do in your journal—keep a dialogue with yourself.  In your journal, have a conversation with the text and with yourself.  Write down your thoughts, questions, insights, and ideas while you read. A dialectical journal can include all sorts of things: class notes, notes on discussions, notes on papers, reactions to readings. The important part is that you, the reader, are reading something and then responding to it with your feelings and ideas!

What Type of Notebook Should I Use? Can I Use
A Notebook from Another Class?

Your journal must be either a composition notebook or a large spiral-bound notebook with perforated sheets. Loose-leaf paper and folders is not appropriate.  You will use your journal for Social Studies class and for Social Studies class alone. You need to be able to turn in your journal and leave it with me without worrying about your Science or Math or Reading notes.

When Will Mr. Evans Collect the Journals?

You must have your journal in class EVERY DAY. They will be collected and graded at random, and those who do not have their journals will receive zeroes. Sometimes, I may check journals instead of giving a reading quiz. Or, I may give a quiz and check journals. If you do not have a journal when it is requested, you will receive a zero (1/2 credit for 1 day late)!

How Do I Keep A Dialectical Journal?

Your journal will use a two-entry form:

• Fold the page in half.
  
• In the LEFT COLUMN, write down parts of paragraphs from our books and articles, quotes, or notes from class that you think are interesting or important.
  
• In the RIGHT COLUMN, wriite down YOUR OWN thoughts, commentary, and questions about the stuff in the LEFT COLUMN.
  
  
• Click here to see what a dialectical journal looks like.

NOTE: We will practice this in class. If you are still confused, please contact me or see me after school.

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When Do I Use My Dialectical Journal?

Journaling is expected for EVERYTHING WE READ AND STUDY: short stories, poems, novels, and plays. Use the same journal format, regardless of what we are reading.

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How Does Mr. Evans Grade Dialectical Journals?

Dialectical Journals are worth 25% of your quarterly grade. You will write in your journal at least once a week. Journal entries will be at least five sentences long. I will grade journals in a variety of ways; I may spot check for 5 or 10 points, or I may collect to read and grade thoroughly for significantly more points. The grading criteria for the journal will remain the same—only the points will be adjusted.

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When I am writing in my Dialectical Journal,
is there a Right and Wrong Answer?

NO! A dialectical journal shows your own thoughts and ideas about the things we read in class. When you write in your journal, you should be as original and creative as you can be. The Sky's the Limit!

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