English 12—Mr. Nauss

“Dialectical” means “the art or practice of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments” (disctionary.com)

Dialectical / Visual Notebook Your dialectical notebook must prove that you are a thinker. You are proving that you have had insightful thoughts about what you have read. The Thinker is a bronze and marble sculpture by Auguste Rodin, whose first cast, of 1902, is now in the Musee Rodin, in Paris.

Refer to your hand-outshand-outs

Choosing Quotations Poor Choices will hurt your notebook!  You are choosing quotations to write about. Choose quotations that are both interesting and important. Choose quotations that you like and can respond to. Choose quotations that make you think.

What do I write?  Your entries will include genuine responses to the text. This includes personal reflection and connections, literary techniques and qualities (descriptive language, diction, figurative language, allusion, characterization, plot development, etc.) and most importantly, what you think the author is trying to tell us.  The most important thing to remember is that your observations should be specific and detailed. DO NOT SIMPLY PARAPHRASE THE PASSAGE!  Respond, Analyze, and Evaluate

Basic Personal Responses --show insight*** Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text Give your personal reactions to the passage / reflect upon them Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s) Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences Write about what it makes you think or feel Agree or disagree with a character or the author

Analytical Responses Analyze the text for use of literary devices (tone, structure, style, imagery) Make connections between different characters or events in the text Make connections to a different text (or film, song, poem, etc…) Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s) Analyze a passage and its relationship to the story as a whole

Organize Your Entries into Paragraphs  Each response should contain the following elements: (1) Provide a brief (two or three sentences) explanation of context for your quotation. (2) Provide your original thoughts/perspectives on the quotation (your personal insights) (3) Point out what elements of fiction are the focal points of the passage and/or comment on the use of literary devices/techniques. (4) Include a closing remark. SAMPLESAMPLE

Should I write or type these?  You must type your final drafts and include a word count.  Use MLA to cite quotations by author and page number.  You may be given class time to work on your entries. Some students may choose to work on drafts in class and type final copies at home.

Visual Component! SEND MESSAGES WITH VISUALS CREATIVITYMETAPHOR USE VISUALS AND TEXT SYMBOLSCOLOUR IDEASTHEMES

Format  Be sure to include a brief explanation of the meaning/intent of your visuals.  Make sure your visuals can actually do what you think they do!

Visual Component  Use your two pages to convey important ideas from each chapter.  It may or may not be related to your chapter passage.  Make your visuals “tell a story”!

TRY THIS: 1. Find an important idea from the chapter. 2. Think of how you can visually present this idea. 3. Think of ways to make this visual connect more specifically to the novel.. Do this by adding details to your visual. 4. Finally, make sure to provide a clear and detailed explanation of what you intended your visuals to do.

Visuals and Text Combining words and images is a powerful tool for self expression. Once you've written your journal entry let the words conjure up images and illustrate the page to express the feelings behind the words. Words and images compliment each other very well and help you see deeper into their meaning. Your pages should push the convention of how images and text are combined.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD