McNair’s AP Lit
Dracula Dialectical Journal Assignment
As you read the book, you should keep a dialectical journal. “Dialectical” means “conversational”—so a dialectical journal is a conversation, between you and the text. The dialectical journal as three key components: citation, passage (should include direct text evidence, but may also include summarization), and the reader’s commentary on the passage. Passages should come from throughout the text, and commentary should be thought-provoking and personal (suggested length: 4-6 pages). The point of this is to demonstrate to me that you THINK as you read, and for you to track your thoughts as you read the book. Your dialectical journal should be typed with an MLA heading and is due at the end of the novel.
Please format your dialectical journal like the sample below:
Citation Page / Passage / CommentaryPg. 1 / “I had for dinner, or rather supper, a chicken done up some way with red pepper, which was very good but thirsty.” / The reference to thirst – does this mirror Dracula’s thirst or foreshadow the concept of thirst? I like the interesting use of color and imagery with the paprika that is red like blood.
Pg. 5 / “She then rose and dried her eyes, and taking a crucifix from her neck offered it to me. I did not know what to do, for, as an English churchman, I have been taught to regard such things as in some measure idolatrous.” / This shows a difference between Catholics and Protestants and lets the reader know that Jonathan Harker doesn’t have faith in the Christian icons. As the novel progress, I assume this will play a larger role. It makes me wonder if these are a sign of Victorian thoughts on religion?
McNair’s AP Lit
Dracula Dialectical Journal Assignment
As you read the book, you should keep a dialectical journal. “Dialectical” means “conversational”—so a dialectical journal is a conversation, between you and the text. The dialectical journal as three key components: citation, passage (should include direct text evidence, but may also include summarization), and the reader’s commentary on the passage. Passages should come from throughout the text, and commentary should be thought-provoking and personal (suggested length: 4-6 pages). The point of this is to demonstrate to me that you THINK as you read, and for you to track your thoughts as you read the book. Your dialectical journal should be typed with an MLA heading and is due at the end of the novel.
Please format your dialectical journal like the sample below:
Citation Page / Passage / CommentaryPg. 1 / “I had for dinner, or rather supper, a chicken done up some way with red pepper, which was very good but thirsty.” / The reference to thirst – does this mirror Dracula’s thirst or foreshadow the concept of thirst? I like the interesting use of color and imagery with the paprika that is red like blood.
Pg. 5 / “She then rose and dried her eyes, and taking a crucifix from her neck offered it to me. I did not know what to do, for, as an English churchman, I have been taught to regard such things as in some measure idolatrous.” / This shows a difference between Catholics and Protestants and lets the reader know that Jonathan Harker doesn’t have faith in the Christian icons. As the novel progress, I assume this will play a larger role. It makes me wonder if these are a sign of Victorian thoughts on religion?