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A Guide to Writing Dialectical/Quote Journals

Why?

  • Choosing a quote, also known as evidence, for a Quote Journal or Four-Square directs a student’s attention to specific aspects of the story that are meant to catch the reader’s attention and provide insight into the plot, characterization, theme, or other literary devices.
  • Writing an analytical response, also known as analysis, encourages students to develop critical thinking skills by encouraging them to reflect, question, infer, and speculate about the literature.

When?

  • Quote Journals or Four-Squares are assigned on a weekly basis in correlation with the outside readings such as Animal Farmand To Kill a Mockingbird.

How? (Quote Journals)

  • MLA heading at the top of the page
  • Text and chapter must be included in the title
  • Left column holds the quote in MLA format (2-5 sentences)
  • Right column holds the commentary(3-5 sentences)
  • NO use of I, me, my, myself, mine, you, your, yours, yourself, etc. in analysis

What?

Responding to evidence (quote) can be intimidating. Below is a list of questions to guide the writing of analysis.

  • How does the quote connect to the title?
  • How may someone’s beliefs affect the response to the quote?
  • What insight into the story does the quote provide?
  • Are there any literary elements in the quote? Look at the literary terms sheet for ideas.
  • Does it relate to any other pieces of writing or significant events?
  • Think of how someone else might react and why.
  • What does the quote tell about the character(s), narrator, and/or author?
  • Does the character experience some type of dilemma and what advice might be needed?
  • What idea is the author exploring in this piece of work? How important is the idea?
  • Was there a portion that did not make sense? What did not make sense and why?
  • Is the quote foreshadowing something and what might that be?
  • What might the author want the reader to know/realize?
  • Imagine what might happen next and why that might happen.

Note: These are simply some starter ideas to help overcome any “writer’s block” that may occur when writing analysis. Feel free to stray from the confines of these suggestions and allow your evaluative nature and creativity to flow. Remember that analysis is opinion, insight, and detail, stated as a fact. Although it is a judgment of the quote, it is important to claim it as acertainty.