SSR and The Dialectical Reading Journal

 

Three to five days a week, we will have Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) for the first 20 minutes of class.  During SSR, you will keep a dialectical response journal, which is explained below.  Each day we have SSR, you will earn 10 points if you arrive to class on time and read silently.  You may not talk or work on other assignments during this time.  Every 10 days, you earn a grade of 100% – if you have not lost points for talking, etc.

 

What is a dialectical journal?

It is a place for you to think about the text in a written form.  It is “dialectical” because it records your interaction with the text; moreover, it involves both words from the text and your own words.

 

What isn’t a dialectical journal?

It definitely is NOT just a summary of what occurred in the section read.  The assumption is that you know what went on.  Now is the time for you to think about the larger issues in the text. (Since you will be reading in short periods, I suggest you use a separate page to take notes on the characters and plot as a means of review.)

 

What do I write about in my dialectical journal?

To keep your reflections on the text focused, each entry needs to interpret or analyze a quote from the book.  The quotes that you choose should help deepen your understanding of the book and its larger themes.

 

What quotes should I choose for the journal?

The quotes are your choice.  However, to get you thinking deeply and thoughtfully about the text, consider the follow aspects of writing to focus on:

·        Examples of the author’s style & language

·        Figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification, symbolism)

·        Examples of recurring themes, images, colors, etc.

 

What does the dialectical journal look like?

One section of your notebook should be labeled SSR.  Each page will have two columns: “Quotation and Page” and “My Response.”  Be sure to include the title of the book (underlined) at the top of the page.  Your “response” to the quotes chosen should analyze the author’s style and purpose or shed light on your understanding of the book. [If you prefer NOT to use columns, copy the quote in one color and then respond right below it in a different color.]

 

How long does each entry need to be?

To thoughtfully delve into each section of the reading, your response to each quote should be about 1/2 page in length. You will complete five to ten pages for each novel.

 

How will I be graded?

In addition to your SSR grade, where you received 10 points daily for participation, your dialectical journal will be reviewed and graded based on effort and insight.