Exemplary Sample Dialectical Journal Entries (Quotes and Notes)
Student Name: Bea Smart Book Title/Author: Hatchet, Gary Paulsen
Date: July 2007 Total pages: 195
(Quotes) From Text Pg # (Notes) From Me
p.8
p.23
p.48
“ ‘Thanks. It’s really nice.’ But the words
sounded hollow, even to Brian.”
“No roads, no trails, no clearings. Just the
lakes, and it came to him that he would
have to use a lake for landing. If he went
down into the trees he was certain to die.”
“Now, with the thought of the burger, the
emptiness roared at him. He could not
b
elieve the hunger, had never felt this way.
The lake water had filled his stomach, but
left it hungry, and not it demanded food,
screamed for food.”
7 additional entries would continue
on for a minimum of 10 entries.
Page numbers will indicate
selections from beginning, middle
and end of book.
“Why does Brian feel that way about getting
a hatchet from his Mom? If the words sound
hollow to Brian, he must not mean it. Why is
he mad at his Mom?
Asking questions
I can’t imagine keeping my cool in a
situation like this. I’d be on my cell phone,
freaking out & he’s trying to land the plane! I
guess it’s important to keep your cool in a
crisis.
Reaction to text
It’s weird how Brian’s stomach is like a
character now, driving his behavior. I’ve
been hungry before, but never like that. Is he
going to start eating things that are poison
because he is so hungry?
Observation of author craft and connections
An Exemplary Double-Entry Journal Contains The Following:
Total number of entries are 10 or more for the entire book.
Each “From Text” entry is 1 or more complete sentence.
“From Text” entries are from the entire book (beginning, middle and end). This is
indicated by page numbers.
Each “From Text” entry contains zero (0) spelling errors.
All “From Me” entries have 2 or more complete sentences and demonstrate fully
developed thoughts or connections about the text.
