ALEX Learning Activity

ABC Dialectical Journal for Characterization

A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.

  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: Leann Bryan
System:Calhoun County
School:Calhoun County Board Of Education
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 2335
Title:
ABC Dialectical Journal for Characterization
Digital Tool/Resource:
ABC Dialectical Journal for Characterization
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

In this learning activity, students can use the ABC Dialectical Journal to analyze a particular character from a text. It will guide students to make an assertion, support it with text evidence, and further explain their thinking. 

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.
  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 8
3. Analyze how authors use key literary elements, including setting, plot, theme, characters, internal and external conflict, dialogue, and point of view, to contribute to the meaning and purpose of a text, using text evidence as support.
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 9
R2. Read and comprehend a variety of literary texts to develop a literal and figurative understanding as appropriate to the type of text, purpose, and situation.

Examples: short and long prose texts, poetry, dramas
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 9
4. Analyze how authors use characterization, connotation, denotation, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view to create and convey meaning in a variety of texts.
Learning Objectives:

Students will cite strong textual evidence to support their assertions made about a character.

Students will draw evidence from literary texts to support their analysis of a character. 
  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
During/Explore/Explain
Activity:

To complete this activity, students should choose a teacher-provided text (from the textbook or class chapter book).

Students are provided with the ABC Dialectical Journal for Characterization. As students read a text, they will complete the journal to analyze a character. In box A, students will assert a character from the text. In box B, students will provide strong textual evidence to support their assertion. Lastly, in box C, students will provide commentary to support boxes A and B. 

After completing this journal, students will be ready to write a character analysis essay following the ABC format. 
Assessment Strategies:

Teachers can read ABC journals to determine if a student has mastered citing evidence to support a claim and analysis. 
Advanced Preparation:

Provide students with the ABC Dialectical Journal for Characterization 

Provide students with instructions on citing textual evidence. 

 
Variation Tips (optional):

After completing the journal, students would be ready to write a character analysis essay. 
Notes or Recommendations (optional):

Students can complete one chart per chapter of an assigned text. Teachers would need to provide multiple copies of the journal.
  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: annotate, character analysis, cite, dialectical journal, textual evidence