Example of a Dialectical Entry

To Kill a Mockingbird Reading Log Entry

Quotations from the Text Commentary/Responses to the Text
1. “ ‘He might have hurt me a little,’ Atticus conceded, ‘but son, you’ll understand folks a little better when you’re older. A mob’s always made up of people, no matter what. Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man…So, it took an eight-year-old child to bring ‘em to their senses didn’t it?’” (159-160)


1. The tone here is matter-of-fact. Atticus admits that Mr. Cunningham could have harmed him, but he explains that Mr. Cunningham’s actions were not entirely his own; he was influenced by the crowd as is common for many people. It takes Scout recognizing him and talking to him to make Mr. Cunningham realize that what he is doing is wrong.


Reading Logs Should:
Be thoughtful, insightful, and original
Show understanding of the characters, setting, themes, and the WORK AS A WHOLE
Be thorough and complete
Each commentary entry must be 3-5 sentences and written in the present tense
Quotations should feature proper punctuation and the page reference in parentheses as above