Dialectical Journal: Informational Text

For this assignment you will read Ch. 1 Section 3 and find quotes from indicated sections below that help you
understand the main idea and then on the right hand side of the chart you will put what you learned from the
quote. Two sections have been completed for you to help you determine what to do.

Text: Ch.1 Sec 3

Republic: Direct quote Paragraph 1: Student Response

The author states that: .. The citizens choose a From this quote, I learned: In a republic people a
smaller group to represent them, make laws, and group of of people choose someone to represent
govern on their behalf. them and make choices for them.

Constitutional Monarchy: Direct quote Paragraph 2: Student Response

The monarchs are heads of state only, presiding at
This detail helps me to understand that in a
ceremonies and serving as symbols of unity. constitutional monarchy the monarchs dont actually
do much.

Democratic Principles: Direct quote Paragraph 3 & 4: Student Response

First, the power of the government comes from the
citizens. Second, Americans themselves, acting
through their representatives, run their government.
Third, the purpose of the government is to make the
United States a better place for those who live here.
This detail helps me to understand that in a
democracy, the governments power is from the
citizens, and that the people run the government,
which gives back to the people.

Absolute Monarchy Direct quote Student Response

That is, they had unlimited authority to rule as they This detail helped me understand that absolute
wished. Many countries still have monarchs, but monarchs had unlimited power over the people, and
absolute monarchy is almost nonexistent today. that they dont exist today.
Dictatorship: Direct quote
The text states that Unlike absolute monarchs, who
usually acquire their power through inheritance,
dictators usually take power by force. At times, when
a crisis situation demands a strong leader, authorities
may place them in charge.
Totalitarianism: Direct quote
The article closes by claiming that Totalitarian
leaders ban political opposition. They regulate what
industries and farms produce. They suppress
individual freedom, dictating what people should
believe and with whom they may interact.
Paragraph 5: Student Response
This information made clear to me that dictators are
different from absolute monarchs because a dictator
takes power through force, not by family inheritance.
Sometimes, officials will put a dictator in charge.
Paragraphs 6, 7, & 8: Student Response
Reading this made me realize that not only do the
people have no power, but they have no freedom to
make choices. This reminds me of the dystopian
classic, The Giver by Lois Lowry.