Writing a Response to Literature Essay

Purpose: To explain and persuade the reader Analyze an authors point of view Use text as evidence when proving a thesis

Requirements: What should it look like? Introduction: Thesis statement according to the prompt Title and author Brief plot summary

Requirements: What should it look like? Body: Justify your interpretation of the author's message by giving examples and evidence from the text Give your insights into the characters and the meaning of the story

Requirements: What should it look like? Conclusion: Summarize the author's message and what you learned from the story

Major Hints! Include topic sentences (TS) for each main body paragraph. Find concrete details (CD) that directly support your thesis, including direct quotes (“ ”) from the story.

Major Hints! Include some commentary (CM) sentences that explains each concrete detail and supports your thesis. Don’t forget your concluding sentences (CS) that gives each paragraph a finished fell.

Big Hint!!! The Response to Literature essay is analytical –not personal!

Basic Elements for Analysis (what to look for when analyzing) Setting—in terms of how it impacts character and events Plot—in terms of cause and effect Character—traits, actions, motivation Theme—what do the characters and events in the story tell the reader that is important to learn about life.