Analyzing Literature: You will be analyzing literature until you graduate college! Knowing how to approach an analysis is necessary and helpful!

WHAT IS A RESPONSE TO LITERATURE? An effective literary response essay IS NOT just a summary of what happened in the story; it must include specific examples of significant ideas, themes, or literary devices that are ANALYZED to show the reader’s insight.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A LITERARY RESPONSE?  To demonstrate thoughtful comprehension BEYOND basic plot  To explain the UNDERLYING meaning of the text.

TO SUCCESSFULLY RESPOND TO LITERATURE, THE WRITER MUST … 1.Carefully read and address ALL parts of the writing prompt 2.Create a meaningful and interesting thesis about the text BASED ON THE WRITING TASK 3. Provide TEXTUAL EVIDENCE and EXPLAIN how the details help to SUPPORT the thesis

TO SUCCESSFULLY RESPOND TO LITERATURE, THE WRITER MUST… 4.Draw thoughtful conclusions and global connections about the text 5.Explain how the author’s use of literary devices affect the author’s purpose of the text. 6. Discuss the ambiguities and complexities within the text.

SAMPLE RESPONSE TO LITERATURE PROMPTS Identify what the main character learned as a result of conflict Identify how the main character changed. Explain how the author depicts the character as the person he/she is. Discuss how two characters in the story relate to each other. Determine the author’s purpose or message to the readers.

SAMPLE RESPONSES CONTINUED… Describe the theme of the story and how it relates to people in general. Explain how the events in the story motivated the main character. Explain the significance of the title of the work selected Identify the main character’s strengths and/or weaknesses

7 TYPES OF LITERARY RESPONSE 1.CHARACTERIZATION 2.THEME 3.RELATIONSHIPS 4.MOTIVES 5.CONFLICT 6.SYMBOLISM 7. IRONY

CHARACTERIZATION DEFINITION: Describe how a character reveals certain personality traits. EXAMPLE from The Odyssey: Describe how Odysseus reveals courage and demonstrates leadership in the classic word The Odyssey.

THEME DEFINITION : Explain how specific events relate to the theme. EXAMPLE from Of Mice and Men: Identify one theme of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men and explain how specific events reveal that theme.

RELATIONSHIPS DEFINITION: How characters interact and treat each other in a story. EXAMPLE from Romeo and Juliet: Analyze how Juliet’s relationship with her parents affects her decisions.

MOTIVES DEFINITION: The reasons why a character makes certain decisions. EXAMPLE from Romeo and Juliet: Select one character in the play and explain how his or her decisions affected that character and others.

CONFLICT DEFINITION: External Conflict- a struggle or problem that a character has with an outside force Internal Conflict- a struggle that a character has within oneself EXAMPLE from The Pearl: Explain how the conflict between man and society is illustrated in the story. or Explain how Kino’s internal struggle about keeping the pearl affects his relationship with Juana.

SYMBOLISM DEFINITION: When an object represents, or stands for some abstract idea Example from The Pearl: Explain what the pearl symbolizes when Kino first discovers it. How has its meaning changed at the end of the story?

IRONY DEFINITION: VERBAL Irony- a contrast between what is said and what is meant (sarcasm) SITUATIONAL Irony- a contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens Example from The Pearl: Explain how Kino’s decision to throw the pearl back into the ocean at the end of the story is ironic. Explain how the use of irony enriches the story and its message.

LITERARY RESPONSE FORMAT INTRODUCTION Title of text, author, and brief summary statement Thesis BODY PARAGRAPHS Must support thesis Provide quotes and commentary CONCLUSION Restate thesis Lesson learned, author’s purpose, message for readers