1. Writing a Response to Literature Essay

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

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

4. 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

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

9. 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.