1. What is a Literary Letter?
Often called Lit Letters or LL.
Usually one is due every Friday.
A response to a book you are reading.
Way to think about reading.
Way to see if you understand.

2. Reminders Three to Mrs. Laabs.
Three to peer (anyone you want but mix it up).
Peers must reply. Hand in AFTER reply.
Put in LA in-box.
First one is due NEXT FRIDAY! 9/11/09

3. Grading All Lit Letters will get a 4-3-2 or 1 grade.
However, this quarter only, all grades above a 1 will show as a 4 in the grade book.
If it receives a 1, you will redo it.
This is to allow you to make mistakes while you learn how to write lit letters.
No NHD = 0

4. Save Them!
When returned, IMMEDIATELY, put them in your hanging folder.
We will look at them at the end of the quarter to determine your grade.
Many students lost them last year and were VERY, VERY sad.

5. What a Lit Letter Isn’t
Lit Letters are NOT…
… Summaries
… Book reviews
… Detailed retelling of parts with no connection to you or your thinking.

6. Lit Letters Are
a response to reading.
your thoughts, reactions, interpretations, or questions.
Should show a connection between you and the book.

7. Not Sure What to Write?
 Memories – Does this book remind you of something? What does it make you think or feel? 
Reactions – Do you love/hate/can’t put down this book. Why do you think you feel this way? 
Questions – What is confusing? Do you think you will understand later? What would you change if you were the writer?

8. Hints Don’t worry about being right. Write at least ¾ of a page.
This is your opinion. It can’t be wrong.
Write at least ¾ of a page.
It takes that long to get your brain working.
Ask before making a peer respond.
Help each other – talk about it.