1. “ Where is the Love” Written Response
Writing Feedback
“ Where is the Love” Written Response

2. 1. Annotate Mark-up passage Highlight Circle Ask questions
Write out to the side
Put in own words
Etc.
Do this when you read anything!

3. 2. Topic Sentence/Thesis: The “A” in ACES: Answer the question
From here on out, use this form for ALL your topic sentences when asked to analyze a passage. This way you know for certain you have answered the question given.
In the ____(poem, book, song, novel, etc)___, “Title of work,” ______(author)_______ uses _____(literary device(s) you will discuss)_____ to show ___(theme – what you think theme of the work is).
Example: In the song, “Where is the Love,” by The Black Eyed Peas, the band uses repetition and symbolism to show that individuals need to love one another to make the world a better place.
*Note: address both components of question: in this case, theme and literary devices

4. 3. USE THIRD PERSON ONLY
Do NOT use 1st or 2nd person (I, me/ you, your) in formal writing.
First person is used for journal entries; second person is used to give advice.
Whenever you are analyzing a literary work, you MUST write in 3rd person.
“I think blah blah blah” = NO --- you want to establish yourself as the authority; saying “I think” does not do this
Go straight into what you are saying
Words to use: individuals, society, mankind, humankind, men, women, people, etc.

5. 4. Theme: What point is the author trying to make. What is the purpose
4. Theme: What point is the author trying to make? What is the purpose? Themes say something about people or society.
A theme statement is NOT simple to create - you have to think
Theme cannot simply be “sadness” or “happiness” (these are words used to describe the mood or tone of a piece)
Themes are NOT plot - they can apply outside of the particular literary work- can
Example: If you think the theme of something is “LOVE…..” You could make a theme statement that says:
“People often mistreat others, but love conquers all.”
“Through trials and tribulations, love from family allows individuals to persevere”
When asked a question about theme, answer with a theme statement like these!

6. 5. Embed Quotes
You cannot let a quote stand alone; you must embed quotes/citations.
They should make grammatical sense in a sentence.
Example: In the song, the line, “Where is the love?” is repeated several times.
IN ACES, this is the “C” - CITE = CITE a QUOTE from the passage
A quote does NOT have to be dialogue
Citing a quote simply means taking something from the passage
After you embed your quote (cite - C), then EXPLAIN, “E”that quote in your own words
What are you explaining? → How that quote Proves your Thesis/Topic Sentence

7. 6. AVOID VAGUE LANGUAGE & PRONOUNS:
Many of you wrote, “It says” ... what is it? the poem? the author? You have the title of the poem and the author, so use them!
NO-NO WORDS:
“get”
“thing”
“it”