1. BREAKING DOWN A READING RESPONSE
A Tale of Two Cities

2. PARAGRAPH 1 of 3
Paragraph 1: Name and the most thought- provoking part of the book for you so far and describe with examples from the text
In the first four chapters of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, the most thought-provoking part for me so far is the poverty introduced at the beginning of Chapter 1. I find it compelling that the story opens with a description of Saint Antoine as “one of the poorest parts of Paris” with “children who had the faces and sad voices of old men” (page 1). Dickens really makes his point about the poverty when the wine spills in the street and “everyone left whatever they were doing” and ran to try to collect some in their hands (page 1).

3. PARAGRAPH 1 of 3
1. Identify and circle the topic sentence for this paragraph. Is that also the topic sentence for the whole response?
In the first four chapters of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, the most thought-provoking part for me so far is the poverty introduced at the beginning of Chapter 1.
2. What is the purpose of the first paragraph? What is the writer’s goal and how does she accomplish it?
To name the most thought-provoking/interesting part of the book so far for her, and give quotes from the book to prove it exists.
3. What are some phrases the writer uses to introduce the parts of the story with poverty?
I find it compelling that …
Dickens really makes his point about the poverty when …
4. What are her supports for proving that poverty exists in the book: What examples of actual poverty does she pull out?
the story opens with a description of Saint Antoine as “one of the poorest parts of Paris” with “children who had the faces and sad voices of old men” (page 1)
wine spills in the street and “everyone left whatever they were doing” and ran to try to collect some in their hands (page 1).
5. Can you think of any other phrases that might work here?
I find it interesting/intriguing/captivating/fascinating that… (the story opens with…)
I think it’s interesting/intriguing/captivating/fascinating that… (the story opens with…)
It also interests me/moves me/intrigues me that…

4. PARAGRAPH 1 of 3
In the first four chapters of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, the most thought-provoking part for me so far is the poverty introduced at the beginning of Chapter 1. I find it compelling that the story opens with a description of Saint Antoine as “one of the poorest parts of Paris” with “children who had the faces and sad voices of old men” (page 1). Dickens really makes his point about the poverty when the wine spills in the street and “everyone left whatever they were doing” and ran to try to collect some in their hands (page 1).
BOLD=topic sentence
RED=language to introduce/discuss compelling parts
BLUE=supports for topic sentence; proof of existence of poverty in the book

5. PARAGRAPH 2 of 3
Paragraph 2: Explain why you find this part interesting. Link it to your own experience or what you know from history.
I find this interesting because it reminds me of very poor people I knew when I lived in Senegal and South Africa and the desperation that they feel. If people are poor enough, they can be ready to do anything, like the wine example shows. In Chapter 3, Dickens introduces Sydney Carton as a “carelessly dressed man” and perhaps that means he is also poor. It occurs to me that I don’t think we know if Lucie and Dr. Manette are wealthy or poor, but I don’t think they are as poor as the people on page 1. I think the book is more intriguing with this element of poor people because it makes it more realistic. I think the story would be boring if it was all about wealthier people.

6. PARAGRAPH 2 of 3
Identify and circle the topic sentence for this paragraph.
2. What is the purpose of the second paragraph? What is the writer’s goal and how does she accomplish it?
3. What are some phrases the writer uses to introduce and discuss WHY she finds the parts with poverty interesting?
4. What are her supports: Why DOES she the poverty interesting?
5. Can you think of any other phrases that might work here?

7. PARAGRAPH 2 of 3
Identify and circle the topic sentence for this paragraph.
I find this interesting because it reminds me of very poor people I knew when I lived in Senegal and South Africa and the desperation that they feel.
2. What is the purpose of the second paragraph? What is the writer’s goal and how does she accomplish it?
To explain why this part is so interesting to the writer based on her experience and/or knowledge or world events. Also consider how the book would be weaker (less realistic, less captivating for readers) without this element of the book.
3. What are some phrases the writer uses to introduce and discuss WHY she finds the parts with poverty interesting?
I find this interesting because …
…like the wine example shows
I think the book is more intriguing with this element of poor people because …
I think the story would be boring if …
4. What are her supports: Why DOES she the poverty interesting?
It reminds me of very poor people I knew when I lived in Senegal and South Africa and the desperation that they feel.
If people are poor enough, they can be ready to do anything,
it makes it more realistic.; the story would be boring if it was all about wealthier people.
5. Can you think of any other phrases that might work here?
I find this intriguing/captivating/fascinating because…
I think this book is stronger with the element/existence of XXXXX because…
I think the story would be less interesting if…

8. PARAGRAPH 2 of 3 BOLD=topic sentence
I find this interesting because it reminds me of very poor people I knew when I lived in Senegal and South Africa and the desperation that they feel. If people are poor enough, they can be ready to do anything, like the wine example shows. In Chapter 3, Dickens introduces Sydney Carton as a “carelessly dressed man” and perhaps that means he is also poor. It occurs to me that I don’t think we know if Lucie and Dr. Manette are wealthy or poor, but I don’t think they are as poor as the people on page 1. I think the book is more intriguing with this element of poor people because it makes it more realistic. I think the story would be boring if it was all about wealthier people.
BOLD=topic sentence
RED=language to introduce/discuss why these parts are interesting to the writer
BLUE=supports for topic sentence; reasons the writer finds the poverty interesting

9. PARAGRAPH 3 of 3
Paragraph 3: Anticipate what will happen next with this part
A Tale of Two Cities takes place during the French Revolution and I wonder if it’s the Revolution that has made people poor and if so, if they will continue to be poor throughout the whole book. I ask myself why Dickens chose to open the book with a scene of poverty; obviously it matters to the story moving forward.

10. PARAGRAPH 3 of 3
Identify and circle the topic sentence for this paragraph.
2. What is the purpose of the third paragraph? What is the writer’s goal and how does she accomplish it?
3. What are some phrases the writer uses to introduce and discuss what she things will happen next?
4. What are her supports: What DOES she think will happen next? Is she specific?
5. Can you think of any other phrases that might work here?

11. PARAGRAPH 3 of 3
Identify and circle the topic sentence for this paragraph.
A Tale of Two Cities takes place during the French Revolution and I wonder if it’s the Revolution that has made people poor and if so, if they will continue to be poor throughout the whole book.
2. What is the purpose of the third paragraph? What is the writer’s goal and how does she accomplish it?
To guess what will happen next on the topic she is writing about (poverty, here).
She examines why Dickens chose to start the book with it and guesses that the poverty will be a significant theme as the book continues.
3. What are some phrases the writer uses to introduce and discuss what she things will happen next?
I wonder if … X… and if so, if …X… throughout the whole book
I ask myself why Dickens chose … X…
obviously it matters to the story moving forward
4. What are her supports: What DOES she think will happen next? Is she specific?
She thinks the French Revolution may be the reason people are poor and asks herself if they will continue to be poor the whole book
She is not specific about what she thinks will happen next with the poverty, but you can be if you have a specific idea.
5. Can you think of any other phrases that might work here?
I anticipate/expect that …X… will happen next because…

12. PARAGRAPH 3 of 3
A Tale of Two Cities takes place during the French Revolution and I wonder if it’s the Revolution that has made people poor and if so, if they will continue to be poor throughout the whole book. I ask myself why Dickens chose to open the book with a scene of poverty; obviously it matters to the story moving forward.
BOLD=topic sentence
RED=language to introduce/discuss what will happen next
BLUE=what the writer anticipates will happen next