2. 1 Response to Literature RESPONDING TO LITERATURE HESS-2014

3. 2 Sharing responses to a story... From Reading to Writing Stories touch people in different ways. Some readers might like The Hunger Games because they recognize themselves in either Peta or Katniss. Others might like Twilight because they admire Jacob’s loyalty.

4. 3 Sharing responses to a story... Response to Literature In a response to literature essay, the writer shares his/her interpretation of a piece of literature. The analysis may include opinions about a character, impressions of the lessons learned, prediction of the author’s purpose, and/or similarities and differences to one’s own life.

5. 4 In a response to literature essay, the writer shows thoughtful comprehension beyond plot and explains underlying meaning beyond text. The writer develops an analysis of the literary work and includes support and commentary. Response to Literature

6. B a s i c s i n a B o x Response to Literature at a Glance RUBRIC STANDARDS FOR WRITING A successful response to literature should include an introduction that names the literary work and author and clearly states a thesis in response to the prompt provide a concise summary of the literary work contain several points responding to prompt support of points with story facts, quotations, commentary, and analysis summarize the response and provide insight of author’s purpose Introduces the title and author and a clear statement of your response Introduction Restates response and provides connection of author’s purpose to readers’ own lives. Conclusion Body Supports the response with evidence from the work Examples from the story Quotations Commentary Evidence

7. 6 As the READER reads the selection, he Or she should contemplate: What conflict is the character facing? How does the character handle it? How does the character change as a result? What is the author’s purpose—what is the underlying meaning? How can the reader connect the purpose and theme to his or her own life?

8. 7 Planning Your Response: Rereading the story is helpful. Write down any responses to the piece or insights that you have about the theme. Identify your reactions to the story such as sadness, anger, excitement, or curiosity. How did the story make you feel?

9. 8 Theme Success/ FailureRespect Revenge Perseverance/ Apathy Self-Worth Survival Loyalty/ Abandonment Confidence Bravery Satisfaction/ Discontent Friendship Discipline Greed/ Generosity Love Character Acceptance/ Isolation Sacrifice Motivation

10. 9 Concisely Summarize the Piece The essay should be 25% summary and 75% response and analysis. This is NOT a book report! This is an analysis. Consider author’s purpose. What themes are at hand? Why did the author feel compelled to write this piece and share it with the world? What is he trying to say about the human condition?

11. 10 A Basic Framework: SOMEBODY = Identify the author and title. Give the main character and setting. WANTED = Identify what the main character wants BUT = Identify the conflict that the character faces. SO = Identify what the challenges will be THUS = What is the resolution?

12. 11 Writing Your Response to Literature The writer gets to express his or her response to the story. This requires understanding of the story and INSIGHT. Identifying MOST IMPORTANT WORDS and providing a strong SUMMARY STATEMENT guide the writer in developing INSIGHT!

13. 12 Writing Your Response to Literature 1 Drafting THE introduction  Use your introductory paragraph to tell your readers what they need to know about the story and to introduce your response.  Develop a clear thesis regarding the story. This should speak to the theme.

14. 13 Writing Your Response to Literature 1 Drafting THE introduction (cont) Title in quotes (story) or underlined (book) Author’s first and last name You may use the “Magic Formula” for this one, or you may select an organizational strategy of your own. Thesis = Topic Sentence

15. 14 Writing Your Response to Literature 2 Drafting the 3 body paragraphs  Pick your best three ideas as answers to the prompt.  Gather story facts to support your ideas.  Find supporting ideas from the text.  Reference the story, but do not merely summarize. I want YOUR response.

16. 15 Writing Your Response to Literature 2 Drafting the 3 body paragraphs Begin each paragraph with a strong topic sentence. Provide support from the text for your analysis. Clearly explain and connect your support back to your thesis or your topic sentence.

17. 16 Writing Your Response to Literature 3 From the Beginning to the End!  Restate thesis confidently and clearly  Concisely restate points  Show insight in relation to author’s purpose and message to readers. What is the author wanting his or her readers to understand as a result of watching the character handle the conflict?  Identify significance to today’s readers?

18. 17 Your Mission: And yes, you will accept it. Ok, so you are reading “The Tell-Tale Heart”—one of Mrs. Schumacher’s favorite short stories by Edgar Allen Poe. You are to write a one to two-page response to this piece using textual evidence to support your stance. What does the piece mean?

19. 18 Critical Literacy Be a close reader. Read in between the lines. What is Poe’s purpose for writing this story? Remember, authors always have a purpose for writing, or they wouldn’t write! What message about life is he trying to share with his audience? I do not want to rush you through this project. Take your time and analyze this story. What themes emerge?

20. 19 Some things to consider: Remember, this is not a book report. I don’t want a simply summary of the plot. I KNOW the plot. I’ve read this story a million times. What I am looking for is your personal response to the story. Be critical—be analytical. Be a deep thinker. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

21. 20 Assessment: I will be assessing this piece using the eighty-point rubric. DO NOT rush through this one. Take your time and give me a piece of writing with depth and breath. Questions, comments, conundrums???