1. Response to Literature
Lit. Analysis
The Johnstown Flood
by David McCullough

2. Literary Analysis
After reading the short story, “The Johnstown Flood,” by David McCullough, write a multi-paragraph essay in which you identify cause and effect through answering the question: what accounts for Gertrude’s miraculous survival? Explain your interpretation by including concrete detail (facts) from the short story. Add commentary to explain the details you’ve chosen. Be sure to organize your essay around several clear ideas, with an introduction (including a thesis statement), body, and conclusion.

3. To Do: Must Have: Write Identify and discuss Explain
A Multi-paragraph essay
Cause and Effect
Your interpretation
Include
Add
Organize
Concrete details
Commentary
Your essay: introduction, body, conclusion
A thesis statement

4. Introduction
Start with a summary of the story which includes the author’s name, the title of the story, the main character’s name, the setting, the conflict, and any other background information necessary to understand the essay.
Finish with a thesis statement that states the main idea of your essay in a sentence or two.

5. Introductory Paragraph
The main character in David McCullough’s short story “The Johnstown Flood” is a young girl named Gertrude Quinn. One day her father expresses concern over the strength of their local dam after weeks of rain caused the water level to rise. When Gertrude hears the sound of waves coming, she knows that her father’s fears were well-founded. The disaster threatens her life, and she overcomes the obstacles. Gertrude’s survival was based on her own actions and the actions of others. She tried to survive herself (lines ), but she also relied on the help of strangers (lines , , ). Luck played a role as well, in the arrival of a mattress that she uses as a raft (lines ).