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Response to Literature

RESPONDING TO LITERATURE

HESS-2014

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Sharing responses to a story . . .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.

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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.

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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

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.

Restates response and provides connection of author’s purpose to readers’ own lives.

Conclusion

BodySupports the response with evidence from the work

Examples fromthe story

Quotations

Commentary

Evidence

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As the READER reads the selection, heOr 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?

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Planning Your Response: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?

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ThemeTheme

• Success/ Failure Respect Revenge• Perseverance/ Apathy Self-Worth

Survival• Loyalty/ Abandonment Confidence

Bravery• Satisfaction/ Discontent Friendship

Discipline• Greed/ Generosity Love Character• Acceptance/ Isolation Sacrifice

Motivation

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Concisely Summarize the PieceConcisely 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?

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A Basic Framework: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?

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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!

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Writing Your Response to Literature1 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.

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Writing Your Response to Literature1 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

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Writing Your Response to Literature2 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.

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Writing Your Response to Literature2 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.

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Writing Your Response to Literature3 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?

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Your Mission: Your Mission: And yes, you will accept it.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?

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Critical LiteracyCritical 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?

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Some things to consider: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?

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Assessment: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???