Response to Literature

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Response to Literature

• How to develop your critical thinking and
  response to fiction works

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What is a response to literature?

• 1. After reading a selection, the reader
• is asked a question which is known as the
  prompt.
• 2. The reader must write an insightful essay
  with a clear thesis, support, and insight.

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A Response to Literature Essay

• 1. is not a summary or a review.
• 2. shows understanding of the storys themes.

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A Response to Literature Essay

• 3. Involves development of a thesis.
• 4. Requires support
• (summary, explanation, quotes, commentary).
• 5. Requires interpretation of authors purpose
• and message.

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A Response to Literature Essay

• 6. Includes analysis of connection of message
• to ones own life.
• 7. Avoids use of non-formal language
• pronouns, slang, contractions, etc.
• 8. Shows ¼ summary and ¾ interpretation.

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How to Analyze Literature

• 1. Read author information in order to better
  identify authors message and purpose.
• 2. Note plot components while reading.
• 3. Note quoteable quotes that go beyond the
  words.

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How to Analyze Literature

• 4. Brainstorm theme by using Most Important
  Word strategy.
• 5. Summarize the work with
• Somebody wantedbutso. strategy.
• 6. Identify authors purpose, message,
• and connection to readers lives.

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Most Important Word

• 1. It is a theme strategy.
• 2. Brainstorm words that are conceptual from
  story. These are idea nouns that cannot be
  perceived by the senses of sight, sound, touch,
  taste, or smell.

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Some Most Important Words

• Success/Failure Perception
• Loyalty/Disloyalty Self-worth
• Perseverance/Apathy Respect
• Revenge/Forgiveness Survival
• Satisfaction/Discontent
  Leadership/Heroism
• Acceptance/Rejection Love/Hate
• Confidence/Insecurity Sacrifice
• Greed/Generosity
  Optimism/Pessimism
• Friendship/Animosity
  Bravery/Cowardice

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Summarization

• Somebody (main character with brief description)
• Wanted (conflict introduced)
• But (conflict complicated)
• So (start of how character must overcome
  conflict)
• Dont give away the climax or ending!

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Why summarize?

• 1. Remember, we summarize to introduce the
  characters, setting, conflictjust like a movie
  preview!
• 2. That way, we can focus on proving the thesis
  in our essay and not over-summarizing!

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Introduction paragraph

• Title in quotes (story) or underlined (book)
• Authors first and last name
• Summary statement 3-4 sentences
• in the SWBS format
• Thesis Clear, confident answer to prompt

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Body Paragraphs 2, 3, 4

• Begin each with a strong topic sentence.
• Answer the prompt in each topic sentence.
• Provide proof and commentary.
• Clearly explain and connect support back to topic
  sentence.

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Conclusion Be SMART!

• Is the most intelligent, thoughtful paragraph of
  essay.
• Shows insight by identifying authors message and
  purpose for readers.
• Clearly reconnects to restating thesis.

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What is insight?

• You patient
• Author doctor
• Insight medicine or advice
• What advice can a reader apply to his or her
  own life?

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MLA Typed Format

• Double spaced (never single or quadruple)
• Heading your name, teacher name, class, date due
• Size 12 book font in black for entire essayeven
  the title
• Pagination (View, Header, Name, )
• Centered title