Response to Literature Literature naturally stirs up thoughts and feelings. One way to explore those thoughts is to write a response to literature.

When you write a response to literature you show that you have read the entire passage/story and you completely understand the text. An effective literary response essay IS NOT just a summary of what happened in the story. An effective literary response essay must include specific examples of significant ideas, themes, or literary devices that are ANALYZED to show deep understanding of the text. Response to Literature

In a response to literature, you can share your interpretation of a piece of literature. You may include –your feelings about a character –your impressions of the story –any similarities and differences the story might have to your own life

Character Analysis A character sketch focuses on describing an important character. When you write a character sketch, do the following: –Describe the character's appearance. –Describe the character's personality, strengths, weaknesses, and goals. –Show how the character changes during the story. NAME Age/Appearance Personality Strengths Weaknesses Goals Other Details

Theme Analysis A theme analysis focuses on the message the author is sharing about life. When you write a theme analysis, do the following: –Focus on how the conflict reveals the theme, or message. –Show what the characters learn during the story. –Reflect on what the author feels about the characters and conflict. TITLE Main Character Goals Main Conflict Main Theme Beginning of Theme Development of Theme Climax of Theme Resolution of Theme

Organize – Response to Lit Introductory Paragraph – hook, TAG, thesis statement Start with a broad connection to the topic and then hone in on your point (thesis). Body Paragraphs – 1.Brief plot summary, end with connection to thesis 2.Support thesis – commentary, explanation of details/examples, connections 3.Support thesis – commentary, explanation of details/examples, connections Concluding Paragraph – Echo your thesis without repeating words verbatim. –Then, broaden from the thesis to answer the “so what?” question for your reader. –Reflect on how your topic relates to the book as a whole, give your opinion of the novel’s significance, or connect back to your creative opening.

Intro – Response to Lit Hook (creative opening) –A startling fact or bit of information –A snatch of dialogue between two characters –A meaningful quotation (from the work or another source) –A universal idea –A rich, vivid description of the setting –An analogy or metaphor TAG - mention the title, author, and genre (novel, short story, poem, play.) Thesis Statement - a statement that provides the subject and overall opinion of your essay. Many thesis statements explicitly outline the major points of the body paragraphs.

Body – Response to Lit Body - the support paragraphs of your essay. These paragraphs contain supporting examples (concrete detail) and analysis/explanation (commentary) for your topic sentences. 1.Begin with a topic sentence which supports the thesis statement from the introductory paragraph. Be sure to include: 2.Concrete details (quoted passages or paraphrased facts from the story) 3.Commentary -- interpretation/elaboration 4.Concluding sentence -- to sum up or transition to the next paragraph

Conclusion – Response to Lit Concluding Paragraph –Echo your major thesis without repeating words verbatim. –Then, broaden from the thesis to answer the “so what?” question for your reader. –Reflect on how your topic relates to the book as a whole, give your opinion of the novel’s significance, or connect back to your creative opening.