Response Essays

Prose Passage Generally one page excerpt from a work to read and analyze. Determine your ability to read and interpret a sustained piece of literature. Demonstrate your ease and fluency with terminology, interpretation, and criticism. Determine your ability to make connections between analysis and interpretation. Connecting terminology to meaning.

Prose Essay Analyze narrative and literary techniques and other resources of language for characterization. How does a narrator reveal character? Explain the effect of the passage on the reader. How does the passage provide characterization and evaluation of character(s)? Analyze style and tone and how they are used to explore the author’s attitudes toward his or her subject.

Poetry Essay Same as prose but with poetry.

Poetry Essay How does language of the poem reflect the speaker’s perceptions, and how does that language determine the reader’s perception? How does the poet reveal character? Discuss similarities and differences between two poems. Consider style and theme. Contrast the speaker’s views toward a subject in two poems. Refer to form, style and imagery. Discuss how poetic elements such as language, structure, imagery, and point of view convey meaning in a poem.

Free-Response Essay Based on a provocative question that highlights specific insights applicable to a broad range of literary texts. Question provides for varied personal interpretations and multiple approaches. Create specific substance within your own essay.

Free-Response Essay Demonstrate a mature understanding and defense of the prompt. Readers looking for literary insights and awareness of character, comprehension of theme, and ability to transfer specific ideas and details to a universal concept. Reference to plot- not summary!

Free-Response Essay The journey as a major force in a work. What happens to a dream deferred? Transformation (figurative and literal) An ironic reversal in a character’s beliefs or actions. Perception and reality. Ceremony or rituals play an important role.

Working the Prompt Read and re-read. Locate key terms and underline/ circle. Understand what the prompt is asking.

Prompt Often in literature, a literal or figurative journey is a significant factor in the development of a character or the meaning of a work. Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme.

Opening Paragraph Include author and title Address the key ideas of the prompt

Opening Paragraph “There was no possibility of taking a walk that day” says young Jane in Chapter One of Charlotte Bronet’s novel, Jane Eyre. Little did she know that her very existence would evolve from her personal odysey as she journeyed from Gateshead to Lowood to Thornfield and beyond; from childhood to adolescent to woman. This literal and figurative journey enables Bronte to develop both the character and the theme of her work.

Opening Paragraph In the Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad a literal journey from England to Africa becomes a nighmare of realization and epiphany for the main character, Marlowe. Conrad develops his themes through Marlowe’s observations and experiences on his figurative journey from innocence to corruption, idealism to cynicism, and optimism to depair.

The Body Paragraphs Where you present your interpretation and the points you wish to make. Use specific references and details from the chosen work. – Incorporate direct quotations when possible. – Use quotation marks. Use connective tissue in your essay to establish adherence to the question. – Use repetition of key ideas in the prompt and in your opening paragraph. – Try using echo words (synonyms) – Use transitions from one paragraph to the next.