1. Essay Assignment 2 Literary Response Writing Due: Thursday, November 17, 2011
Introduction
For this assignment you will respond to specific characteristics of the story, The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros. This unit has been designed to develop students' reading, writing, thinking, listening and speaking skills through exercises and activities related to The House on Mango Street. Therefore, students have a strong foundation on which to write an analysis of the story. Below are three different prompts for students to choose from telling you exactly what the prompt requires.

2. Character Analysis
In a well-developed essay, analyze Esperanza in The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros. Does Esperanza grow? How did Esperanza change over the course of the novel? Were these changes for the better? Use specific examples from the story and support your examples with evidence citing the page where you found it.
Plot
In a well-developed essay, analyze the major events in The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros. Do not simply repeat what happens, but by explain why it happens and what point (s) this proves. Which chapter was most important? Explain why? Use specific examples from the story and support your examples with evidence citing the page where you found it.

3. Mood
In a well-developed essay, analyze the mood of The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros. What was the overall mood of the story? Give examples to support your answer. Does the mood of the story change? How does the author show this? What words does the author use to create the atmosphere of the book? Support your examples with evidence citing the page where you found it.

4. The following Header is required
Guidelines: Your essay should be typed at least 2 pages double-spaced Times New Roman, 12pt font.
The following Header is required
Name
English 1, Period
Mr. Purdie
Title of your essay
You will be evaluated on The Six Traits of Effective Writing. The following are descriptions of the six traits. See the back for the grading rubric.
Ideas/Content
Organization
Voice
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Conventions
Remember your assignment is due Thursday, November 17, 2011

5. Response to Literature
Main characters usually change throughout the course of a story. In The House on Mango Street, Esperanza is the main characters. And like most stories Esperanza experiences changes. Write an essay that examines how Esperanza changes, what causes these changes, and how does these changes affect the plot of the story.
Study the prompt carefully to determine the specific requirements of your task.

6. Character Analysis
In a well-developed essay, analyze Esperanza in The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros. Does Esperanza grow? How did Esperanza change over the course of the novel? Were these changes for the better? Use specific examples from the story and support your examples with evidence citing the page where you found it.

7. Esperanza trait trait trait trait Chapter and page of proof

9. Plot
In a well-developed essay, analyze the major events in The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros. Do not simply repeat what happens, but by explain why it happens and what point (s) this proves. Which chapter was most important? Explain why? Use specific examples from the story and support your examples with evidence citing the page where you found it.

10. 3. Climax 4. Falling Action 2. Rising action 5. Resolution
event
4. Falling Action
event
2. Rising action
event
5. Resolution
1. Exposition

11. A major conflict is introduced when . . .

12. The climax occurs when . . .

13. Mood
In a well-developed essay, analyze the mood of The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros. What was the overall mood of the story? Give examples to support your answer. Does the mood of the story change? How does the author show this? What words does the author use to create the atmosphere of the book? Support your examples with evidence citing the page where you found it.

14. The mood of The House on Mango Street can be described as ___________ .
One example that supports this is . . .
A second example that supports this is . . .
A third example that supports this is . . .
A fourth example that supports this is . . .
Words from the text
List the details, such as words used by characters, and descriptions of feelings, people, places, and things
Analysis
This example shows that . . .

15. Planning your response
After selecting a literary work, write down details and observations that will help you develop your response. Creating a chart based on the writing prompt may help you maintain your focus.
Writing Prompt
Your Notes
How character changes
What causes changes
How changes affect plot

16. Planning your response
Use your notes to write a thesis statement that identifies the focus and main idea of your response.
Also, use your notes to develop key points in support of your thesis statement. These key points are observations and inferences about the story and the literary elements within the story. To maintain credibility, each of your key points must be supported with details from the story.

17. Planning your response
Here is an example of a thesis statement, a key point, and the support for the key point:
Thesis Statement: Esperanza is a young Mexican-American girl who struggles with her feelings of loneliness throughout the story, never actually overcomes her shame at being poor.
Key Point: Esperanza feels humiliated about where she lives and even cries when people make fun of where she lives.
Support: Esperanza begs her mom to let her eat lunch at school. Her mom writes her a note, but the Sister Superior doesn't want to let Esperanza stay, saying that she lives too close. When she assumes that Esperanza lives in a run-down tenement building

18. Responding to the prompt
Before you begin writing, remember these guidelines for writing literary responses:
Literary responses should have a formal tone. Avoid first-person pronouns and conversational language.
Assume that the audience is familiar with the story. Therefore, general summaries of the plot are not necessary.
Use the literary present tense when referring to story details. (Treat story events as if they are happening in the present time.)

19. Responding to the prompt
In your introduction, state the title of the work and the author’s name. Include a thesis statement that gives the main idea of your response.

20. Responding to the prompt
In each body paragraph, provide a key point, along with the story details that support this key point. Be sure to explain how the details support the point.

21. Responding to the prompt
In your conclusion, restate your thesis and summarize your key points.

22. Improving your response
Always read through your work to proofread it for errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. If you need to make corrections, be sure that your handwriting is neat and legible.

23. Improving your response
Before turning in your response, read through it one more time to catch lingering errors.
Also, look for any instances of informal language.
Taking the time for one final review ensures that you are turning in your best work.