Objective

• [3c] Compose responses to literature clearly expressing a main idea thoroughly developed by relevant supporting details, which are well elaborated and sufficient in number.

Response to Literature Essay

• interprets a thematic idea or a quote from a famous person to express thoughts and draw conclusions.

Response to Literature Essay

• is not:– a discussion about who said the quotation

– repeated restatements of the quotation to make the essay longer

– an explanation of meaning with no connection to examples in the prompt

Response to Literature Essay

• is:– an interpretation of the quotation that

demonstrates a personal understanding

– includes support from personal examples or subjects such as history, science, or literature.

Response to Literature Prompt

• Benjamin Franklin once said, “A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.” Think about this quotation as it relates to the power of words and the impact that words can have on a person’s life. Write an essay for an interested adult explaining your thoughts as they relate to this quotation. Be sure to support your thoughts with specific points and/or examples. You may use points and/or examples based on personal experiences, reading, or observations.

Benjamin Franklin once stated, “A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.” This quote effectively demonstrates the power of words. Words can impact lives in two main ways. They either help or hurt.

Encouraging words are, often, the biggest inspiration one will receive. When people encourage one another, they give each other the power to believe in themselves and the motivation to succeed. Sometimes the only thing one needs is to hear the support of those around him or her. A few simple words can completely alter one’s mentality. Take Winston Churchill’s speech to the British Parliament, during the London Blitz, for example. Churchill declared, “We shall fight them on the beaches, in the hills, on the streets, but we shall never surrender.” These few words of confidence rallied the British people and brought them out of the doom and despair into an otherwise impossible victory. How could these words of enlightenment if left unspoken have changed the course of history? One shudders to think what the world would be today. Often a kind word is the most helpful gift one can give. Encouraging words are a source of light in a world of darkness.

“Words are like bullets, you can’t taken them back.” This popular phrase captures an important truth of life: Words hurt. The dramatic difference a choice of words makes can change a life. As humans, people tend to use cruel and unnecessary words simply because it makes them feel powerful, but their words leave marks that no doctor can take away. A physical bruise or scar eventually fades, but the emotional bruises hurtful words make can leave one scarred for life. Many teens today face bullying as a common problem, but even more harmful is the verbal abuse they endure from their peers. Thousands of teens each year commit suicide because of the degrading words directed towards them at home or at school. In society today it has become acceptable to say what one thinks or feels without taking into consideration how those words will affect the ones around him or her. People refuse to realize how their speech can impact lives in a negative way. Mean and inconsiderate words are always harmful, so people should remember to think before they speak.

In conclusion, words are some of the most powerful but carelessly used tools on earth. One’s words can influence lives in a miraculous or devastating way. The encouragement of one’s words can transform a person like no other. However, the piercing words of people can lead to the ruin of others. Benjamin Franklin understood this all too well and left one with the reminder to watch his or her words, for they either help or harm.

Response to Literature Writing Prompt

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Think about the quotation as it relates to the power of emotions and about the impact emotions can have on a person’s life. Write an essay for an interested adult explaining your thoughts as they relate to the quotation. Be sure to support your thoughts with specific points and/or examples. You may use points and/or examples based on your personal experiences, reading, or observations.

Response to Literature Graphic Organizer

Quotation

Meaning of the Quotation (in your own words)

Connections to Other Personal Areas of Life

self, family, friends

novels, stories,

magazines, etc.

history, science,

etc.