Response to Literature

Mr. Lamar

State Standards

2.2 Write responses to literature:

a. Demonstrate a comprehensive

grasp of the significant ideas of

literary works.

What is the author saying? Why is it important?

b. Support important ideas and viewpoints through accurate and detailed references to the text or to other works.

How do you know what the author’s ideas are? Can you quote it?

c. Demonstrate awareness of the

author's use of stylistic devices and

an appreciation of the effects

created.

Figurative language? Symbolism? Imagery? setting? Give examples.

d. Identify and assess the impact of

perceived ambiguities, nuances,

and complexities within the text.

Authors generally want to make you think about something in their writing. What is it? Is it confusing? Question what is written. No “right” answer here.

Poems…a little different from stories.

Remember the poet is trying to “tell” you something in as few words as possible

Poems generally have more figurative language

Words that are used usually have multiple meanings and are specifically chosen

Question

When given an essay prompt, what should you read first? Select 1 or 2:

the poem/story

the prompt

The PROMPT!!!

That way, you will pay more attention to the details you will need for your essay.

Prompt

The poem, Mother to Son, offers advice from one generation to another. What important lesson is the mother teaching her son? How does the mother use metaphors to explain her perspective on life?

Mother to Son by Langston Hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.It's had tacks in it,And splinters,And boards torn up,And places with no carpet on the floor—Bare.But all the time I'se been a-climbin' on,And reachin' landin's,And turnin' corners,And sometimes goin' in the darkWhere there ain't been no light.So, boy, don't you turn back.Don't you set down on the steps.'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.Don't you fall now—For I'se still goin', honey,I'se still climbin',And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Looking at the prompt…

Read the prompt again.What 2 questions MUSTMUST you answer?Write in the answers on your worksheet.

1.What important lesson is the mother teaching her son?

2. How does the mother use metaphors to explain her perspective on life?

Also mention in essay…

Speaker: who is she?

Setting: is it important to this poem?

Tone: how does the speaker feel about the son?

Mood: what feeling do you get from this poem?

Create a Thinking Map

Organize your ideas into a thinking map of your choice

I suggest a tree map or bubble map

Introductory Paragraph

Intro Paragraph

Order of Intro paragraph:

1. Hook (1-2 sentences)

2. Context (1-2 sentences)

3. Thesis (1 sentence summary

of your entire essay)

The Hook

Attempts to get the reader’s attention

QuestionStatementSong lyricsInteresting facts

Write your hook in the intro paragraph box on your worksheet

Context

Context is background information that tells the reader the name of the story, who the character(s) is/are, where the story takes place, etc.

You MUST include the title of the poem and author’s name in the context

This is also where you include the speaker, setting, tone, and mood.

Write the context sentences on your worksheet.

thesis

a THESIS STATEMENT is just a ONE sentence summary of your entire essay

The easiest way to write the thesis statement lists the 3 reasons for your body paragraphs:

For example: I like dogs because they are friendly, smart, and protect their owners.

Write your thesis statement on your worksheet. Remember to revise your thesis statement if you change your body paragraphs.

Body Paragraph

transitions

First, second, thirdFirst, next, lastFurthermoreMoreoverIn conclusionAlsoIn addition

1. Topic Sentence

2. Explain*

3. Quote/Example*

4. Mini-Conclusion*you can change the order of 2 & 3

Topic Sentence

Tells the reader what that paragraph is about

Quote/Example

This is where you either mention a quote that helps to explain your topic sentence or explain further why you believe your reason(s) mentioned in your topic sentence.

How to cite your quote

When you quote lines directly from the poem, you need to put it in quotation marks AND after the quote, you must put the line number in parentheses.

Example: “and places with no carpet on the floor” (line 6)

Also…

Your quote must be embedded in a sentence with you own words

Example Hughes states that the stair has “places with no carpet on the floor” (line 6).

Explain

write a sentence explaining your quote or example

Mini-Conclusion

This is the conclusion for a single paragraph only.

Conclusion Paragraph

Part 1

Re-write your thesis to sound like a conclusion

Typically 1 sentence

Part 2

Re-phrase some of your mini-conclusions to remind readers of your conclusions

Could be 1-3 sentences

Part 3

Offer something new or relate a part of the essay to the readers life or universal idea

Final Information

Due Date

Essay is due on

Mon., March 12th

You will have limited class time to work on the essay so you will have to work on it at home

Must be typed12 point fontTimes Roman/Times New Roman or ArialDouble spaced1” borders

Failure to follow above guidelines will result in a lower grade

To receive full credit, turn in:

1. Final draft of essay

2. Rough draft if essay w/ 2 student signatures

3. Thinking map outline

4. Worksheet

Flow maps on worksheet due:

Mon. March 5th.

Rough drafts are due Wed. March 7th

Remember…

Essays are Essays are due on Mon. due on Mon. March 12March 12thth..