Transcript Three Skeleton Key

Response to Literature
How to develop your critical
thinking and response to
fiction works
What is a response to literature?
1. After reading a selection, the reader
is asked a question which is known
as the “prompt”.
2. The reader must write an insightful
essay with a clear thesis, support,
and insight.
A Response to Literature Essay:
1. is not a summary or a review.
2. shows understanding of the story’s
themes.
A Response to Literature Essay:
3. Involves development of a thesis.
4. Requires support :
(summary, explanation, quotes, commentary).
5. Requires interpretation of author’s purpose
and message.
A Response to Literature Essay
6. Includes analysis of connection of message
to one’s own life.
7. Avoids use of “non-formal” language:
pronouns, slang, contractions, etc.
8. Shows ¼ summary and ¾ interpretation.
How to Analyze Literature
1. Read author information in order to
better identify author’s message and
purpose.
2. Note plot components while reading.
3. Note “quoteable quotes” that go
beyond the words.
How to Analyze Literature
4. Brainstorm theme by using “Most
Important Word” strategy.
5. Summarize the work with
“Somebody wanted…but…so….” strategy.
6. Identify author’s purpose, message,
and connection to readers’ lives.
Most Important Word
1. It is a theme strategy.
2. Brainstorm words that are
“conceptual” from story. These
are idea nouns that cannot be
perceived by the senses of
sight, sound, touch, taste, or
smell.
Some Most Important Words
Success/Failure
Loyalty/Disloyalty
Perseverance/Apathy
Revenge/Forgiveness
Satisfaction/Discontent
Acceptance/Rejection
Confidence/Insecurity
Greed/Generosity
Friendship/Animosity
Perception
Self-worth
Respect
Survival
Leadership/Heroism
Love/Hate
Sacrifice
Optimism/Pessimism
Bravery/Cowardice
Summarization
Somebody (main character with brief
description)
 Wanted (conflict introduced)
 But (conflict complicated)
 So (start of how character must
overcome conflict)

Don’t give away the climax or ending!
Why summarize?
1. Remember, we summarize to
introduce the characters, setting,
conflict…just like a movie preview!
2. That way, we can focus on proving
the thesis in our essay and not oversummarizing!
Introduction paragraph:

Title in quotes (story) or underlined (book)

Author’s first and last name

Summary statement: 3-4 sentences
in the “SWBS” format

Thesis = Clear, confident answer to prompt
Body Paragraphs: 2, 3, 4

Begin each with a strong topic
sentence.

Answer the prompt in each topic
sentence.

Provide proof and commentary.

Clearly explain and connect support
back to topic sentence.
Conclusion: Be SMART!

Is the most intelligent, thoughtful
paragraph of essay.

Shows insight by identifying author’s
message and purpose for readers.

Clearly reconnects to restating thesis.
What is insight?
You = patient
 Author = doctor
 Insight = medicine or advice

What advice can a reader apply to his
or her own life?
MLA Typed Format
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Double spaced (never single or
quadruple)
Heading: your name, teacher name,
class, date due
Size 12 book font in black for entire
essay…even the title
Pagination (View, Header, Name, #)
Centered title