Writing your Response to
Literature Essay
English 9
Honors
January 2011
Writing Applications 2.2
Write Responses to Literature:
 Demonstrate a
comprehensive grasp of the
significant ideas of literary works.
 Support important ideas and viewpoints through
accurate and detailed references to the text or to
other works.
 Demonstrate awareness of the author's use of
stylistic devices and an appreciation of the effects
created.
 Identify and assess the impact of perceived
ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the
text.
What is a Response to
Literature?
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Your purpose in a response to literature essay is to analyze
(break down) characters and/or literary devices, and interpret
the meaning of a piece of literature.
Usually, it focuses on one passage or one element (like a
literary device or character) in a piece of literature.
It is not a summary of the piece of literature
Let me make myself really clear:
 IT IS NOT A SUMMARY OF THE PIECE OF
LITERATURE!!!!!
Organization of Your Essay
 Introduction (hook, TAG, thesis)
 Body Paragraphs
 Reason #1 (to support your thesis statement)
should include a quotation from the piece of literature
 Reason #2 (to support your thesis statement)
(should include a quotation from the piece of literature)
 Reason #3(to support your thesis statement)
(should include a quotation from the piece of literature)
 Conclusion
 Rephrase Thesis Statement
 Wrap up your thoughts
 If you feel confident enough, say something deep about the
literature
Framing Your Essay
Introduction
Body
Paragraphs (3)
Conclusion
The Introduction Paragraph
 Brings
the reader into your essay
 Introduces your ideas to the reader
 Gives the reader reasons to continue
reading the essay
 Should be 4-5 sentences
Your Introduction Should
Include:A Thesis Statement
The thesis statement must
include:
Topic-characters,
symbols
Statement-Your Opinion
or assertion about the topic
Reason- reasoning
behind your assertion
Example:
The tunnel symbolizes
Jerry’s transition from
childhood to adulthood
through a challenge to be
overcome.
Function:
The Thesis Statements anchors
your essay to one big idea.
Your Introduction Should
Include:
A Hook
Kinds of Hooks:
Quotation (related to topic)
Example: When Jewish
Anecdote(related to topic) children come of age, they
participate in a bat mitzvah
Rhetorical Question
or a bar mitzvah when they
(related to topic)
turn thirteen. This signals
Surprising Fact (related to
to friends and family that
topic)
they are ready to take
Ancient Words of Wisdom
responsibility for their
(related to topic)
religious rituals, laws and
Definition (related to topic)
traditions.
Which kind of hook is used?
Your Introduction Should
Include:
A TAG
Function of TAG:
Title-Author-Genre
Example: In the short
story, “Through the
Tunnel,” Doris Lessing
uses symbols to describe
a little boys rite of
passage.
The TAG contexualizes
your ideas into certain
arenas; the TAG tells your
reader what you are
referring to.
3 Body Paragraphs that support
your Thesis Statement
Each paragraph should:
 Support the thesis statement
 Include a topic sentence to introduce the idea
 Have at least one sentence with evidence (paraphrased
part of the story or quotation; a quotation is always
better)
 Analyze the quotation and interpret the meaning of the
quotation in minimum of 3 sentences
 Be at least 6 sentences in length- 10 would be great if
you can stay on topic and not add fluff!!
 Have a concluding sentence
 Support the thesis statement/ stay on topic/be connected
to the main idea of your essay (your thesis statement)
etc…can I make myself more clear?
How to Quote Literature
 Use a lead in
 Jerry says that...
 Lessing describes Jerry as…
 In his mind, Jerry thinks…
 Put the quote in quotation marks
 Note the author and page number (author #)
 Put a period after the parenthesis (author #).
 Special Note: A quote does not have to be dialogue, it’s just actual
text from the piece of literature
 Example:
 Jerry decides that “he must find his way through that cave, or
hole or tunnel, and out the other side” (Lessing 405).
Example Body Paragraph
One way the tunnel symbolizes the challenge that
will allow him to transition from childhood to adulthood is
through the determination that Jerry has to accomplish
his goal. Jerry decides that “he must find his way
through that cave, or hole or tunnel, and out the other
side” (Lessing 405). There is no doubt in Jerry’s mind;
he feels that he must get through the tunnel. He doesn’t
mention trying to impress anyone, so his motivation is
only for himself. He has set a goal and determines to
accomplish that goal. The next day, Jerry goes on to
“exercise his whole lungs as if everything, the whole of
his life, all that he would become, depended upon it”
(Lessing 405). In his determination, he throws himself
completely at his goal of swimming through the tunnel.
As a child, he would only be playing around in the water,
but the challenge of meeting a goal that he made for
himself shows his desire to take himself more seriously.
This determination to complete the goal symbolizes the
The Conclusion Paragraph…
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pulls all of your ideas
together-revisit the Hook.
subtly rephrases your
Thesis Statement in a
more insightful way.
brings resolution to the
examples you have used
to support your Thesis
Statement.
should be 4-5 sentences.
Your Conclusion Should
Include:
…a revisiting of your hook
When Jewish children
come of age, they
participate in a bat
mitzvah or a bar mitzvah
when they turn thirteen.
This signals to friends and
family that they are ready
to take responsibility for
their religious rituals, laws
and traditions.
Just like Jewish children
become responsible for their
religious standards after their
bar and bat mitvahs, Jerry
becomes responsible for
achieving his own goal for
himself that he created.
Function: Revisiting the Hook
bring continuity and “frame” of
reference to the end of the
essay that was established at
the beginning.
Your Conclusion Should
Include:
…resolution
Example:
Jerry is not an adult at the
end of the story, but has
begun his journey toward
adulthood by achieving
his goal of swimming
through the tunnel- a goal
that he made for himself
and decided by himself to
achieve.
Function: The
resolution reminds
readers of the
purpose for your
essay and leaves
the reader with an
important idea
about your topic.
Your Conclusion Should
Include:
…a subtle rephrasing of the Thesis
Statement
The tunnel symbolizes
Jerry’s transition from
childhood to adulthood
through a challenge to be
overcome.
Jerry sees the tunnel as a
symbol for his transition
from childhood to
adulthood through the
determination he brings to
his goal.
Function: The rephrasing summarizes the new
understanding of the topic based on evidence provided in the
essay.
Color-Coding for
Response to Literature Writing
Thesis/Topic Sentences – They are like bricks – providing
the foundation or structure for the essay.
Plot Summary – Retelling or restating important events
from the literature. *It’s like the sun – providing light,
helping the reader to see what it is you are talking about.
Supporting Detail – Quotes from the literature to back up
your commentary. *They are like the roots or the
branches of plants providing support.
Commentary – your opinions, interpretations, analysis
which develop your claims about the literature. *It’s like
the sky or the sea – providing depth to the essay.