Response to Literature Essay – Zebra by Chaim Potok
Paragraph 1 should contain …
A “hook” or attention-grabber as the first sentence (It should relate to your response)
A sentence which gives the title of the story and its author
A 2- or 3-sentence summary of the basic plot of the story
A focused overall response to the story
Personal experience that supports the response
Paragraph 2 should …
Further support your response with evidence from the story
Include a quote or two (MUST be accurately copied) to bring the story to life for the reader)
Bring in personal experience to support your response
Show some understanding of the character
Paragraph 3 should …
Include further evidence from the story to support your response
More personal experience that relates to the evidence and your response
Paragraph 4 should …
Relate another example from the story to support your response
Interpret (explain or make inferences about) the character’s behavior
Relate the story to your own life
Period 5 should …
Conclude with a general observation that ties to your response
State a lesson that was learned from the story that you can apply to your own life