February 8, 2017
The Prompt:
Writing an Effective
Response to Literature
Essay
Before writing anything, know your
assignment - READ THE PROMPT!
What are you being asked to do?
Response to Literature Writing:
writing that discusses what is of
value in a work of literature.
Literary Response: requires a careful,
critical look at the reading.
How to write an
effective paragraph:
Materials: 1 BLUE pen, 1 RED pen, 1 GREEN pen
*BLUE is for topic sentences (ts) and
concluding sentences (cs).
*RED is for concrete details (cd).
*GREEN is for commentary (cm).
Example Topic Sentence (ts):
In the fairytale "Cinderella", the main
character feels mistreated.
Step One: Topic Sentence
A Topic Sentence (ts)
is like the top bun of
a hamburger.
*It's the 1st sentence in a paragraph.
*It shows the main idea.
*It is usually mildly controversial something you must prove.
Step Two: Context
Context lets your
reader know where
your support will be
coming from.
*Lead your reader to the scene or section of
the text you will be using.
*Lead into your quote.
February 8, 2017
Example Context:
When Cinderella's dad died, she was
forced to live with her stepmother and
two step sisters.
Step Three: Concrete Details
Concrete Details (cd)
are like the meat of a
hamburger.
*CDs come from the text like FACTS, QUOTES,
& EXAMPLES. (Make sure to include page numbers!)
*CDs can't be argued with. They are
EVIDENCE that support your point.
Example Concrete Detail (cd):
Now, Cinderella must do all of the
cooking and cleaning for her family.
Step Four: Commentary
Commentary (cm) is
all the extras on a
hamburger - they
enhance its flavor.
*This is the stuff from INSIDE your head.
*May be referred to as analysis/interpreting/
inference/insight/elaboration/commentary.
*Must be YOUR words and answer the question
"so what?"
*Usually 2 cm to every cd (1:2).
Example Commentary (cm):
These chores keep her isolated
and friendless. Her stepmother is
then able to give Cinderella
more work, which prevents her
from going to the ball.
Step Five: Concluding Sentence
A Concluding Sentence
(cs) is like the bottom
bun on a hamburger.
*It wraps up the paragraph.
*It rephrases the main idea.
*It should NOT be identical to the topic sentence.
February 8, 2017
Example Concluding Sentence (cs):
Therefore, poor Cinderella feels
abused by the very people who
are supposed to love her.
Your Turn:
Discuss how the SETTING influences
the MOOD in the graveyard scene.
Ex: Mark Twain uses descriptive
language to establish mood in the
graveyard scene.
Putting it all together:
In the fairytale "Cinderella", the main
character feels mistreated. When Cinderella's
dad died, she was forced to live with her
stepmother and two step sisters. Now,
Cinderella must do all of the cooking and
cleaning for her family. These chores keep
her isolated and friendless. Her stepmother is
then able to give Cinderella more work,
which prevents her from going to the ball.
Therefore, poor Cinderella feels abused by
the very people who are supposed to love
her.