Class notes on writing reading responses

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Qualities of Awesome Reading Responses

Topics to write reading responses about:

·         Examples from text – quotations ·         Not too much summary – leave some room for curiosity ·         Summary should help you visualize and understand background of story ·         Self-to-text comparison ·         Writer’s opinion ·         Informative details ·         Get into the characters’ minds ·         Show all characters’ emotions and point of views ·         Explain setting ·         Making inferences that are interesting ·         Opposing ideas or viewpoints ·         Think outside the box ·         Make it interesting and engaging for the readers – audience; write about books that peers like ·         Writing: focus on 1 main idea – don’t wander off – tie ideas together ·         Process: have post-its/notes throughout your book, think about main idea, jot down notes/quotations, questioning, brief outline

·         Compare/contrast: character at beginning and end; 2 different characters; 2 different books; connect book to film; yourself and character; ·         Analyzing foreshadowing and connecting to future events in the text ·         Character: how they are influenced by another character or event, inner feelings, intentions/actions – are they morally good?, relationships, what would you do in their situation, archetypes ·         Symbolism, metaphor, simile ·         Unusual format/structure: ex. Letter format, poetry, etc. ·         Setting ·         Meaningful parts such as the climax/turning point ·         Begin with a thought-provoking question – why/how

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Qualities of really good reading responses:

Topics to write reading responses about:

Include your own voice – what you thought of the book; make it unique to you; include opinions Polished writing – sentences, grammar, spelling are correct Have a clear thesis – main idea/opinion; focus on thesis Semi-summary – include just brief summary/context for reader; don’t just summarize Examples from text/Include quotations and explain quotations afterward Relative details about the story 3 or more paragraphs In the beginning: state title and author and thesis Have a clear, accurate, deep understanding of the text

State a theme and explain it: lessons Include predictions and explain Characters: problems, change, how they solve their problems, emotions, lessons they learned, how they affect other characters, hero’s journey, protagonist and antagonist, personal connections, archetypes   Setting Plot mountain Compare/contrast with another text or your life What you liked/didn’t like about particular aspect of text such as style, character,etc Symbols, signs, metaphor/simile Process: keep going back to the book, brainstorm – chart, web, list quotations, etc., write summary, take notes as you read – post-its or in the book or in nb; make sure you edit and proofread

811

Qualities of really good reading responses:

Topics to write reading responses on:

Vivid, relevant ideas that provide reader with a broad understanding of text Specific opinion/thought about the book that writer focuses on Clearly expressed opinions and thoughts Strong personal connections Specific point or main idea to communicate that is backed up/supported The right balance of summary and background while still making the reader want to read the book – setting, character Highlight important parts of the text Include quotations/evidence and explain how they relate Go deeply into character Writing is specific, thorough Write with your own voice; include your own opinions; make sure it is interesting and engaging for your audience Write a conclusion that sums up main ideas/thoughts Structure – organize your ideas into paragraphs Before you publish – write an outline, drafts, revise, edit

Character – conflict, opinions about them, what you like/dislike about them, how they’re unique, how they change, struggle, archetypes Main purpose or theme of text, lessons Personal reaction How the text relates to another text or the real world or your self Metaphor, symbolism