"A book, too, can be a star, 'explosive material, capable of stirring up fresh life endlessly,' a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe." - from Madeleine L'Engle's Newberry Medal Acceptance Speech

Thursday, September 11, 2014

812 Notes

Grace's RR:


  • briefly summarizes what the book is about; focuses on most important parts of the book that relate to the focus
  • relates to the readers in 1st sentence: "Everyone has fears"
  • clear theme and elaboration
  • theme/focus: the character Isabel's weaknesses/difficulties and how she overcomes them 
  • describes character in relatable way
  • identifies and elaborates on character's important relationships with other characters (ex. Grace)
  • - focuses on main character and right away describes emotions, traits
  • - word choice is specific
  • - clear transitions between paragraphs
  • - picked a good character to write about; someone unique
  • elaborate: explain the reason, give textual evidence and quotations, explain how character is affected
  • have a hook in your intro - begin intro by stating a universal statement that all readers can relate to
Cassius's RR
  • focus is on theme rather than character 
  • gives background on war/setting
  • gives opinions and strong feelings about the character 
  • ideas for writing: relate to the character; put yourself in his/her shoes
  • in last paragraph/conclusion, writer described his emotions and opinions about the theme
  • brings together his overall view of the text
  • contrasting ideas
  • "I" - very personal 
  • think beyond the story itself; relate it to the world 

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