Maya Angalou

1) An Honest Response to the WritingWrite about how the work made you feel (ex. Angry because… Or joyful because… or confused because…). There is no right or wrong answer here. This section should be an honest and well-developed paragraph which captures your initial response to the piece of writing. 250 words minimum.

2) An Analysis or Close ReadingThis is the part of the discussion post that really begins our critical thinking process. What specific literary devices, other than theme, are being explored in your text of choice? Does something appear symbolic? Are there any metaphors or similes that expand meaning? What details seem relevant? What imagery is at play in the work and how is it significant? You will not find every literary device in every reading. This section of the response is for focusing on literary devices in the text, other than theme, which you will discuss in the Interpretation section (see the link to literary devices provided below). Be sure to pay attention to the form, the title, and the content of the text. Use (cut and paste it into your browser) the following link for possible literary devices to discuss in your Analysis:

https://self-publishingschool.com/literary-devices/

250 words minimum.

3) An InterpretationThis is the part of the response writing that will allow you to pull the clues together and offer a statement on what you think the story is really about? This is where you discuss the main theme or themes of the text of your choice. You will draw from your analysis to provide an argument about the text. What is the main theme (or themes) of this piece of writing? How is this piece of writing significant to American culture? How is this piece of writing significant to the human condition? What is the writer trying to tell us? 250 words minimum.

4) Drawing ConclusionsThis part of the response writing will require that you are incorporating the above process and integrating some direct quotes from the actual work of study to support your findings and interpretations. You must include at least one direct quote from the text in your Conclusion and properly cite it per MLA format. 250 words minimum.