Open-ended Responses & Literature Analysis

1. Open-ended Responses& Literature Analysis • Each bullet should be answered in its own paragraph • You need an introduction to your topic! Include the following: • Author’s name • Title of novel, story, article, poem, etc. • Genre • Words from the question • Thesis statement • The thesis statement is the sentence in which you tell what you plan to discuss or prove in your writing. • When you restate the question, you are also writing your thesis statement. • Example: In her science fiction novel The Giver, Lois Lowry creates a dystopian society from which the main character, Jonas, must escape.

2. Open-ended Responses & Literature Analysis • Your thesis statement needs to be supported using textual evidence • Use at least two examples from the text • Examples must be explained—show how the example supports your thesis. This means discuss the significance of your point/example/quotation. • Use quotations whenever possible to support your ideas. • Format quote properly: • Jonas states on page 126 of the text, “I liked the feeling of love.” • Jonas states, “I liked the feeling of love” (p. 126). Always refer back to the main point you are trying to make!

3. Open-ended Responses & Literature Analysis • Each paragraph must have a concluding sentence or statement. • It may help you to summarize by repeating the author’s name and title of the text. • Leave the reader with something to think about without being too obvious. • Use transitional words and phrases. • Do NOT refer to yourself in literary writing unless you are asked to give a personal connection. • Do not write as though you are speaking to the reader; never use the word “YOU” • Avoid pronouns in general! • Write in the present tense • Use literature terms when possible