How to write a critical response

1. How to write a critical response

2. What is the purpose of a critical response? • To present a personal view on a text, such as a film, book, a piece of artwork etc.

3. Layout of a critical response 1. Introduction – this is where you introduce to the reader (me, an English teacher) what you will be writing about. Look at your essay topic. What is it? What will you try to show in your essay? 2-4. PEE Paragraphs 5. Conclusion

4. The Introduction This is where you introduce to the reader what you will be writing about. Look at your essay topic. What is it? What will you try to show in your essay? What 3 things will I discuss in my essay?

5. The Introduction So I can start with this: Family is important in the novel ‘Rice Without Rain.’ Jinda learns many lessons from her family and they are very supportive of her, even though they have their own problems. What will I write next? I will focus on Dao’s relationship with Jinda, Inthorn as a good father and how Jinda’s grandmother teachers her to be a good person.

6. The Introduction • Now take a few minutes to write your own introduction. • Remember, it shouldn’t be long, but it should explain what you are going to talk about in your essay!

7. Layout of a critical response 1. Introduction – this is where you introduce to the reader what you will be writing about. Look at your essay topic. What is it? What will you try to show in your essay? 2-4. PEE Paragraphs – you should have 3 main areas to focus on, making 3 arguments or 3 PEE paragraphs.

8. 2-4 PEE Paragraphs My plan would look something like this: PEE 1 – Dao’s relationship with Jinda – at the beginning they are very close, but as the novel progresses, Dao deserts her family for Dusit. This causes a strain on their relationship. PEE 2 – Inthorn is a good father to Jinda. PEE 3 – Jinda’s grandmother is loving and supportive. She is sensible, strong and trusting. I think she teaches Jinda how to be a good person. But what does PEE stand for? Why do we use PEE?

9. PEE Step # 1 Point: This is what you want to say. Step # 2 Next, you need some Evidence or a quote from the text Step # 3 Explore & Explain your Evidence. POINT EVIDENCE EXPLAIN / EXPLORE

10. Writing Good PEE Paragraphs Step # 1 Point: This is what you want to say. For example: Jinda and Dao are not always close. At the beginning, they are kind to each other and carefree at the stream. But after the death of Dao’s baby, Oi, their relationship becomes strained. Dao blames Jinda’s new friend Sri for the death of her baby and this causes problems for Jinda. See how this links up to my plan? Step # 2 Next, you need some Evidence! ‘You didn’t help him. You killed him, and you know it!’ (p51) Step # 3 Explore & Explain your Evidence. For example: Poor Dao is so upset that she could not see her child was starving. Her sadness causes her to lash out at Sri and Jinda. This is when another quote is needed to add further detail and exploration! Does this explanation link or explain the point?

11. Poor Dao is so upset that she could not see her child was starving. Her sadness causes her to lash out at Sri and Jinda. ‘You didn’t help him. You killed him, and you know it!’ (p51) Jinda and Dao have a complex relationship. At the beginning, they are kind to each other and carefree at the stream. But after the death of Dao’s baby, Oi, their relationship becomes strained. Dao blames Jinda’s new friend Sri for the death of her baby. Luckily, Jinda’s grandmother recognizes the problem and gives Jinda some good advice: ‘Go after her, child…Your sister is without mother, and now without child. You’re the one closest to her now’ (p51)

12. Explain / Explore – the hardest part! ‘Go after her, child…Your sister is without mother, and now without child. You’re the one closest to her now’ (p51)

13. This is more like a PEE + EE isn’t it? Poor Dao is so upset that she could not see her child was starving. Her sadness causes her to lash out at Sri and Jinda. ‘You didn’t help him. You killed him, and you know it!’ (p51) Jinda and Dao have a complex relationship. At the beginning, they are kind to each other and carefree at the stream. But after the death of Dao’s baby, Oi, their relationship becomes strained. Dao blames Jinda’s new friend Sri for the death of her baby. Luckily, Jinda’s grandmother recognizes the problem and gives Jinda some good advice: ‘Go after her, child…Your sister is without mother, and now without child. You’re the one closest to her now’ (p51) Jinda comforts her sister and re-establishes their close connection. By spending some time with Dao, and listening to her, Jinda is able to understand where she is coming from as a mother and show her that she cares about her sister. This is a warm moment between the two sisters, which is later contrasted when Jinda finds out about Dao’s secret relationship with Dusit. Which parts are retelling the story? Which parts are offering some explanation or analysis?

14. Writing your PEE Paragraphs • Don’t be afraid to use a quote (evidence) and explain it, then add on another quote and explanation. This is how top students work. • Make sure that your evidence and explanation relate to your point. • Try to use a range of -> • Be sure to use “quotation” marks so I know exactly what you’ve borrowed from the text!

15. Layout of a critical response 1. Introduction – this is where you introduce to the reader what you will be writing about. Look at your essay topic. What is it? What will you try to show in your essay? 2-4. PEE Paragraphs – you should have 3 main areas to focus on, making 3 arguments or 3 main paragraphs. 5. Conclusion - this is where you sum up your main ideas (without repeating yourself). You want to draw a conclusion over the whole essay so that your reader knows exactly how your evidence was used to back up your points.