Then I discussed how I would like the students to write a rough draft of a response to literature on the written story before we start watching the movies. I know from experience that once I see a movie of a story, I start mixing the two up. I want them to get down how they feel about the story now so they don't forget.
I
have taught the students about some choices the writer made:
· His use of irony to produce humor.
· His vocabulary/word choice.
· The three characters and how they are brought to life
through descriptive words, quotes each says, and things others say about them.
I am
going to reinforce that students need to include specific examples from the
text.
· They could use direct quotes that characters said.
· They could summarize or include a specific incident
from the story
Next week we will have a
regular vocabulary and a quiz Friday.
Response to literature
The Ransom of Red Chief
P1
Start with a focusing statement (focus of critique/connection)
Summarize story to give context for your commentary
Quick summary
of the story
Main conflict
Mention the characters to pique our
interest
Story leads to
theme
P2
Critique the text: Writer’s Craft
Exposition | Characters | Setting | Conflict |
Rising Action | Climax | Resolution | Theme | Flashback | Choice of characters
| Use of dialogue | Use of vocabulary | Use of irony
Critique, explain, example from
text.
Critique,
explain, example from text.
P3
Connections: Explain your reactions to the piece.
Connections: Text-text | Text-self |
Text-world
Connect, explain, example from text.
Connect,
explain, example from text.
Finish with a strong conclusion (You proved your focusing
statement.)
Writer’s craft: Word Choice
For
you as an audience, does the writer’s word choice (in this case vocabulary) add
to or take away from your enjoyment of the piece?
Would
making the words of the story simpler make the story better?
What is the purpose of the
story: P. I. E.?
…get after us with anything
stronger than constables and, maybe, some lackadaisical bloodhounds and
a diatribe or two in the Weekly Farmer’s Budget.
…figured that Ebenezer would
melt down for a ransom of two thousand dollars to the cent.
There was a sylvan
attitude of somnolent sleepiness pervading that section of the …
… we collaborated a
letter that ran this way:
If you attempt any treachery
or fail to comply with our demands…
I… posted my letter surreptitiously
and came away.
Sand ain’t a palatable
substitute.
… we would get the ransom and
be off with it by midnight if old Dorset fell in with our proposition.
I had a scheme for collecting
that ransom without danger of being caught by counterplots that ought to commend
itself to professional kidnappers.
(about the letter) “of all the impudent-“
