Name: ______________________________ Date: _________

Section: ______________

ORGANIZING A RESPONSE ESSAY

(PRE-WRITING)

INTRODUCTION

A. The Hook

 It is composed of an introductory sentence or sentences, which may be in the form of:

A question: ________________________________________________________

A quotation: _______________________________________________________

 Reference to a character or event in the story _____________________________

_________________________________________________________________

B. Title of the story and the author

 Both the title of the story about which you are writing and its author should be identified. Sometimes the

title and the author are included in the thesis statement.

_________________________________________________________________

C. A short description of the story

_________________________________________________________________

D. Clear thesis statement

 It should focus on the overall ideas about an element of the story. Write a sentence expressing the main

point you want to emphasize to the analysis

_________________________________________________________________

BODY

 The body of the write up may be written in 2-3 paragraphs. Each body paragraph should contain a topic

sentence that clearly indicates how the evidence per paragraph.

A. Brief summary of the story

 Summarize only the significant features of the story

_________________________________________________________________

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B. Evidence from the story

 Quotation and other examples should support your ideas about the text. They should be paraphrased

from the original text with proper citation. Short passages may be quoted in a response essay along with

citation

_________________________________________________________________

C. Analysis of Elements

 This may include your thoughts of character, plot, setting, and theme.

_________________________________________________________________

D. Personal insights

_________________________________________________________________
Note: Write an analysis of one to two sentences for each piece of evidence. End with a concluding sentence

those transitions into your next paragraph.

CONCLUSION

 Restate thesis statement

 Overview of points

 Your conclusion should include a basic overview of the points that you made in your body paragraphs.

Note: Do not include any new ideas in your conclusion or add any analysis not previously mentioned in your
response.

Other things to keep in mind:

 The present tense is used when talking about the events in the story.
 Write a concise summary or synthesis in the introductory paragraph. Don’t assume that your reader has
read the story;
 “I think” or “I feel” in front of your beliefs.
 Remember to include a title of the book and the author; instead, use the main idea from your thesis.

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Name: ______________________________ Date: _________
Section: ______________

RESPONSE ESSAY

(DRAFT)

First paragraph
Introduction
 Introduction to the topic
First Paragraph
 Title of the story
Introduction
 Author
 Brief summary
 Thesis statement
 Topic Sentence linking to THESIS STATEMENT
 Arguments/Ideas proving your topic sentence
Body Paragraph 1
 Examples/Quotes from the text to support your ideas
 Concluding Sentence linking to THESIS STATEMENT
 Topic Sentence linking to THESIS STATEMENT

Body Paragraph 2  Arguments/Ideas proving your topic sentence

 Examples/Quotes from the text to support our ideas
 Concluding Sentence linking to THESIS STATEMENT
 Topic Sentence linking to THESIS STATEMENT
 Arguments/Ideas proving your topic sentence
Body Paragraph 3
 Examples/Quotes from the text to support our ideas
 Concluding Sentence linking to THESIS STATEMENT
 Restatement of thesis
Fifth paragraph
 Overview of points
Conclusion
 Final statement