CAPT Response to Literature Strategies

How to Succeed at Answering the Four Questions (in about 40 minutes)

The First Three Steps to Take

Follow these first steps while reading the story

1. Brainstorm the Title

What do you know about it or any of the words in it already?

Make connections to it. Make a prediction about it.

2. Annotate the Text

THIS WILL HELP YOU LOCATE SUPPORT FOR WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO WRITE AND WILL SAVE YOU WRITING TIME.

– Circle important character names where they do something significant.

– Where a passage is confusing or you have a question use a “?”

– For passages that grab your attention use *– For connections (experiences you have had or something

else you have read or seen) use +– Underline phrases that are colorful in their sensory detail– Jot down short notes to yourself in the margins

3. After reading, briefly jot down what you now know about:

Setting Characters

– Static or Dynamic?– Protagonist or Antagonist?– Round or Flat?

Conflict– Person vs. person– Person vs. self – this is an internal conflict– Person vs. society– Person vs. nature

Solution Mood Motivation - Why did the characters take the actions they did?

Answering the Questions

After reading the story you will have to answer ALL FOUR short essay prompts

Answering Question 1

THE TEST WILL ASK:– What are your thoughts and questions about the

story? You might reflect upon the characters, their problems, the title, or other ideas about the story.

Answering Question 1 (cont.)

TAKE YOUR PENCIL AND CROSS THROUGH THE PART OF THE QUESTION THAT SAYS “What are your thoughts and questions about the story?”

LOOK AT THE SECOND SENTENCE OF THE QUESTION

Answering Question 1 (cont.)

SHOW YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE STORY BY GIVING EXAMPLES AND DISCUSSING THE:– Title– Characters– Plot or problems– Solution– Other ideas about the story

Do NOT retell the story – tell what it means or how it was significant

Answering Question 2

THE TEST WILL ASK EITHER:- How does the main character change from the

beginning of the story to the end? What do you think causes this change?

- OR -- Choose one of the following quotes from the story.

Explain what you think the quote means as it relates to the elements of the story such as the characters or the theme. (They will give you three quotes from the story to choose)

Answering Question 2: Character Change

– Make a statement about the character at the beginning and support it with examples from the story.

– Make a statement about the character at the end and support it with examples from the story.

– Give your thoughts on WHY the character changed and support it with ideas from the story.

Answering Question 2: Choose a Quote

– You must identify the character and explain, with examples from the story as support, what it told you about the character.

– You should also discuss, with examples as support, what happened in the story because the character was that way.

Answering Question 3

THE TEST WILL ASK:– What does this story say about people in general?

In what ways does it remind you of people you have known or experiences you have had? You may also write about stories or books you have read, or movies, works of art, or TV programs you have seen. Use examples from the story to explain your thinking.

Answering Question 3 (cont.)

Show that you could personally relate to a part or parts of the story and understood the big idea it presented.

Make a statement about what the story said about people in general.

Ex. - How are ALL people like one of the characters? Was there a universal idea or theme you recognized?

Answering Question 3 (cont.)

Make connections to the story– personal connection – something that happened

to you or someone you know

- AND -– a book or short story you read or a movie or

television show– You should already have these identified in the

story with a +.

Answering Question 3 (cont.)

Explain your connection in some detail (but not TOO much).

Relate your connection back to the story – how was it like a specific incident or character?

Tell how the connection helped you better understand the story.

Answering Question 4

THE TEST WILL ASK:– How successful was the author in creating

a good piece of literature? Use examples from the story to explain your thinking.

Answering Question 4 (cont.)

Include the author’s name and the title of the story at the beginning of the response.

Give your supported opinion on the author’s success at creating an effective story.

Even if you did not enjoy the story, it is easier to find support for the stance that the author DID write an effective story.

Answering Question 4 (cont.)

Identify literary elements that the author used well. Consider these:– Realistic characters– Vivid description– Exciting scenes– Suspense– Thought-provoking conflict– Satisfying ending– Surprises– Clear plot development– Universal meaning– Artful use of language– Characters that incite empathy– Fantasy– Settings that are exotic and fanciful– Any other literary element you have learned in English class

Answering Question 4 (cont.)

Give specific examples of 3 or 4 literary elements the author used effectively.– If you annotated the text as you read, you should

be able to quickly find examples of these literary elements to include in your answer. (characters circled, descriptive language underlined, * beside passages that grabbed your attention.)

Tell HOW each element made the story effective.

THE END!