Need some assistance please.?

Question

I have to write a 3 page response essay. I have a selection of short stories and poems that really aren't that interesting to me. What is the right approach to this? What questions should I ask myself about a story or poem before I begin?

Answer 1

It's hard to tell without knowing the poems or the story, but here are some general starting points.

You're being asked about what's common and what's different about them (of course you already knew that).

The things you should be looking for (in English teacher-speak) are:

1. Conflict

You know - is it man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. society, man vs. himself, man finds God, and so forth.

2. Theme

What is the underlying thought behind the story or the poem (and it's usually implied, rather than stated): is it a metaphor for life, is it a story about human nature, is it about loss, or about overcoming obstacles, that sort of thing.

3. Character

Is it a broken hero trying to redeem himself, is it an ordinary man in extraordinary circumstance, is it a hero falling into despair?


And, of course, all these things are interconnected.


If you just try to touch on these things, you'll at least get a B minus. Good luck.

Answer 2

Just try to sift thru the stuff that doesn't interest you if you have to use it, & focus on what you think are the main themes of each.
Then maybe you can find a common thread throughout & feed the teach what they probably want to hear. You sound intelligent enough to make up some thing good!
Ask yourself how the poems make you FEEL (&what are the reasons for these).
Ask yourself how any of the stories can be related to personal situations if any, & site things they made you think about that you hadn't really given much thought to before.
Just feed it right back, since it doesn't pique your interest! :)

Answer 3

What are some of the poems and stories? Ask yourself: Have I ever been in a similar situation? How did I respond or react? Were my feelings or actions similar to the ones described in the story or poem? If they were different, describe how your response varied from what you read. Do any of the stories or poems describe a situation that occurs in our world today? You can describe that if so. Good luck!

Answer 4

Start with the short stories-just pick one. Read it & ask your self "why did that person write it & what were they hoping to tell me about?" Write down what mood you felt after the first few sentences. Chances are very great that you will find something in the story to identify with & are able to write about it. You can't be SURE you aren't interested until you actually read it-you might be surprised! You have to add curiosity & then convey that in your paper-you are a reporter!

Answer 5

How to Write a Book Review

These links are essentially the same, just choose the one that makes the most sense to you..!!!
The book report you write should be four paragraphs long. Remember to use correct conventions (margins, indent paragraphs, capitalization, punctuation etc.)

http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/staff/gmeade/how_to_write_a_book_report.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_11249_write-book-report.html

How to Write a Book Report (Upper Elementary School level)

http://www.infoplease.com/homework/wsbookreportelem.html

How to Write a Book Report (Middle and High School level.)

http://www.infoplease.com/homework/wsbookreporths.html

Book Reports and Summaries

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/writingabookreport/a/report.htm

Basic Structure

http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/

Fiction: Short Story & Novel Fact Sheet

http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/factsheet.html

Good luck.

Kevin, Liverpool, England.