Name: ______________________ Date: ______________________
Read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor. Then, select one of the following prompts and write a five paragraph essay. Type and double space your paper, include a heading and a title.
Literary Response Prompts
1: Using a specific literary work, explain how a novel might influence change in society.
2: The theme of a literary piece is the central idea or message that it delivers. Cite a specific literary work and discuss the theme(s).
3: A struggle between two or more opposing forces in a work is called conflict. Cite a piece of literature and explain the conflict(s) embodied in the work.
4: Using a work of literature you have read, describe the hero or heroine and his or her characteristics. Discuss how the character grows or changes over the course of the story.
5: Explain the most important lesson(s) you learned from a piece of literature. Use specific details from a literary work you have read.
Literary Response Essay Rubric
Content: Your written response shows an understanding and interpretation of the writing prompt.
- Satisfies the requirements of the writing prompt in a creative, original manner
- Establishes a controlling idea that reveals an understanding of the text
- Uses a clear thesis statement
- Proves the thesis with insightful examples and details
Development: Your written response gives a clear and logical explanation of ideas, using supporting materials.
- Builds and elaborates ideas thoughtfully
- Develops the topic in an interesting and imaginative way
- Demonstrates coherence in the development of ideas
Organization: Your written response shows a coherent, orderly, well-reasoned approach.
- Sets up and maintains a clear focus based on the controlling idea
- Establishes a logical, rational sequence of ideas with transitional words and phrases
Language Use / Conventions: Your written response shows a sense of audience, by using effective vocabulary and varied sentence structure.
- Has vivid language, fluidity, and a sense of engagement and voice
- Has sophisticated style of sentence structure, sentence variety, and vocabulary
- Has essentially no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors