Reader Response Worksheets

How to Form a Reader Response

What is reading response? Well, it is when a reader examines, explains, and defends their personal reaction to the literary piece they read. The elements that a reader needs to cover in writing their response is, ‘why you like or dislike the piece they read?' ‘a statement identifying whether the reader agrees or disagrees with the author,' ‘the purpose the reader read the book,' and ‘critical analysis of the piece.' Creating a reading response is up to the reader. There is no right or wrong way to create a reader response. So, how to write a reader response? Make sure that you always write the response with the perspective of an educated individual. Do not forget to support your critical analysis with legit examples. Always mention the title, author, and the main idea of the book in question. Connect to the text.

Author's Purpose Worksheets

Who is the author? What do you know about the author? What do you imagine the author must be like? Find information about the author and write a brief biography on the author.

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How to Interpret What an Author Means

Authors use descriptive writing to quite an extent. Figurative language is part of their daily writing, and it is quite unlikely that every reader gets to comprehend them. While most readers struggle with the interpretation, a slight effort in improving your reading skills will take you a long way. Whether whatever language you are reading, there exist some technicalities that you need to follow if you wish to interpret the words of a writer. Reading is one of them. While reading helps you explore new horizons, it expands perspective, and you get to grasp the meanings better underlining in an otherwise difficult-to-comprehend-sentences. On the other hand, writing helps you figure out what your understanding of the text is. So, while you are at improving your interpretation skills, ensure you are reading and writing excessively.


Breaking Points

Students discuss drastic direction changes. How does this relate to their life? Think of a problem/conflict that a character had to face. Write the problem and how the character solved it or is attempting to solve it. If you were the character, what would you do? How would you handle the conflict differently?

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How to Spot Drastic Plot Twists in a Story

Some writers have a habit of bringing in plot twists in a story. While it keeps the readers guessing, it definitely keeps the story interesting and fun to read. If you wish to explore through your favorite stories by being able to explore drastic plot twists, these tips might come handy. Read Through the Clues - Writers leave clues now and then in a story. Like, clues for the death of the main protagonist to bringing your attention to unnecessary details, these only lead you to the main plot twist. Cliffhangers are one of the most obvious. Though they appear at the end of the book, some writers might leave them in the middle of the story, right before they introduce a different storyline to their story. All in all, if you are an avid reader, your reading skills also help you spot plot twists in a story. So, ensure you are reading every day if you spotting these plot holes is your ultimate goal.


Characters

Response pieces that are based on characters. Capture what the characters were about.

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How to Analyze Characters in a Story

Before we read a story or watch a movie, there are a few important things that we must know and understand. We must be able to analyze the characters and plot of that story or movie. Analyzing the character building of a certain character is a bit difficult skill to learn; however, it gets better by the time. The only way of mastering how to analyze characters of a story is to read and watch more stories and movies. While reading a story or watching a movie, you must keep in mind every little detail, and you must not miss anything. Moreover, you need to maintain focus on that particular character that you are looking to analyze. You must take into account every tiny movement and activity of that character since the beginning. That is how you analyze characters in a story.


Comparisons

Students compare and contrast parts of a work. The goal is to find and describe relationships.

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How to Compare Parts of a Story

For an avid reader, comparing and contrasting a similar piece of writing is a routine. You read through the pages, and while you are halfway through, you realize the familiarity between the same literature. However, to compare a part of a story, you may struggle to quite an extent. So, before you start, ensure you are skimming through the chapters and reading thoroughly so that you don't miss any details. If you are still confused, here's how you may compare parts of a story. If it happens you compare chapters of a book or the introduction with the ending, you should have answers to some of the most basic questions. For instance, the why's and the what's? Simply put, why are you comparing parts of your story? If it is for the reason of enjoying the literature only or for an academic purpose, you may read the story thoroughly. Then proceed with writing pointers so that you are not missing any details. You may also raise questions every step of the story so that you may compare it effortlessly. All in all, you may also write a critique of the story. Chances are the comparison that may only ooze perfection.


New Connections

Students find connections between works. A great deal of critical thinking is required.

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How Do You Identify Connections Between Two Pieces of Literature?

Reading is, in itself, quite an art. While you are reading, you are not only reading the words but also exploring through the horizons and absorbing different perspectives. Also, when you are an avid reader, you start to notice the similarities between every other piece of literature. However, when identifying the connection between the two pieces of literature is in question, you may consider one of the following. The theme of the book is the most important when it comes to finding a connection among any piece of literature. On several occasions, an author would write a sequel years after the first book, keeping the readers confused and guessing. So, when you come across such a setting, ensure you are aware of the themes of the two books. Chances are you may identify the connection like never before. From the plot of the story to the climax of the book, see if the writer left any cliffhanger while ending the first book. Chances are you may find the connection you have been looking for in all the new ways possible.


Emotions

Students explore emotions found in the story and how they affect the character dynamics.

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How to Identify Emotions in What You Read

Emotions are at the heart of every writer's work. They put their heart and soul in their craft for readers to read through. However, if identifying emotions is not your thing, these are some of the tips you may consider. Relate to their Words - If you do not relate to what you read, you might never feel the emotions stringing through the words of any book. Though some writers add excessive emotions to the story, still being insensitive to their emotions will only keep you restless while reading. Open Your Emotions - Some books might not seep in through your emotions. The storyline will only keep you bored, and you'll find yourself losing patience now and then. However, boarding on the journey as an empathetic reader might help you relate to the story in all the new ways.


Use Your Imagination

We urge students to use a high level of creativity along the way.

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How to Use Your Imagination When Reading

Using your imagination is one of the best ways to enjoy reading. While some already have an imaginative instinct within them, some struggle with it. In case you do not have a creative streak within you, here's how you can develop them. Don't Force Read - Reading should not be a task you do forcefully if you want to rejoice the fun. Instead, it should help you explore new horizons. The storyline should keep you guessing, and sentences should only make you devour over them. In case, this is not what happens to you every time you read; you may consider the next tip. Read the books of Your Interest - It is a done deal; not everyone can like every book. While some bores you, the others will only keep your heart beating. The trick to making your imaginations seep in through your reading is to ensure you are reading only the books that interest you.


New Directions

Asks students to use deeper thought processes. Students take the reading into a new direction.

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How to Take a Story You Read in a Different Direction

Do you ever get inspired while you are reading? On several occasions, we might find the ending of a book difficult to grasp. If you are in the same boat, you may take the story forward in your creative ways. In case you don't have any know-how, you may find these ways work for you. Though changing the setting may keep you drained as you are starting the story afresh. Still, it is one of the best ways to take a story you read in a different direction. You may also change the genre of the story if you might. Write a fan-fiction of a fiction-based novel and take it to fantasy. Chances are you'll find the experience quite creative. Keep Creativity as your Strongest Suit - If the characters of the story don't make any sense, you may keep creativity as your strongest suit and change the characters of the story as you like. With their traits to personalities, you have all the reasons to explore different dimensions of your least or most favorite characters.


Opinions

Students are asked to explain their position. Focus on fairness.

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How to Express Your Opinion About a Story That You Read

Gone are the days when all of us would stay quiet and not share our thoughts and opinions. This digital age is all about expressing yourself. Now, everywhere you see, you come across people who want to comment. The pressure building upon is by the cyberspace and social media platforms is getting real. It requires us to stay connected with the world. The problem, however, is that, with so many opinionated people around us, we are unsure of how to express ourselves. Definitely, you want to make an impact by voicing out your opinion. And to do so, you must develop your case in a way that is heard. Let us say you read a story, and now you have formed an opinion about it. How are you going to express it? Follow the below-mentioned steps. 1. Figure out what you believed in the story, and why have you believed it? 2. Write it down on a piece of paper roughly. Write at least 5 rough paragraphs. 3. Now match your opinions and thoughts you have drafted with the story you've read. 4. Always support your opinion with logic.


Summaries

The focus is on new ideas.

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How to Compose a Reading Summary

A reading summary may come across as the-run-on-the-mill sort of writing you come across every day. However, it is not your everyday writing. It demands your creativity in all the new ways, and you may play with words creatively but precisely in the best way possible. In case you struggle with composing a reading summary, here is how you may master it with some of these tips. Skim Through the Text - Once you are done reading thoroughly and have gathered enough knowledge, you may as well skim through the text. So, if you miss out on any crucial details, skimming will only add to your summary. Keep Your Sentences and Paragraphs Concise - Let us face it; your summary should have every detail of the book but as precise as can be. Ensure, while you are writing your reading summary, you keep it concise. From selecting the right words to curating shorter sentences and a smartly written paragraph with only the most crucial details, your summary may have all the right elements. Follow the Usual Structure of Writing a Summary - A summary mostly includes introductions, a body, and a conclusion. So, while you are at writing your first draft, ensure you are jumping on the bandwagon as well. You may take on a subtle approach and use the aged-old structure of a summary. However, ensure you are keeping your sentences and paragraphs short but including details impeccably.