FIRST STEPS
Before you can write a quality summary response essay, you should concentrate on your close reading and annotation skills.
CLOSE READING involves asking questions about the text as you read it (or about a film as you watch it):
For more information on close reading, click here:
THE FIRST SECTION OF YOUR SUMMARY RESPONSE IS THE SUMMARY
In this portion of the essay, provide a summary of the main points of the text, film, or subject you have been asked to write about.
Select at least 3 main points or ideas to discuss and shape your introduction and thesis statement accordingly. Here is a brief example of what a summary might look like:
THE SECOND SECTION OF YOUR SUMMARY RESPONSE IS THE RESPONSE
In this section, the writing should address the main points outlined in the summary and thesis with examples from the reading to support the response.
This portion of the essay can be subjective, meaning the writer can react, give feedback about the subject, and respond to it. Here is a brief excerpt of what this might look like using our example short story, "The Dog Ate My Homework" by Alfred Jones :
