Response essay

What is a response essay?

The response essay is based on a provocative question that highlights specific insights applicable to a broad range of literary texts. The question provides for varied personal interpretations and multiple approaches. It allows students to truly create the specific substance of their own essay.

What is the purpose of the response essay?

The College Hoard wants to assess your ability to discuss a work of literature in a particular context. The illustrations you include in your essay will demonstrate your insights and critical thinking as well as your writ­ing ability.

Although the question is the same for all students, you have total freedom to choose the piece of literature to which you will refer. Once chosen, you have total freedom to select the specifics that will support your thesis. Unlike the other two essays, which have rubrics based on certain concrete interpretations and directions of the text, your response essay will be uniquely your own.

What are the pitfalls of the response essay?

It is our experience that the free-response question is a double-edged sword. Students can suffer from over-confidence because of the open nature of this essay. They depend on memory rather than on preparation and often go for the most obvious illustrations. They tend to ramble on in vague and unsupported generalities, and they frequently provide incorrect information. The failure to plan and limit can undermine this essay.

Students often have trouble choosing the appropriate work and lose valuable time pondering a variety of choices. It is important to be decisive and confident in your presentation.

What kinds of works may I refer to in this essay?

Generally, you are asked to choose a lull-length work, almost always a novel or play. However, if the prompt says “choose a work.” you may use a poem, short story, novella, or a work of non-fiction. Note: You may never use a film.

Must I use the list of works provided at the bottom of the prompt?

Absolutely not! Since this is a free-response essay, the choice of a literary work is up to you. You should choose a work that is appropriate to the prompt, appropriate to AH students, and one that is comfortable for you.

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