New York State Elementary Test Prep: ELA 4 (Grade 2) Personal Written Response to Literature

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What does "personal response" mean?

	"Personal" means your own private feelings about someone or something.

A "response" is a way of telling something to someone. It can be a spoken response, or a written response.

So, a "personal response" is telling how you feel about someone or something. It can be done by speaking or writing.

Have you ever written in a journal? Did you know that you can use a journal to write personal responses about books that you read? It's fun to do because you are free to write whatever you want!

One time you may write about a character that acts just like you! Another time you might write about the setting of the story. Perhaps you'll predict what will happen next, or how the story will end. You might even write about your favorite part, or your least favorite part, of the story. The possibilities are endless!

Here are some questions to help you when writing a personal response to a story!
What did the author do to capture your attention?
Which character is most like you?
What do you like about the setting?
What event would you change?
How does the story relate to your own life?
What do you think will happen next?
How do you want the story to end?
What is your favorite, or least favorite, part of the book?
Who was your favorite character and why?
Did any of the characters change from the beginning to the end of the story?

I've got a great idea! Make a Personal Reading Journal out of an old notebook or some paper. Choose a book to read. Take a few minutes, after each chapter, to write a personal response. If you're not sure what to write, use the questions above to help you. You'll have a wonderful journal to share with others!

Now that you've completed this lesson, click on the kids to practice!