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

Personal Response Tips

Remember: A personal response tells how you feel about someone or something. It can be done by speaking or writing.

Take a look at this pretend Personal Response Journal. Read each journal entry. Read each question that follows the entry. Click on the question that goes with the journal entry.

My Personal Response Journal
Click on the arrow to read along with me.
1. The next thing the character will do is write a note to the teacher apologizing for disrupting class. The teacher will accept the apology and it will be a great day. Choose the question that this personal response answers. Who was your favorite character and why? What do you think will happen next?

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2. I wanted to read on and on because the author used exciting words. He also put the character in a funny position and it made me want to read on to find out how things would turn out! Choose the question that this personal response answers. What did the author do to capture your attention? How do you want the story to end?

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3. The beach was a unique place for this story to happen. It's one of my favorite places to go in the summer so I enjoyed reading this. It was interesting to see what people in the past did when they went to the beach. Choose the question that this personal response answers. What do you like about the setting? Who was your favorite character and why?

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4. I know that Frosty melts. Instead of melting, I would write the story so that Frosty lives through the spring and into the summer. He's such a jolly fellow! Choose the question that this personal response answers. Which character is most like you? How do you want the story to end?

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5. Randy and I have so much in common! We both love sports. His favorite sport is football and so is mine. I bet we'd really get along if we had the chance to meet each other! Choose the question that this personal response answers. Which character is most like you? How do you want the story to end?

Click on the arrow to read along with me.
6. At the beginning, the little boy was very sad. He was a loner. I think that as he made friends, he became happier. He went from eating lunch and playing on the playground alone, to doing things with a bunch of new buddies. He ended up being very happy and spent little time alone. Choose the question that this personal response answers. What is your favorite, or least favorite, part of the book? Did any of the characters change from the beginning to the end of the story?

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7. I live in the city, and the setting of this story is in the city. I really could make a clear picture in my mind of what the author was trying to describe. I guess that's because I live in the same kind of place. Choose the question that this personal response answers. Who was your favorite character and why? How does the story relate to your own life?

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8. I didn't like the part of the book when the volcano erupted and everyone had to flee the village. This was very sad. I would not have wanted to be one of those poor villagers. It had to be hard to leave everything behind! What do you think? Choose the question that this personal response answers. What is your favorite, or least favorite, part of the book? What do you like about the setting?



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