Writing a Summary Response

Answer the following questions in your notebook while watching the Pre Writing Video and be prepared to submit your answers to your instructor.

1. Understand the Assignment: Summary and Response

In your own words, describe the difference between the summary and response paragraphs.

2. Generate Ideas: Main Idea 

* Author's Main Idea: In your own words, write down what you believe is the main idea of "Rice for Thanksgiving." 

* My Main Idea: Now, think about the main idea you want to use in your response to "Rice for Thanksgiving." Use your personal experience to determine your own main idea and write it down now.

3. Develop a Thesis Statement: My Thesis

Creating your thesis statement is one of the most important steps in the writing process. Using your main idea from the previous exercise convert it into your thesis statement—one interesting and carefully worded sentence that captures what you will say in your response paragraph.

4. Organize Ideas: Supporting Ideas 

* Author's Supporting Ideas: Make a list of three supporting ideas (points or details) the author included in "Rice for Thanksgiving."  

* My Supporting Ideas: Now, list three points or details that support the thesis statement you've written for your response to "Rice for Thanksgiving."

5. Organize Ideas: My Purpose 

In preparing to write the concluding sentence for your response paragraph, compose a single sentence that tells the reader how your personal experiences relate to Jocelyn Fong's main idea.