About This Activity
For this twist on a Reader Response, you will write a letter about your preliminary interpretation and review of the memoir MEAN by Myriam Gurba based on the reading you completed by the suggested DUE date. I am looking for: 1) specific textual evidence from the book that shows me you are reading the material about which you are writing, 2) evidence that you are thinking about the book (analysis), its connection to our course, and its impact on you as a reader (self-reflection), and 3) adherence to MLA conventions.
Note: Your letter must be 2 word-processed pages long (double-spaced) before you share it on the discussion board i.e., “send” your letter to your peer.
This is a 3-part assignment.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PART I: WRITE YOUR LETTER (SUGGESTED DUE DATE 4/10)
1. Include the date of your letter and a salutation e.g., “Dear _____,” and so on.
2. Your letter should include (questions are simply examples of what you might consider answering):
reactions to the narrator, characters, and events
Which character(s) do you like or dislike? Why?
What is your favorite part of the book? Why? Be sure to explain the event carefully.
Explain how or why a minor character is important to the story.
Are the characters believable? Is the dialogue realistic? Is the action realistic? Are you able to form vivid mental pictures from the author’s descriptions and choice of words?
a discussion of the author’s writing style
Consider the writing structure? Is it told chronologically, or does it jump back and forth between characters or time periods? How does this affect your reading?
How did the book begin (description, dialogue, action, etc.)? Did you like the way it began? Why/why not? If you did not like the beginning, how, in your opinion, should the author have started?
Does the author use any flashback, foreshadowing, or other techniques to give you important details in the story? How does this affect the story?
Did you notice anything about the language of the story that you particularly liked or disliked, found distracting or intriguing? What was it? Be specific.
an overall analysis of the work in question and its connection to our course
Has this book given you anything to think about? What?
Has this book caused you to want to find out more about someone or some idea? What?
Since this is a contemporary piece of Chicanx literature, do you notice any differing preoccupations than our earlier texts?
How is this book building on what you’ve learned about Chicanx experience/ history to date?
self-reflective of you as a reader
If you could talk to the author, what questions would you ask them about the choices they made in their memoir? Why do you have these questions?
If you read this book differently than you usually read, reflect on why. Was it faster or slower? Why? Were you more or less engaged? Why?
Did you find yourself thinking about the characters or events in this book while not reading it?
If you have noticed yourself having any particular emotions while reading this book, explain what was happening at the time and why you think that made you emote.
Do you think you might read this book again in the future? Why or why not?
Would you recommend this book to a particular type of person or to a particular friend? Give specific reasons why you think they should read it.
If you have read other books by this author, describe which book you like best and why?
Has anything ever happened to you, or to someone you know, that an incident in the book reminds you of? Be specific.
What issues in this memoir are similar to real-life issues that you’ve thought about, been exposed to, or had some kind of experience with?
How has the story clarified or confused or changed your views on any of the issues raised in the book?
3. Add a closing. All letters end with a closing. Usually there would be some sort of concluding sentence at the end of the letter, then skip two lines and write a closing word like “Sincerely” or “Yours” followed by a comma, and then below that, your signature. Because your letters are to peers, you may choose to write something less formal.
PART II: RESPOND TO EACH LETTER FROM YOUR PEERS (SUGGESTED DUE DATE 4/15)
Again, use the format of a letter and open with a salutation. Thank your peer for their letter, then begin your response: What do you think about what your peer shared in their letter? What points strike you as interesting or needing clarification? Are there assertions you agree or disagree with and why? What connections or additional insights might you offer? Etc.
PART III: RESPOND TO THE RESPONSE (SUGGESTED DUE DATE 4/17)
After you’ve finished the book, refer back to your initial letter. Share with your peers how your thinking has evolved since you first wrote/responded.
Keep the correspondence going as you see fit!
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