№ 8. Literary Analysis guide.
SHORT STORY ANALYSIS
Plot
Characters
Setting
Tone
Style
PointofView
NarrativeTechnique
Structure
Theme
Plot
Plot and subject are not the same. The subject is what the story is about.
Content is how the author arranges the events in the story; in other words, how he/she deals with the subject.
A reader should not judge the work of literature on the basis of the subject, but on the basis of style and ideas.
The story deals with the events that occur in temporal sequence in the novel. Most novels have some departure from the strict temporal sequence.
What is plot?
The author creates a plot by arranging events in a story in order to achieve a certain effect.
A pattern of cause-effect relationships may be created.
Plot imposes form on experience, which is formless.
Plot is important in expressing the meaning of a work.
Structure of a plot:
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· Beginning: How the novel starts. |
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Exposition: the writer imparts information that is necessary to understand the story. |
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Introduces an element of instability; there is an openness in the story that is capable of being developed |
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· Middle |
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Elements of instability group themselves into what we recognize as a pattern of conflict, or complication. |
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Complication turns into climax when it reaches its level of highest intensity. |
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· Denouement, or outcome: how the novel ends |
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Laws of Plot:
· Plausibility: the story should be convincing on its own terms, but not necessarily realistic.
· Element of surprise should be present.
· Suspense: we should not know how the story turns out.
· Foreshadowing: hints at the direction the story will take.
· Logical: events should be believable in their relationships to one another.
Unity is found when the novel has a beginning, a middle, and an end and includes plausibility, surprise, and suspense.
Subplots may be present and should have a connection with the main plot.
Characters
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Lifelikeness |
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· Fictional characters do not have to be just like real human beings. There is a difference. However, they should be believable. |
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· Characters are not free to act as they please; the author creates an illusion of freedom. |
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· “Lifelikeness” must sometimes be sacrificed for the plot, theme, or unity of the work as a whole |
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Relevance |
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· Is the character someone you can understand and relate to on some level |
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· Characters can represent some universal quality (archetypal), or be eccentric individuals. |
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· Characters may resemble ourselves and people we know or may represent a universal quality that exists in all of us. |
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Judging characters |
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· How is this character relevant to the reader? |
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· How does he/she contribute to the story as a whole? |
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Simple characters |
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· May be stereotypes, or embodiments of a single characteristic; usually play major roles only in bad fiction. |
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· May be one-sided characters who do not represent universal types; predictable characters. |
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· Simple characters are often used to fulfill minor roles in the novel. |
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Complex characters |
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· These are more difficult to achieve. |
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· More lifelike than simple characters. |
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· Capable of surprising us. |
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· Gradations of complexity may exist |
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· Character should be unified; i.e., should not act “out of character”: consistency and believability are important. |
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Methods of character portrayal |
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· Discursive method: narrator tells their qualities |
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Disadvantage: discourages reader’s use of imagination. |
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Advantage: saves time |
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· Dramatic method: author allows characters to reveal themselves by how they act and speak. |
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Advantage: characters are more lifelike; involves reader’s participation. |
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Disadvantage: takes more time and allows for possibility of misjudging characters. |
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· Characters talk about other characters; information is not necessarily reliable. |
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· Mixing methods: most common and most effective |
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Development of character: does the person grow in the novel? |
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Motivation: point where plot and characters come together; plot is what characters do; motivation is why they do it. |
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Author may stress either plot or character; it is how they blend that matters. |
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Setting
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Types of setting: |
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· Neutral setting: the setting is not important, just a place where the action takes place. |
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· Spiritual setting: the values embodied in the physical setting; there is no easy relationship between physical setting and moral values. |
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· Dynamic setting: the setting may take on the role of a character. |
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Elements of a setting: |
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· Geography (topography, scenery, interiors, etc.) |
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· Occupation and lifestyle of characters |
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· Time |
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· Religious, intellectual, and moral environment |
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Functions of a setting: |
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· Setting as metaphor: the setting projects the internal state of the characters or a pervasive spiritual atmosphere. |
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· Atmosphere: a mood or emotional aura suggested by the setting and helping to establish the reader’s expectations |
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Setting as the dominant element: |
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· Time, especially in historical novels |
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· Place: regionalist or local color novels (spiritual as well as geographical) |
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Setting should lend unity to the novel: What does it contribute? |
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Tone:
the author’s attitude toward the subject
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In literature, the author’s style and treatment of the subject reflect his/her attitude about the subject as well as an attitude towards the audience. |
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Components of tone: |
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· Understatement: casual or light treatment of the subject, it has two effects: |
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shows that the author does not take a subject seriously. |
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calls upon the moral indignation of the reader because the subject does not seem to be taken seriously. |
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· Irony: a discrepancy between what is stated and what is suggested; saying one thing and meaning another. |
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· Hyperbole: the opposite of understatement; exaggeration used for rhetorical effect: may be dramatic heightening. |
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· The middle style: style used by most authors, lying between understatement and hyperbole; presents an accurate picture of things as they are. |
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Failures in tone |
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· Sentimentality: author attempts to impose upon the material a greater emotional burden than it can comfortably bear. |
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· Inhibition: author’s failure to give due emotional weight to his material. |
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Style:
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Point of View
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Point of View means that the story is told through the eyes and mouth of a certain person; the story can change considerably, depending on who is telling it. |
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First persoarrator: |
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· Story is told from the inside; narrator is a participant in the action |
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· Narrator is often the protagonist or minor character; we see only what he/she sees, in the way that he/she sees it. |
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· Advantage: first persoarrator has immediacy and a sense of life. |
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· Disadvantage: the author may be frustrated in that he/she can only include things that the narrator would be expected to know; also, we are locked within the mind of the narrator. |
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Third persoarrator: |
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· usually a nameless narrator who can be identified with the author. |
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· omniscient narrator: godlike narrator; he/she can enter character’s minds and know everything that is going on, past, present, and future. |
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Advantage: very natural technique; author is, after all, omniscient regarding his work. |
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Disadvantage: unlifelike; narrator knows and tells all; is truly a convention of literature |
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· Viewpoint character: third persoarration that is limited to the point of view of one character in the novel; may be a protagonist or a minor character. |
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· Objective viewpoint: limited narrative, like a drama; narrator can only describe words and actions that can be seen objectively and cannot get into character’s thoughts |
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Combination of narrative techniques is possible in a novel. |
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Tense of narration is important; actioarrated in the present can be more dramatic than past tense narration. |
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Narrative Technique
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Scenic Technique |
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· Resembles a movie or play in its manner of presentation. |
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We are close to the actions in both a spatial and temporal sense. |
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The author presents actions that take a few seconds to perform in a passage that takes a few seconds to read. |
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· Scenic techniques used at the beginning of a novel are more likely to capture a reader’s attention at once because they are concrete and vivid. |
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Panoramic technique |
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· Physical setting is highly generalized; narrative summary of events of a long period of time compressed into a single paragraph |
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· Panoramic technique at the beginning of a novel often has the advantage of clarity; the reader knows where he/she is in time and space and has a definite point of departure for action that will follow. |
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· Panoramic technique is economical; author can get necessary exposition out of the way and concentrate on the story’s dramatic events. |
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Both scenic and panoramic techniques are combined in most novels. |
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· Shifting techniques can prevent monotony in the structure of the story. |
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· Author must emphasize certain things (scenic technique) and de-emphasize other things (panoramic technique). |
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· Panorama can serve a transitional function between more important scenes. |
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Structure
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How is the novel organized? |
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· Chronological organization: exposition at the beginning, progression towards climax and denouement. |
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· In media res: action is going on at the beginning of the novel; we are given flashbacks to what happened in the past. |
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· Unchronological: novel is presented to us in pieces like parts in a puzzle, and the reader has to put it together to get a sense of chronology. |
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Chapters and units, if any: |
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· To what do chapters and units correspond (historical periods, division between characters, different settings, etc.)? |
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· Does length of divisions (i.e. chapters or units) have any particular significance? |
Theme:
the meaning of the story; central or dominating idea
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What theme is not: |
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· It is not the “moral” of the story. |
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A moral is a piece of practical advice that can be gained from the novel to apply to our own lives. |
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A theme is more complex than a moral and may have no direct advice or philosophical value that the reader can apply |
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· It is not the subject of the story. |
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· It is not a “hidden meaning” that needs to be pulled out of the story. |
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What theme is: |
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· Theme is the meaning released by the work when we take all aspects of the work in its entirety into account. |
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· It is an aspect of human experience that the author wishes to express. |
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Discovering theme: Theme can be discovered only by becoming aware of the relations among the parts of a story and of the relations of the parts to a whole: |
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Characters: What kind of people does the story deal with? |
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Plot: What do the characters do? Are they in control of their lives, or are they controlled by fate? |
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Motivation: Why do the characters behave as they do, and what motives dominate them? |
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Style: How does the author perceive reality? |
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Tone: What is the author’s attitude towards his subject? |
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Values: What are the values of the characters in the story? What values does the author seem to promote? |
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The importance of theme in literature can be overestimated; the work of fiction is more than just the theme. However, the theme allows the author to control or give order to his perceptions about life. |
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ANALYSING A SHORT STORY
� Plot
� Point of View
� Character
� Setting
� Theme
PLOT
Plot is different from Story.
The story is a chronological sequence (arranged in time) of events/episodes.
The plot of a story need not be chronologically sequenced. The plot can rearrange the elements of the story such that (for instance) the end is narrated before the beginning. In such an instance, the plot uses the device of flashback. To give another example, in a detective tale, the initial action in the story is not disclosed to the reader until nearly the end, thereby producing the element of suspense.
The plot explores the causal connection (the link of cause to effect) between the episodes of a story.
Irony, Suspense, Coincidence, are some features of Plot.
E.M. Forster illustrated the difference between Plot and Story thus:
Story: �The King died, and then the Queen died.�
(the question that propels the story forward is �what happened next?�)
Plot: �The King died, and then the Queen died of grief.�
(the question addressed by the plot is �why?�/�how is the second event caused by the first�?)
What are the constituents of Plot?
Exposition/Introduction is the informatioeeded to understand what will happen during the time frame of a story. It usually consists of background information.
Complication is the catalyst that begins the major conflict.
Climax or crisis is the turning point in the story that occurs when characters try to resolve the complication.
Resolution is the tying up of the loose ends of the story, the ending or outcome.
Epiphany: a moment of startling, sudden insight gained by the main character as a result of the unfolding of events in the story
Questions to ask:
1) Why did the author arrange the story elements the way she did? What effect did she wish the story to produce?
2) How does the plot control our emotional response and prepare us for reversals or surprises?
3) Is the plot probable?
POINT OF VIEW
Who tells the story?
The teller of a story is the narrator, who is not to be confused with the author.
In fiction, who tells the story and how s/he tells it are critical issues that determine the interpretation of the story. The tone and feel of the story, and even its meaning, can change depending on who the narrator is.
The narrator can either �show� or �tell�. In the former case, s/he has the characters speak in their own voices, without any narrative mediation. In the latter, the narrator reports the events to the reader and thereby possesses greater control over the interpretation of the story.
Is the narrator trustworthy?
The credibility of the story will depend on the (perceived) reliability of the narrator. The narrator could be either objective (detached) or subjective (biased). An objective narrator�s tale is more readily believed than that of a subjective narrator.
Types of Point of View
Third Person Point of View
Here the narrator does not participate in the action of the story as one of the characters, but lets us know about the events and characters. This is an �outside� voice.
First Person Point of View
Here the narrator does participate in the action of the story. S/he is one of the characters in the story, an �inside� voice.
When reading stories in the first person, we need to realise that what the narrator is recounting might not be the objective truth. For instance, a first persoarrator might try to justify her action as she wishes to present herself in a favourable light to the reader. The trustworthiness of the recounting is thus an issue.
Omniscient and Limited Omniscient Points of View
A narrator who knows everything about all the characters is all-knowing, or omniscient. A narrator whose knowledge is limited to one character, either major or minor, has a limited omniscient point of view.
Questions to ask:
1) How does the point of view affect your response to the story, to the characters and the theme?
2) Is the narrator reliable? How do you assess her reliability?
3) Are the plot and the point-of-view of the story linked? If so, how?
CHARACTER
Characters are either major or minor, and either static (unchanging) or dynamic (changing).
Protagonist�the leading character; the main character
Antagonist�the force acting against the main character
E.M. Forster drew the distinction between flat and round characters.
Flat character�a one-dimensional representation, a stereotype
Round character�a multi-dimensional representation, someone who can convince in a surprising manner
Dynamic character�one that changes or grows from beginning to end
Static character�one that never changes or grows from beginning to end
Readers can learn about characters in many ways, including:
Physical traits, Dialogue, Actions, Attire, Opinions, Point of view
Since a short story aims for brevity, a round character is usually revealed/disclosed rather than developed in the course of the plot.
SETTING
The location of a story’s action, along with the time in which it occurs, is the setting. Setting can add an important dimension of meaning, reflecting character and embodying theme. Setting could even be symbolic, in the use, for instance, of pathetic fallacy.
THEME
The theme of a fable is its moral. The theme of a parable is its teaching.
The theme of a piece of fiction is its view about life and how people behave, the narrator�s vision.
The writer’s task is to communicate on a common ground with the reader.
Questions to ask:
1) Does the title have anything to do with the theme?
2) Are there repeating patterns and symbols in the story? Sometimes these lead you to the theme.
3) What allusions (references) are made throughout the story?
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Definition of the short story
1st definition:
A short story is a “short piece of fiction aiming at unity of characterization, theme and effect.
2nd definition:
The authors of the modern English short story “no longer attempt to make daily life more entertaining by inventing exotic plots. Instead, modern short story writers have tended to base their narratives on their own experience; here the focus is much more on the less spectacular aspects of life, on the significance underlying what is apparently trivial. The result of such perceptive writing is perfection of form, harmony of theme and structure, and precision of style to reveal the subtleties of the human mind and of human behaviour.
3rd definition:
Many attempts have been made to define the short story. But on a few points at least, the opinion of most critics is unanimous. This does not imply that the literary form of the American short story can be set up in a rigid way. It has undergone and will probably still undergo many changes as the literary taste and demands of the reading public also change in the course of time with new outlooks on life.
What are some of the elements that make up a good story?
a) A short story is a piece of prose fiction which can be read at a single sitting.
b) It ought to combine matter-of-fact description with poetic atmosphere.
c) It ought to present a unified impression of temper, tone, colour, and effect.
d) It mostly shows a decisive moment of life (which can entail a fatal blow).
e) There is often little action, hardly any character development, but we get a snapshot of life.
f) Its plot is not very complex (in contrast to the novel), but it creates a unified impression and leaves us with a vivid sensation rather than a number of remembered facts.
g) There is a close connection between the short story and the poem as there is both a unique union of idea and structure.
The short story is a piece of art that tries to give us a specified impression of the world we live in. It aims to produce a single narrative effect with the greatest economy of means and utmost emphasis.
The Art of Characterization in Short Stories
What is a short story?
Short story is a famous literary genre. Short story is a fictional narrative prose and it is more concise than fiction. Short stories have their origins in oral story telling traditions and prose anecdote in which, a swiftly sketched situation that comes rapidly to its point. With a rise of the comparatively realistic novel, the short story evolved as a miniature and its examples can be seen in the tales of Hoffmann and Anton Chekov.
Modern short stories
Modern short stories emerged as their own genre in the early 19th century. Early examples of short stories are Brothers Grimm’s Fairy Tales (1824-1826), Nikolai Gogol’s Evenings on a farm near Dikanta (1831-1832) etc.
Washington Irving, Edgar Allen Poe did the major contribution to short stories. In mid 19th century, this genre flourished, at the same time, literary theories about short stories also appeared.
Short stories are less complex thaovel. Generally a short story focuses on one incident, has a single plot, single setting, limited number of characters and covers short period.
Elements of short stories
There are several major elements, which make a short story-
1. Plot
2. Narrative viewpoint
3. Characterization
4. Language and style
Characterization plays a very important role in short story.
What is characterization
Characterization refers to the author’s manner of presenting his individuals.
If the characterization is direct the reader identifies the character through the description of character’s behavior. If the characterization is indirect the reader learns about the character through his actions.
Characterization as an art-
Characterization plays a very important role in short stories. It is necessary to study how characters are revealed while studying characterization as an art.
Generally short story focuses on one incident, has a single plot, single setting, limited number of characters and covers a very shot period. To establish each character within a very short period is very challenging. Thus characterization is seen as an art. Some core elements of dramatic structure are exposition, complication or conflict, rising action, crisis, climax, resolution and moral. This structure is also sometimes followed in short stories.
How characters are revealed
Characters are revealed to the reader in various ways
1. Description
2. Dialogue
3. Thoughts and feelings
4. Actions and reactions
5. Imagery and symbols
Description-
The author often provides an introductory pen-portrait and then informs about the details as the narrative proceeds. Important passages describe main characters or make us aware how they change and develop.
Dialogue-
Characters give important clues when they discuss with the concerned character. We may also find out a lot about someone from his or her own speech.
Thoughts and feelings-
The inner life of the character can be revealed directly, particularly in first persoarrative.
Actions and reaction-
How characters behave in various situations helps us to develop a view about them.
Imagery and symbols-
Characters may be described using simile and metaphor or may be associated symbolically.
When characters are revealed, one can identify their type, according to their classification. So it is important to study the major types of characters.
Types of characters
There are five major types. There might be more types if novel, poem, drama, epic, etc are concerned but as far as short stories are concerned, following types of character are significant.
1. Flat character
2. Round character
3. Dynamic character
4. Static character
5. Stereotypical or stock character
Flat character-
This character does not essentially change through out the story. E.g. supporting characters. It is also called as type character.
Round character-
A round character has something of the complexity, we find in real human beings. He or she changes in some important way as the novel or story unfolds itself and stands out. This character is usually individualistic and recognized by his particular merits or faults, which bring development in the story. E.g. protagonist.
Dynamic character-
A dynamic character is the character, which changes significantly during the course of the story. These changes include changes in insight or understanding, values, Changes in commitment. Changes in circumstances do not apply unless they result in some change within the character’s self.
E.g. Protagonist is always nearly a dynamic character. Antagonists sometimes are dynamic as well.
Static character-
A static character does not undergo significant change. Whether round or flat, their personalities remain essentially stable through out the course of the story. This is commonly done with secondary characters in order to let them serve as thematic or plot elements.
E.g. supporting characters and major characters other than protagonist are generally static.
Stereotypical or stock characters-
These characters are often the basis of flat characters, though elements of stock characters can be found in round characters also. They do not change through out the story.
This gives a brief idea about the art of characterization in a short story and also tells how characterization contributes to make a short story interesting and finally popular by touching the heart of the reader.
How to analyze a short story
Explain the title. In what way is it suitable to the story?
What is the predominant element in the story – plot, theme, character, setting?
Who is the single main character about. whom the story centres?
What sort of conflict confronts the leading character or characters?
external?
internal?
How is the conflict resolved?
How does the author handle characterization?
by description?
conversation of the characters?
actions of the characters?
combination of these methods?
Who tells the story? What point of view is used?
first person?
omniscient?
Where does the primary action take place?
What is the time setting for the action? Period of history? Season? Time of day?
How much time does the story cover?
a few minutes?
a lifetime?
how long?
How does the story get started? What is the initial incident?
Briefly describe the rising action of the story.
What is the high point, or climax, of the story?
Discuss the falling action or close of the story.
Does this story create any special mood?
Is this story realistic or true to life? Explain your answers by giving examples.
Are the events or incidents of the plot presented in flashback or in chronological order?
Was the selection written as a short story or is it a condensation or excerpt? Is it taken from a collection of stories?
What is the general theme of the story? What is the underlying theme? Can you name any other stories with a similar theme?
Did you identify with any of the characters?
Does this story contain any of the following elements?
symbolism?
incongruity?
suspense?
surprise ending ?
irony?
satire?
Was there a villain in the story? a hero? a dynamic character?
Can you find any examples of figurative language?
simile?
metaphor?
personification?
Does the story contain a single effect or impression for the read er? If so, what?
Name one major personality trait of each leading character, and tell how the author makes the reader conscious of this trait.
Does the story have a moral? If not, what do you think the purpose of the author was?
How to Analyze Short Story Characterization
Characterization is the means an author uses to describe or develop a character for the reader. The brevity of a short story insures that there will be few characters. The main character is the only character who is really developed, so characterization in a short story is fairly easy to analyze.
Instructions
1. Step 1
Name the main character. Sometimes in a short story, the main character will be the only character. Other times there will be a few characters but only one who is mentioned repeatedly throughout the story. Your analysis of characterization needs to focus on the main character.
2. Step 2
List the main character’s physical attributes. As you read the story, keep a running list of any physical descriptions of the main character. The author may reveal the character’s height, age, hair color, style of dress or other things about his appearance. Since the story is short, the author won’t have time to describe everything about the main character. Therefore, the details he does reveal are important and will probably give you clues about the character. For example, if the main character is described as having a sinister smile, the writer is not only using alliteration to color his writing, he is pointing out that there is something evil about the character.
3. Step 3
Identify character traits the main character displays. An author can reveal character traits in a description of the character’s appearance or in how he acts and what other characters in the story say about him. Characterization in a short story is usually somewhat one-dimensional. The main character may be evil, unpleasant and unhappy or helpful, caring and giving. She won’t usually display contradicting qualities.
4. Step 4
Consider the source of your information when deciding how accurate it is. What another character says about the main character may be more reliable than what he says about himself.
5. Step 5
Notice how you learned about the main character. Writers have different ways of describing a character in a short story. They can use narration to describe the character, dialogue to reveal her attributes, or some combination of techniques.
How to Analyze Short Story Plot
Instructions
- Step 1:
List the events. A short story usually has one main character around whom all the action takes place. Your list of events for any short story will probably consist of the movements of the main character. Also make note of mental or emotional events that take place with respect to the main character, such as he learned how his mother died, he understood why his mother left him, and he stopped feeling sad.
- Step 2:
Create a timeline. Take your list of events and put them in chronological order. Sometimes a short story begins with a flashback, in which case the events of the story are presented out of order. Arrange your list of events in chronological order, even if that isn’t the order in which they took place in the story.
- Step 3:
Identify the conflict. Conflict is what compels the reader to continue reading, so all well-written short stories have a conflict. It may be as obvious as a struggle between two characters in the story, or it can be subtle, like the main character’s internal struggle to decide what is right. Identifying the conflict will help you understand the plot, since the plot is the main character’s journey toward resolving the conflict.
- Step 4:
Find the climax. The climax of a short story happens when the tension heightens just before the conflict is resolved. In a mystery, for example, the climax is just before you find out who the killer is. The climax of a short story takes place shortly before the end of the story. After the climax, the writer ties up the loose ends and the story is over.
How to Identify a Short Story Theme
Instructions
- Step 1:
Understand the main character. Analyzing the main character is an important part of discovering the theme. List the physical and intangible attributes of the main character. Decide if the reader is supposed to identify with the main character or if she is someone the reader doesn’t (or shouldn’t) want to be.
- Step 2:
Identify the conflict. The conflict in a short story always involves the main character. The conflict can be between the main character and another, society or some force of nature, or within the main character himself. Figure out specifically who or what the main character is struggling against in the short story.
- Step 3:
Know how the conflict is resolved. The resolution of the conflict can give the reader a big clue as to the theme of a short story. Who wins the conflict is the writer’s way of telling the reader which force was better. If an evil main character, one you wouldn’t admire, wins out over some force of nature, the theme will have a negative slant.
- Step 4:
Make a generalization. Look at the main character, her conflict and how it was resolved to determine the theme of the story. Start by understanding what the main character learned in the short story. Then, generalize that lesson to apply to everyone. If the main character learned not to trust her friend who just won the lottery, the theme of the short story may be that money changes people.
How to Write a Response Paper
Response essays don’t have to be a mere statement of opinion on a particular topic. Instead, they should be formulated as a critical reflection on it. Most response essays address one issue, a contextual complexity of several issues, or the context in which the aforesaid issues are originally presented. Consequently, writing a response to anything mentioned above will require a thoughtful insight into the subject-matter on many different levels.
Response Paper Step-by-Step
Response essay, regardless of its focus, will be always composed of strong thesis, well-developed body essay and a conclusion which addresses any prospective criticism.
Response Paper Thesis
Thesis announces what topic or source is about to undergo the ensuing critique. It ought to clarify which aspect of the source will be considered and briefly explain why. Thesis should be as inventive as possible and address researched material so that all supporting evidence can be referenced with authority. It should be written in an arresting overtone, sound fresh and convince the reader that reading the content is really worthwhile.
Response Paper Body Essay
- Situate author’s opinions in the scientific or critical context from which they are derived. Readers need some background in order to develop a critical attitude to the discussed subject.
- Relate his or her opinions to that context. Readers must know in what ways the source addresses its original context.
- Pay attention to detail – verification of data provided by the original author might be needed as well as getting acquainted with any references he or she made. It may be also necessary to look up the meaning of some words, their origin, or definitions of crucial terms.
- Agree and disagree by always providing explanations, arguments and examples. Even though response essays are based on opinion-making all arguments should be elaborate and somehow justified.
- Provide objective and critical information rather than a set of personal impressions.
- Express your own opinion and support it by any evidence there is.
- Construct correct paragraphs.
- Abide by the rules of academic language.
Response Paper Conclusion
Conclusion should restate the most important points of the essay. It also should summarize author’s approach to the source information. Other than that, it should briefly relate to the possible criticism of thesis presented in the essay or justify author’s stance if it’s somehow unique in the given context.
Successful response papers must not only reflect on source information but, as much as it’s possible, provide alternative views and illustrate their relevance avoiding, at the same time, cliché statements.
