Passage Response Directions

Passage Response Directions

"I don't know what I think until I see what I've read"  -E.M. Forster  
 
Purpose: The passage response writing exercise allows us to develop close analytical reading skills as well as an appreciation of the depth and beauty of a work.  Selecting and analyzing a literary passage allows us to focus on and think about the details we tend to pass over when reading for the first time.  It forces us to consider and appreciate the author's choice of words and syntax.  By carefully examining the parts, we can better understand and appreciate the whole.  It is through writing that we are able to make our thoughts about something clear.  When we respond to a text, we make a connection with it.  We interpret for ourselves the meaning we discover and we begin to make sense out of an idea.  We connect that idea to our past and present understanding. 
 

Procedure:

1. As you read, watch for passages that intrigue you.  Select a passage that interests you, raises questions or thoughts, uses particularly powerful language, or creates images that affect you. 
 

2.  Type the passage verbatim, followed by the page number.  The length of the passage will vary.  Copy only what is essential. 
 

3. Write your response.  Include:  



a. Explain the context of the passage.  What has gone on before/ is about to happen?  Who is speaking (narrator, character, author)?  What is going on in the passage as it relates to the development of characters, theme, etc?  This is NOT a plot summary, but rather a quick way to ground your passage.  You should be able to do this in 2 to 4 sentences.  
 

b. Why did you select this passage?  Directly or indirectly reveal why this passage jumped out at you.  What about the language struck you?  What about the passage puzzled or interested you?  Does it connect to something else you have read either in this book or another?  Does it connect to something you have experienced?
 

c. Discuss the significance of the passage.  Why is this passage important?  What does the passage mean in relation to the text as a whole?  How does the passage relate to specific character, themes, scenes, etc?  What is the author's purpose (inform, persuade, entertain) and how do you know? Consider various possible interpretations, supporting each with available evidence and evaluating the relative strengths of each interpretation.  Discuss specific words or phrases.  Why might the author use these certain words (as opposed to other similar words)?  What do these words imply?  Consider different literary techniques used by the author (figurative language, allusion, symbolism, diction, patterns, etc) and why the author may have used them?  Discuss how the use of specific words and phrases does or does not support possible interpretation of the passage.
 

*You can choose to label each part of your response (a,b,c) and write them separately or integrate all parts of your response into a larger piece which follows a natural flow (like the sample).

 

Passage Response Sample

Name: Rene Ohana

Date: June 24, 2010

Book: Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
 

"Then, just like that, the green kite was spinning and wheeling out of control (370).   



    This passage occurs near the end of the book when Amir has taken Sohrab to the United States, but is struggling to help him feel at home.  It indicates a break though in their relationship, because when the two fly this kite together it is the fist time that Sohrab seems happy.  The title of the book, Kite Runner, and the regular reference to kites suggest that the image of the kite is important, but the symbolism of the kite itself has many possible interpretations, as does this passage that refers to the final kite flying of the book.

    Perhaps the kite is a symbol of childlike innocence, as suggested by the fact that Hassan and Amir fly kites primarily during their childhood, and stop doing so after the assault ends their innocence.  Sohrab is attempting to regain his own innocence and so the act of flying this final kite could represent a step towards attaining that.  However, the strong connection between kite flying and Hassan's sexual assault makes innocence an unlikely meaning.  

    Perhaps the kite is a vehicle for representing the class system, as indicated by the earlier kite flying episodes when Amir, who belongs to the upper class, flies the kite and Hassan, his servant, runs for it.  Further demonstrating the class inequity, it is Hassan who retrieves the kite, but it is Amir who receives the praise for having it.  If the kite is a representation of the class system, then Amir and Sohrab flying the kite together at the end might represent Amir's acceptance of Sohrab and Hassan as his equals.

    Perhaps most likely is that the kite is a symbol of the many complex relationship between Amir and Hassan.   The act of cutting seems to suggest an aggressiveness that unfortunately characterizes the relationship between the two boys.  Amir craves affection from his father, which Hassan seems to win without effort, creating an antagonism between the two boys that ultimately costs the two their friendship.  The act of cutting seems to represent the extent to which Amir was willing to cut off his friendship with Hassan and let him fall, like a broken kite, to be claimed by others, when he was unable to face his own shame.

    This particular passage appears at the end of the book, when Amir is flying the kite with Hassan's son,  Sohrab.  Thus, it recalls the original connection between Hassan and Amir with all its strengths and weaknesses, but also suggests the possibility of a new and equally important relationship between Amir and Sohrab. The kite is "green", which because it is often associated with jealousy, may recall the original relationship between Amir and Hassan, but it is also the color of spring and new beginnings like the one between Hassan and Sohrab.  By loving Sohrab,  Hassan's son, Amir is able to make  amends for his mistakes with Hassan and prove his love for his brother.  Ultimately, through this final episode of kite flying, Hosseini tells us that it is possible to redeem ones self.

 

Name:

Period:

Passage Response Rubric

Please attach this rubric to the front of your passage response journals.
 

Awesome	Passage is presented in the context of the larger book, including character development or theme Thoughtful, insightful, original ideas about the passage's connections to the larger book (possibly considering theme, character, symbolism, etc), as well as either additional texts or experiences. Detailed analysis of how the author's style and language within the passage support the meaning or significance of the passage and author's purpose. Demonstrates original and insightful ideas about the significance of the passage by weighing various possible interpretations Very few errors. Appropriate degree of formality.
Good	    Passage is presented in the context of the plot of the larger book.     Makes connections between the passage and other parts of the book or additional texts or experiences     Thorough understanding of the passage's significance within book.     Considers how the author's style and language support the meaning of significance of the passage. Few errors in spelling, grammar, etc. Appropriate for audience.
Okay	    Demonstrates basic understanding of the passage's significance within the book.     Makes connections to other experiences.     Addresses the author's style and language within the passage. Errors in spelling, grammar, etc do not hinder ability to communicate ideas.
Needs work	    Demonstrates understanding of the passage or of the larger book, but needs to look more closely at the passage's significance to the book.     Needs to consider author's style and language within the passage. Errors in spelling, usage, grammar etc hinder your ability to communicate ideas.
Uh Oh	See me.

 
*rubric score may be prorated due to incomplete passage response journals or failure to evenly space journals throughout the book