Reading Response Guidelines

Meaning: Identifying the "Big Idea" (message or lesson learned) and use examples from
the story to prove your idea

Eg of themes which can be included as well as a meaning: Courage, Friendship, Hope, Being
Yourself

Connections: Making meaningful connections to the theme

Ex: Text to Self (personal or family experiences or memories)

Text to Media (books, movies, music)

Text to World (real life current or past events)

Structures & Features: Identify what the author does to capture and sustain a reader's
attention

Ex: Poetic Devices: Rhyming, Simile, Personification

Organization: Titles and Headings

Illustrations: bubbles, diagrams, drawings

Critical Judgement: Providing your opinion of the text and explain how the theme can be
applied to your own life, or the world