PERSONAL RESPONSE PERSONAL RESPONSE The Personal Response is

PERSONAL RESPONSE

PERSONAL RESPONSE The Personal Response is the first writing assignment on the Diploma Exam It tests your ability to respond to a prescribed text(s), and develop ideas and impressions that will be built upon in the Critical/Analytical

MARKING The personal Response is marked in two categories: � Ideas and Impressions (10) The exploration of the topic The ideas and reflection Support in relation to ideas and impressions � Presentation (10) Voice (in context) Stylistic choices and tone Unifying effect

EXAMPLE Read the personal response question Notice how the question on the personal response is that same as the essay question

CHOICES You have three choices when writing the personal response: � Analytical � Creative � Personal

ANALYTICAL An analytical response would analyze the text or texts given based on the question. You may choose one of the texts, or more than one. You should have an introduction and a conclusion. You should have 2 or 3 body paragraphs. If you are following P-P-D, try to have 2 or 3 per body paragraph. Embedded quotes would be beneficial, but not necessary (especially if writing on the visual). You may use an outside text, but it is not necessary.

CREATIVE You can write a creative piece, including, but not limited to: �A short story � A play � A diary/journal � An article

CREATIVE The best creative pieces: � Avoid cliches (like love, marriage, death) and write about simple but profound ideas � Focus on the development of character rather than the development of plot � Have the character come to a profound realization about life or a universal truth

CREATIVE REMEMBER: � You MUST refer to one of the texts provided in order not to receive a zero How will you accomplish this? � Your character can be from the reading � You can refer to a character in the picture/visual � You can refer to an object or situation in the texts

PERSONAL RESPONSE A personal response contains an analysis of one of the provided texts, and a personal component – these two ideas should be closely related There is not set structure for organizing this type of writing. You may start with an introduction, or you may begin with your personal experience It may be effective to refer to the text first, but it can also be saved until the end Your personal experience should be meaningful and captivating. It must be believable. The best personal responses capture the emotions of the reader through the emotions shared in the writing – your reader should EMPATHIZE with you