Writings About Dislikes and Likes
Writing About Likes and Dislikes:
Responding to Literature
The act of reading is accompanied by emotional responses which, at the simplest level, take the form of pleasure or displeasure: You either like or dislike a poem, story, or play. You have not said much, however, if all you say is that you have liked or disliked something. Writing about likes and dislikes should require you to explain the reasons for your responses. In short, your discussion should be informed and informative.
Sometimes a first response is that a work is “boring.” This response is usually a mask covering an incomplete and superficial first reading; it is neither informed nor informative. As you study most works, however, you will become drawn into them. One common word that describes this process is interest; to be interested in a work is to be taken into it emotionally. Another word is involvement; it suggests that one’s emotions become almost enfolded in the characters, problems, and outcomes of a work. But sometimes these two words are used defensively, much like the word “boring.” It is easy to say that it was “interesting” or you were “involved,” but you might be saying these things hoping that no one will ask you to explain why. In this case, you are being asked to explain your reasons.
Using Your Early Reading Response Notes
No one, not even your English teacher, can tell you what you should or should not like. While your experience of reading is still fresh, you should refer back to your reading notes (from assignment two). Build on to these notes if necessary and discuss whether or not you liked what you read.
Be frank in your judgement. Write down your likes and dislikes and try to explain the reasons for your response, even if they are brief and incomplete.
Example:
I like “The Necklace” because of the surprise ending. It isn’t that I like the Mathilde’s bad luck, but I like the way that the author, Maupassant, hides the most important
Responding to Literature
The act of reading is accompanied by emotional responses which, at the simplest level, take the form of pleasure or displeasure: You either like or dislike a poem, story, or play. You have not said much, however, if all you say is that you have liked or disliked something. Writing about likes and dislikes should require you to explain the reasons for your responses. In short, your discussion should be informed and informative.
Sometimes a first response is that a work is “boring.” This response is usually a mask covering an incomplete and superficial first reading; it is neither informed nor informative. As you study most works, however, you will become drawn into them. One common word that describes this process is interest; to be interested in a work is to be taken into it emotionally. Another word is involvement; it suggests that one’s emotions become almost enfolded in the characters, problems, and outcomes of a work. But sometimes these two words are used defensively, much like the word “boring.” It is easy to say that it was “interesting” or you were “involved,” but you might be saying these things hoping that no one will ask you to explain why. In this case, you are being asked to explain your reasons.
Using Your Early Reading Response Notes
No one, not even your English teacher, can tell you what you should or should not like. While your experience of reading is still fresh, you should refer back to your reading notes (from assignment two). Build on to these notes if necessary and discuss whether or not you liked what you read.
Be frank in your judgement. Write down your likes and dislikes and try to explain the reasons for your response, even if they are brief and incomplete.
Example:
I like “The Necklace” because of the surprise ending. It isn’t that I like the Mathilde’s bad luck, but I like the way that the author, Maupassant, hides the most important