Characterization Paragraphs, On/Under the Surface Trees, Annotating,  Dialectical Journal Responses, and Literary Devices

Click here for instructions, a sample paragraph, rubric and more info on how to write a characterization paragraph or essay.

2. ON THE SURFACE & UNDER THE SURFACE TREE

Click here to find out how to do an On the Surface and Under the Surface Tree.

Download the scoring guide for On the Surface and Under the Surface Reading Response Trees

Purpose of this teaching technique developed by Gary Shapiro is to:  

• increase reading comprehension,
• enhance student awareness of the author's craft,
• elicit deeper understanding and connections to a text,
• be used as a study tool.

3.  ANNOTATING

Click here for information about annotating literature.   You'll find student answers to why we annotate as we read, what one should annotate, and how annotations will be graded.

4.  DIALECTICAL JOURNAL RESPONSE

Click here for a list of responses in a dialectical journal. 

5.  LITERARY DEVICES

Click here for a list of Literary devices: what should you be looking for as you read?  What literary terms should students be learning?