This document provides instructions for answering questions about a work of literature. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) restating the question, 2) answering the question, 3) providing a concrete detail from the text to support the answer, 4) analyzing the detail with commentary, and 5) analyzing relevant literary elements. The final line is a sample question that could be answered using this process, stating that the novel is about finding a place and finding oneself.

1. Answering Questions Directions: Answer the following questions with a response that demonstrates your ability to use concrete detail and commentary. I am looking for an analysis of the text and reference to specific literary elements (e.g. theme, metaphor, simile, alliteration, etc). This novel is as much about finding a place as it is about finding one’s self.

2. Answering Questions Answer the following questions with a response that demonstrates your ability to use concrete detail and commentary. What does this mean? Write complete sentences that analyze the meaning of the question and its importance to the work of literature This novel is as much about finding a place as it is about finding one’s self.

3. Answering Questions Step 1: Restate the question in the response For example: How do these words create a vivid visual of the house? The narrator’s words create a vivid visual of the house by appealing to the reader’s senses of sight and touch. This novel is as much about finding a place as it is about finding one’s self.

4. Answering Questions Step 2: Answer the question For example: How do these words create a vivid visual of the house? The narrator’s words create a vivid visual of the house by appealing to the reader’s senses of sight and touch. The words utilize imagery to appeal to the senses and allow the reader to paint a mental picture of the house and provide a tone of sadness or embarrassment. This novel is as much about finding a place as it is about finding one’s self.

5. Answering Questions Step 3: Provide a concrete detail to support opinion For example: How do these words create a vivid visual of the house? The narrator’s words create a vivid visual of the house by appealing to the reader’s senses of sight and touch. The words utilize imagery to appeal to the senses and allow the reader to paint a mental picture of the house and provide a tone of sadness or embarrassment. She says, “bricks crumbling in some places and the door is so swollen you have to push hard to get in” (4). This novel is as much about finding a place as it is about finding one’s self.

6. Answering Questions Step 4: Analyze with commentary For example: How do these words create a vivid visual of the house? The narrator’s words create a vivid visual of the house by appealing to the reader’s senses of sight and touch. The words utilize imagery to appeal to the senses and allow the reader to paint a mental picture of the house and provide a tone of sadness or embarrassment. She says, “bricks crumbling in some places and the door is so swollen you have to push hard to get in” (4). The bricks are in a state of disrepair but not just “old” or “bad.” They are “crumbling” (4), which paints a picture of the house as falling apart. This novel is as much about finding a place as it is about finding one’s self.

7. Answer Questions Step 5: Analyze literary elements For example: How do these words create a vivid visual of the house ? The narrator’s words create a vivid visual of the house by appealing to the reader’s senses of sight and touch. The words utilize imagery to appeal to the senses and allow the reader to paint a mental picture of the house and provide a tone of sadness or embarrassment. She says, “bricks crumbling in some places and the door is so swollen you have to push hard to get in” (4). The bricks are in a state of disrepair but not just “old” or “bad.” They are “crumbling” (4), which paints a picture of the house as falling apart. This appears to be a symbol for how the character struggles with her self perception and her role in her family. This novel is as much about finding a place as it is about finding one’s self.