SampleReactionPaper.pdf

Reaction Paper # 2—After reading this week’s notes “Reading Fiction” and “Graduation” by Maya

Angelou, complete reaction paper 2 as described below.

Discussed in the notes this week are 6 elements of fiction: Tone, Plot, Characterization, Setting, Theme

and Point of View. Choose one element (other than POV) and reflect on how Angelou uses it in her

writing. Give specific examples and quotes from the text to show how she uses the element and its

effect on the story. Be sure to quote correctly (using quotation marks and providing paragraph #s).

Remember that reaction papers should be 1-2 pages, double-spaced.

Below is a brief sample of how to discuss one of the elements with examples from the text. The example

discusses the use of point of view in the story:

Maya Angelou’s story “Graduation,” is told from first-person point of view, told through the

main character, Marguerite Johnson. Although it is not yet clear who the narrator is within the first 5

paragraphs, in paragraph 6 Angelou writes, “In the Store I was the person of the moment.” Thus, we are

introduced to the narrator of the story. The rest of the story uses pronouns such as we, me, my which

solidifies the narrator’s point of view.

Hearing the story unfold from first-person POV gives credibility to the theme of the story.

Maguerite Johnson is one of the graduates excited to be graduating, and is present at every point of the

story—from the events leading up to the day, the events during the ceremony, and her feelings about

what has occurred.

In paragraph 7, she tells us, “My class was wearing buttery-yellow piqué dresses, and Momma

launched out mine.” She goes on to describe the expert way her mother crafted her dress. It is clear

from all of her descriptions that she, her family and the community looked toward the day with great

anticipation, even though as the narrator states, “I was only twelve years old and merely graduating

from the eighth grade” (paragraph 8). She goes on to explain that many teachers in the Arkansas Negro

schools had the same diploma but were able to teach. This shows that at the time, an eighth-grade

graduation was quite an achievement which could lead to possible (anticipated) professions…

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