<p> Gut Reactions</p><p>Joe Smith</p><p>College in the High School English </p><p>Title/Author of the piece you’re critiquing</p><p>Date</p><p>Your Title</p><p>Gut reactions are short, incisive, personal, written reactions to literary works made while reading them. They are intended to be no more than initial, personal responses to a new reading experience, though they can lead to longer, more substantial responses dealing with questions of theme, meaning, imagery, style, technique…</p><p>Respond to these questions with your gut reaction toward the work.</p><p>1. My first significant reactions to the characters (or events). What in the work caused them?</p><p>2. The first thoughts, ideas, or themes found in the work. What caused them?</p><p>3. What is the central problem or plight or issue in the work? Why do you think so?</p><p>4. What were the first things you liked/disliked about the work? Initially, did you think you’d like or dislike it?</p><p>5. What details (actions, dialogue, imagery, symbols, descriptions) initially interested you in this work? Why?</p><p>6. What is your reaction to the ending? Was it what you expected? Was it “good”? Why?</p><p>Submit 2 gut reactions to Mrs. Dahl before the end of the semester. Make sure you complete your reaction shortly after you read the work.</p>