Family Lessons Response Questions

1.       Are you able to picture the characters in your head?  What other character-related details would enable you to “see” the writer’s characters?

I wasn’t able to see the characters aside from my own imagination of what they looked like.  If they were described better such as how skinny Clayton was, which would enable foreshadowing of the accident to come, or overall features would help the reader to reach a clearer image.

2.       What other characters would you like to see in the story?  Are there any characters that you would take out of the story?  Why/or why not?

I would like to see more of her family.  In the story there wasn’t a lot of emphasis on her family it was just her and her cousin.  Adding more emphasis on the family in the story will bring out their overall relationship and reveal how close they are.

3.       Is the plot/action entertaining?  What could the writer do to “spice” up the action?

I think the plot is very entertaining.  I was definitely engaged in the story to find out what was going to happen to her cousin.

4.       Can you picture where the story/action takes place?  Why or why not?  What else could the writer do to establish the setting of the story?  Are there any crucial scenes that are underdeveloped or completely omitted?

I am able to picture where the story takes place but I think, if possible, more details could be added to paint a clearer picture.  If the writer could flashback to the scene of when her cousin got injured and explain a little more about what would happen I think that would add a lot more to the story.

5.       Does the dialogue in the story seem realistic?  What could the writer do to improve the dialogue?  Where would you like to see less/more dialogue?

I think the dialogue could be a little stronger in the story.  It could show more of her feelings toward her cousin because in the story it seems like she is very insensitive towards him.  She shows little confidence in her cousin and his idea to go to the bull riding competition.

6.       What can the writer do to revise this essay and make it better?

The writer can add more dialogue; explain her overall relationship with her family, character description, detailed setting, and more dialogue.  The story was very engaging and with a few minor changes it could make it even better.