Family Lessons

“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?

•  The characters seem very realistic to me. I actually have a cousin named Clayton who is terrified of my horse. It may be useful to tell the ages of the characters however because it would give a better description of the characters.

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/why not?

•  I feel that the two characters in the story are adequate. They are what the story is about and there is no need to include any other minor characters.

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

• The plot is very entertaining. I agree with the author that it seems silly to ride a bull instead of a horse.

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?

• The author could be more descriptive about the place where she works. She could also describe the setting of the grandmother’s home. If her other relatives were there. A scene that seems to be missing would be that of the waiting to see if she is a positive match. This would be an intense time and would seem like hours. This would be a good place for details and feelings.

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?

• The dialogue is very realistic. When she speaks with her cousin it all seems possible.

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

•  The author just needs some more details and involvement into the waiting period to see if she is a match. This would be helpful in making the plot more entertaining.