Creative Response Rationales–What are they? (with acknowledgement to Hawker College)A rationaleis required with all creative responses –written and non-written. Its purpose is to link your creative response to the text.Therefore your rationale will be assessed on:1.The quality of your ideas2.Your depth of understanding of the text3.The ability to make links with the text4.Fluency of expression5.Use of supporting detailsBecause the range of possibilities forthis assignment is so enormous,students must consult with their teacher in the writing of the rationale.Length:500-600 wordsStyle:Formal–should be in essay format.However you may use “I” in your rationale.Some questions you could answer:Why did I choose that form of response –eg short story, poem etcWhy did I choose that particular part of the text on which to base my response?What are the main ideas in the text that I have used in my response?How are these ideas conveyed differently or similarly to the text?Whatoriginal aspects have I added. Why did I choose to do those, in relation to the text?Why did I choose that arrangement (if non-written) of my response? What is its wider significance?Why did I choose to use certain symbols?
Your rationale is written in three parts, but do notinclude the following headings.Part 1:Introductory comments on the stimulus you are responding to:The origins of your ideas (eg reading, discussion, watching a movie or documentary, news item, personal experience, a combination of the former ...)Part 2:Purpose:What themes in the literature are you focusing on?What themes or issues are you developing?What are you trying to achieve (eg an exploration of themes, a critique of the material, the statement of a personal philosophy, a restatement of themes for a contemporary audience, raising a question? etc)Part 3:Justification of format: Justify the format you have chosen ...how does it help to develop the themes and overall purpose of your Creative Response?Brieflyexplain and justify the key features of your creative response.You should explain why you have chosen a particular genre or medium and what it adds to your explanation of your chosen themes or issues.If the piece is a narrative, you should explain point of view, mood, setting, choice of characters, imagery, style, etc.If the piece is poetry, you should explain the form, imagery, language techniques used, etc.In a non-written creative response, you should explain elements of composition, colour, texture etc.REMEMBER:This is an exercise in literary analysis -your response must:Show an analysis of the text(s)Show depth of thought; andNOT be merely descriptiveYour response will be assessed on its presentation and finish.