Writing a Response Paper

Daniela Munca, ETRC, 2010

What is a Response Paper?

• A statement of students’ opinion on a particular topic

• a critical reflection on a piece of writing (book, poem, article, news, etc.), movie, painting, play, etc.

• require a thoughtful insight into the subject-matter on many different levels

The purposes of a response :

• To relate your observation of a work or event• to show your personal reaction to a work or

event• to demonstrate your ability to validate your

response• to communicate in writing your personal

viewpoint and personal learning as they relate specifically to the book, essay, paper, article, etc

• to artfully make a connection between the subject at hand and your own experience

Questions to be Adressed: • l. What (meanings, values, etc.) was the author

trying to promote?

2. What is my personal position relative to the author's. How do you feel about what you are reading? What do you agree or disagree with?

3. How has reading and reflecting on this affected my lived world experience?

4. What would be the best way to evaluate the story / movie / play / song ?

Writing Strategies

* Use examples from the text to convincingly support the claims you're making

* When quoting extensively, take time to explain the specific parts in the long quote that prove your point

* Refer to specific moments in the poem that clarify your idea/s for the reade

* Mention the source (name, date, publication, pages. etc)

Evaluation:

• There is no "correct" answer in a response paper. • Your response can be either favorable or

unfavorable• The main criterion is how well you support your

comments• Be careful not to rely merely on vague

generalization• Be sure you refer to those specific aspects of the

work which produced your response

Student Checklist

• Start with your overall impression. Listen to your thoughts. Write them down.

• Decide what made you feel that way. Draft a paragraph on each idea, and give details and examples to support each point.

• Determine what caused that response and write supporting details.

Structure

• Response essay, regardless of its focus, will be always composed of:– strong thesis, – well-developed body essay and – a conclusion which addresses any prospective

criticism

Response Paper Thesis• announces what topic or source is about to

undergo the ensuing critique• clarifies which aspect of the source will be

considered and briefly explain why• addresses researched material so that all

supporting evidence can be referenced with authority

• should sound fresh and convince the reader that reading the content is really worthwhile

Pitfalls:• Failure to state your response clearly.

• Failure to mention what aspects of the work or event affect your response.

• Failure to show as well as tell. Support your reactions with examples from the work or event so that the reader sees the reason for your response.

Two Paragraphs Response Essays

• 1) Summary• 2) Critique

• Introduction: • Summary• Personal opinion• Conclusion

Response Paper Body Essay• Situate author’s opinions in the scientific or critical

context from which they are derived• Relate his or her opinions to that context• Pay attention to detail• Agree and disagree by always providing explanations,

arguments and examples. • Even though response essays are based on opinion-

making all arguments should be elaborate and somehow justified !!!

• Provide objective and critical information rather than a set of personal impressions.

• Express your own opinion and support it by any evidence there is.

Vocabulary / Useful PhrasesMy Reaction to What I Just Read Is That . . .

I think that• I see that• I feel that• It seems that• In my opinion,• Because

• A good quote is• In addition,• For example,• Moreover,• However,

• Consequently,• Finally,

• In conclusion,

Daniela Muncadanielamunca@gmail.com