HOW TO WRITE A REACTION PAPER Source: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/rwc/handouts/the-writing-process-1/invention/Writing-a-Response-or-Reaction-Paper Starting the Paper -A reaction paper focuses on the perception of writers as they closely examine their response to what they see with their own eyes or read using their critical thinking skills. As the essay writer, you will examine the subject or text drawing on your own experiences and critical thinking skills to report your findings. In these reports—often referred to as response or reaction papers—your instructor will most likely expect you to do two things: summarize the material and detail your reaction to it. The following pages explain both parts of a report. PART 1: A SUMMARY OF THE WORK To develop the first part of a report, do the following: Identify the subject to be examined. Write an informative summary of the material. Condense the content by highlighting the main points and key supporting points. Summarize the material so that the reader gets a general sense of all key aspects of the subject to which you are reacting. Do not discuss in great detail any single aspect of the work, and do not neglect to mention other equally important points. Also, keep the summary objective and factual. Do not include in the first part of the paper your personal reaction to the work; your subjective impression will form the basis of the second part of your paper. Week 3 Discussion Week 3 - Reaction Paper Quiz HOW TO WRITE A REACTION PAPER Source: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/rwc/handouts/the-writing-process-1/invention/Writing-a-Response-or-Reaction-Paper Starting the Paper A reaction paper focuses on the perception of writers as they closely examine their response to what they see with their own eyes or read using their critical thinking skills. As the essay writer, you will examine the subject or text drawing on your own experiences and critical thinking skills to report your findings. In these reports—often referred to as response or reaction papers—your instructor will most likely expect you to do two things: summarize the material and detail your reaction to it. The following pages explain both parts of a report. PART 1: A SUMMARY OF THE WORK To develop the first part of a report, do the following: Identify the subject to be examined. Write an informative summary of the material. Condense the content by highlighting the main points and key supporting points. Summarize the material so that the reader gets a general sense of all key aspects of the subject to which you are reacting. Do not discuss in great detail any single aspect of the work, and do not neglect to mention other equally important points. Also, keep the summary objective and factual. Do not include in the first part of the paper your personal reaction to the work; your subjective impression will form the basis of the second part of your paper. PART 2: YOUR REACTION TO THE WORK To develop the second part of a report, do the following: - Focus on any or all of the following questions. Check with your instructor to see if s/he wants you to emphasize specific points. How is the work related to problems in our present-day world? How is the material related to your life, experiences, feelings and ideas? For instance, what emotions did the work arouse in you? Did the work increase your understanding of a particular issue? Did it change your perspective in any way? Evaluate the merit of the work: the importance of its points, its accuracy, completeness, organization, and so on. POINTS OF CONSIDERATION WHEN WRITING THE REPORT -Here are some important elements to consider as you prepare a report: Apply the four basic standards of effective writing (unity, support, coherence, and clear, error-free sentences) when writing the report. Make sure each major paragraph presents and then develops a single main point. For example, the first paragraph should summarize the work or subject, and the paragraphs that follow should detail the reactions of the student writer to the work or subject. The student then closes the report with a short concluding paragraph. Support any general points you make or attitudes you express with specific reasons and details. Organize your material. Follow the basic plan of organization explained above: a summary of one or more paragraphs, a reaction of two or more paragraphs, and a conclusion. Also, use transitions to make the relationships among ideas in the paper clear. Edit the paper carefully for errors in grammar, mechanics, punctuation, word use, and spelling. Cite paraphrased or quoted material from sources by using the appropriate documentation style. If you are unsure what documentation style is required or recommended, ask you instructor. Use research only to emphasize key ideas. Publishing information can be incorporated parenthetically or at the bottom of the page in a footnote.