August 18th, 2016
How to Write a Reaction Paper
When assigned with the task to complete a reaction paper, make sure you clearly know what this type of academic project is all about. A response or a reaction paper requires you to analyze the text and give efficient commentary that is relevant to it. The assignment is highly popular among the college and university students since in the process of learning how to write a reaction paper student learns doing careful and thoughtful research, reading, as well as professional writing. Make sure to get a better idea of how to write a reaction paper through following the guidance given below.
Understand the Response Paper Idea
The response or reaction paper is assigned so that once the student is done with the reading part, he/she can have new thoughts on the subject. Get a better idea of what the weaknesses and strengths of the text are. Make sure to know whether the content successfully accomplishes its core objective. It’s not about giving your own opinion, but about responding to the implied ideas of the text, as well as elaborating, evaluating and analyzing the key points and the purpose of the author.
Find Out What the Task Demands from You
Before you start writing, make sure to understand what your tutor is asking for. While some college professors want their students to react through analyzing or evaluating the text, the others give preference to a personal response. Find out what kind of reaction you can to provide this time.
Read the Text
To get the response paper done, you’re not supposed to only read the given text, provide your own viewpoint and turn in the project. The response paper is the kind of an academic assignment that synthesizes the text. In other words, you take the info you get and make sure to bring it together to both evaluate and analyze. It is crucial to have enough time to do the reading part; however, it is more important to efficiently digest what you have already read in order to bring the ideas together. Never put the reading up to the last minute – you need your time to consider all the facts. Who knows, maybe you will need to read the text more than just once – that’s O.K.
Keep Track of Your Initial Thoughts and Reactions
Once you’re done with the first time reading, make sure to describe your initial reactions to what you’ve read. Ensure to do any sort of related reading you may be required to do. The words’ combinations like ‘I feel that…’, ‘To my opinion…’, ‘I personally think that…’ will help you to complete your observations list.
Choose Your Angle
The response paper must be critical, as well as comprise some evaluation of the text. If not, all you do is just summing up what you’ve read. Think about why the author decided to create the article the way he has.
Why did the author structure the things this particular way? Is it somehow related to the outside world? What interesting things do you have to say about it? This is your response.