Reaction papers will be based on clarity, relevance, depth of thought, and completeness. Reaction papers will
be 500-550 words.
Reaction papers have two parts: a summary of the issue and your reaction(s) to it. Summaries should be *brief* (i.e., 50-75
words) - their goal is to orient the reader to the topic. In the summary section, your job is to explain the issue so that readers
understand the general topic. It does not discuss all details of an argument or concept, but does include critical points. This
part of the paper should be objective and factual; it should not include your reaction or subjective impression.
The bulk of your reaction paper should be your reaction to the topic or issue.

It can address any of the following:
o Did the idea increase your understanding of a particular issue? Did it change your perspective in any way?
o How is the idea or concept related to problems in our present-day world?

Make sure each major paragraph presents and then develops a single main point. For example, in the sample report
that follows, the first paragraph summarizes the book, and the three paragraphs that follow detail three separate
reactions of the student writer to the book. The student then closes the report with a short concluding paragraph.
o Support any general points you make or attitudes you express with specific reasons and details. Statements such as
"I agree with this idea" or "I found this topic very interesting" are meaningless without specific evidence that shows
why you feel as you do. Develop your main points and the topic sentence of each paragraph by providing specific
supporting evidence.
o Organize your material. Follow the basic plan of organization: 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.
o Edit the paper carefully for errors in grammar, mechanics, punctuation, word use, and spelling.
o You may not use quotations in any part of reaction papers (or thought questions, for that matter).
o How are these ideas related to your life, experiences, feelings and ideas?
o How is the assigned work related to other ideas that have been covered in this or other courses?
Points to remember:
Make sure each major paragraph presents and then develops a single main point. For example, in the sample report
that follows, the first paragraph summarizes the book, and the three paragraphs that follow detail three separate
reactions of the student writer to the book. The student then closes the report with a short concluding paragraph.
o Support any general points you make or attitudes you express with specific reasons and details. Statements such as
"I agree with this idea" or "I found this topic very interesting" are meaningless without specific evidence that shows
why you feel as you do. Develop your main points and the topic sentence of each paragraph by providing specific
supporting evidence.
o Organize your material. Follow the basic plan of organization: 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.
o Edit the paper carefully for errors in grammar, mechanics, punctuation, word use, and spelling.
o You may not use quotations in any part of reaction papers (or thought questions, for that matter)