How to Make Reaction Paper
1. GUIDE TO WRITING A REACTION PAPER
I. SUMMARY/SYNOPSIS – What are you reacting to? GOAL: Show that you understand the opinion, main ideas, and supporting ideas in thedocumentary piece youre writing about.Identify all of the basic information about the piece, including: • The title of the piece • The topic or subject of the piece. In other words, tell what the piece is about in aword or a phrase.
II. ANALYSIS/EVALUATION – What are the strengths and weaknesses of the piece? 1. Answer the "w" questions, like why, why not, what, what if, what for, where, whythere, who, how, when . . . Specific questions you might take up include: • Was the piece convincing? Why or why not, specifically? Is it well-researched? Whyor why not? • Did the piece overlook or leave out anything important? What? • Did the piece overemphasize or overprivilege anything? What? • Is the piece one-sided, or does the piece present a balanced view?
III. YOUR REACTIONS – How do you react to the piece on a personal level? How doesthe piece relate to your experience? GOAL: Share your own impressions and your own experiences with readers.Here are some questions you might consider answering: • Did the piece hold your interest? Why or why not? • Did the piece bother or annoy you? Why or why not? • What did you realize as a result of watching the piece? • What questions does the piece raise for you – about the material, about other things? Reaction Paper Format ( The reaction paper should be at least 500 words. This will be equivalent to typing on one whole page of short bond paper, Times New Roman 12 pts., single-spaced lines. All margins should be set at 1 inch. ( The paper should identify the key points highlighted in the piece and then focus on your personal perspective on issues raised through the piece. In addition to your personal perspective, you
I. SUMMARY/SYNOPSIS – What are you reacting to? GOAL: Show that you understand the opinion, main ideas, and supporting ideas in thedocumentary piece youre writing about.Identify all of the basic information about the piece, including: • The title of the piece • The topic or subject of the piece. In other words, tell what the piece is about in aword or a phrase.
II. ANALYSIS/EVALUATION – What are the strengths and weaknesses of the piece? 1. Answer the "w" questions, like why, why not, what, what if, what for, where, whythere, who, how, when . . . Specific questions you might take up include: • Was the piece convincing? Why or why not, specifically? Is it well-researched? Whyor why not? • Did the piece overlook or leave out anything important? What? • Did the piece overemphasize or overprivilege anything? What? • Is the piece one-sided, or does the piece present a balanced view?
III. YOUR REACTIONS – How do you react to the piece on a personal level? How doesthe piece relate to your experience? GOAL: Share your own impressions and your own experiences with readers.Here are some questions you might consider answering: • Did the piece hold your interest? Why or why not? • Did the piece bother or annoy you? Why or why not? • What did you realize as a result of watching the piece? • What questions does the piece raise for you – about the material, about other things? Reaction Paper Format ( The reaction paper should be at least 500 words. This will be equivalent to typing on one whole page of short bond paper, Times New Roman 12 pts., single-spaced lines. All margins should be set at 1 inch. ( The paper should identify the key points highlighted in the piece and then focus on your personal perspective on issues raised through the piece. In addition to your personal perspective, you