Literature Response Papers An Introduction … Critical Thinking, Expectations & Requirements

CRITICAL THINKING A way of thinking about any subject, content, or problem by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing self-directed, self-disciplined self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking Uses effective communication and problem-solving abilities

How many of you feel this way?

Just tell me what I need to know for the test already! Is this you? Just tell me what I need to know for the test already!

There is more to learning than what you need to know for the test…

Incorporating this idea Critical Thinking & Writing Incorporating this idea into your response papers

What is a RESPONSE PAPER? A response paper is an essay that conveys a student’s response to one specific aspect in a text Most often a response paper is written in response to a work of literature. Research is not typically done for this type of paper.

What does this mean? a text is interpreted and analyzed in a manner that is as concise as possible. The response paper has a point or thesis that focuses on a single idea or aspect of the work. Arguments are used to justify that point, and these arguments are typically supported with the primary text in the form of paraphrase, summary and direct quotations. When information from the primary text is used, the page number is cited, MLA style Typically, a works cited page is usually unnecessary since the paper’s information is all from the same source.

Why are we writing Response papers? Purpose: The response paper shows that a student is able to critically analyze a work instead of just reading it and composing a restatement or summary. A response paper requires the student to explore a work while arguing to validate his/her response.

Let’s review… What is the purpose of a response paper?

WISE WORDS

Creating Your Response Read the work. Highlight and take marginal notes when necessary. Be sure to record both your emotional and intellectual responses to the piece. You should have already done this with your summer reading!!!

Creating Your Response Establish a clear understanding of the work. What were the main conflicts in the work? What were the actions and/or feelings of the main characters? How did the main characters change during the course of the work? Why did they change? Brainstorm to decide what point you will focus on in your response. There are several ways to do this: • Examine your notes • Record new ideas • Use pro-con column analysis • Raise and answer questions After brainstorming, choose your area of focus.

How does the novel you selected depict a DYSTOPIA?

Developing Your Response Once you have chosen a focus, develop a thesis around it. Check your thesis to make sure that it is supportable with evidence from the text. Organize an outline of the paper into three parts: an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Refer back to the notes that you made in the text. Use paraphrases, summaries and direct quotations from the text to support your response. They should not occur frequently enough to become a distraction.

Develop a conclusion that reemphasizes your thesis/response to the work. Write the final draft of the response paper. Check over the final draft for grammar and punctuation

Let’s Review… What do you consider to be the most crucial step(s) in the process of writing your response paper? Why? Justify your response(s).

Formatting Your Response 5 Paragraph Format for Response Introduction Thesis should be last sentence Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 2 Body Paragraph 3 Conclusion Restated Thesis should be first sentence

Your Introduction Introduction is usually brief and composed of about 4-6 sentences. State the title and author of the work within the text. Essential background information Develop the problem/thesis statement around your topic. THIS SHOULD BE THE LAST SENTENCE OF YOUR INTRODUCTION!

The Body Body supports the thesis with 3 piece of evidence. (3 Body Paragraphs) Use examples from the text (i.e. paraphrase, summary, quotations) to support the evidence. You may have a few examples from the text in your paragraph.

The Conclusion Brief conclusion reminds the reader of the point you are trying to establish. Restate the thesis. Explain the importance of the thesis to the reader.

Let’s Review… How will you organize the body of your response paper? Where will your thesis be? About how long should your paper be? What is the goal?

Sample Reading Responses

Sources & Additional Information http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-concept-and-definition-of-critical-thinking/411