How to do a response …and avoid common errors.

1. A response is not a summary.

Instead, answer back (respond)!

DO NOT… … spend a lot of time discussing how beautiful or ugly the text itself is written, or examine the style and structure of the text itself. That’s an analysis, not a response!

Instead… Write authoritatively, give your opinion, and strongly support it. BUT, avoid using “I” or “me” in your response. Write authoritatively, give your opinion, and strongly support it. BUT, avoid using “I” or “me” in your response.

Remember… A response is not about YOU, it is about the text! (and your opinions of it) A response is not about YOU, it is about the text! (and your opinions of it)

Too bad! Nobody wants to hear whether you liked the text or not. (Who cares????)

Too bad! Nobody wants to know what you learned from the text, or how interesting or educational, surprising or boring the text was to you. (Who cares????)

Do not fixate on the form or structure of the text itself. Instead, what readers want to know is: whether they should agree or disagree with the ideas, actions, events or conclusions the author described in the text.

Never use coward words like “personally” or “in my opinion!”

Never write things like “I’m not sure, but…” or “I don’t know much about this…” If you do, you’re basically warning your readers that what you’re writing is nothing but B.S.! If you do, you’re basically warning your readers that what you’re writing is nothing but B.S.!

But what if you don’t care, or have no opinion on the subject? Well, make up an opinion, for the sake of argument!

And don’t just give your response… Defend it, with quotes, facts, evidence, and arguments.

Avoid general comments, whether on or off the subject! Who cares???

Most importantly, in college… Strictly avoid giving obedient “ good- boy / good-girl” responses that you might think that teachers or “adults” expect you to give back to them! (That’s so high school!)

Remember… Leaders, teachers, police and professors are not always right! And neither are the laws, the rules or the regulations! The way things are now is not necessarily the best way, or the only way, that things can be!

In fact, questioning and challenging are usually what it means to grow up. And… …that’s most often what professors want to get from you in your written responses, not just obedient, kiss-up “good- boy / good-girl” answers!

Now… It’s up to YOU

Rev. 9/2011