Anatomy of a Reading Response

paper format

heading page # title 1” margin double spaced

Your name Teacher name double spaced Course name date

centered No extra space above No extra space below no bold face no italics no underlining

right justified last name page number no comma between elements; no # sign

introduction

Author’s full name introduction Title of text thesis

expresses the main point of the essay makes an argument expresses the main point of the essay offers an original idea Gives direction to rest of essay

body paragraph

connects back to the thesis Topic sentence makes a point connects back to the thesis explains the focus of paragraph

paraphrase Supporting evidence summary quotation

Connects back to thesis paragraph conclusion Synthesizes points Connects back to thesis

quotation

quotation quotation quotation quotation

close quotes parentheses punctuation citation citation citation citation

integrates quote into surrounding writing

notes speaker and location of quote explains context follows-up on quote introduces quote connects to thesis interprets the meaning

conclusion

Synthesizes main points Conclusion Synthesizes main points Restates thesis Gives reader something to think about

Does NOT repeat what has already been said Does NOT leave the reader asking “so what?” Does NOT introduce a whole new train of thought

works cited

MLA bibliographic form title Double spaced MLA bibliographic form Alphabetized entries

“I think” “I feel”

“really”

Comma splice