Response Essay

Response Essay

This essay focuses on responding to an author’s ideas by “entering the conversation” he or she

has begun. Choose an essay from one of the following nonfiction authors:

• Murray • Blanda • Kohn • Zinczenko

• Nestle • O’Rourke • Slaughter • Thompson

• Wortham • Balko • Gatto • Graff

Once you have selected a reading, identify 2-3 of the author’s claims (points) that you agree or

disagree with and provide your own response to each one. Each claim you identify should

objectively represent the author’s “they say” in a way that is true to the source and free of your

opinion. In other words, start by providing an objective summary. Then, in a new paragraph,

articulate your own original perspective (an “I say”) in direct response to the author’s argument.

Tip: Start by combing through the reading you’ve selected and differentiating between

the author’s “I say” and “they say.” The “I say” points that you identify will become

“they say” points in your own essay. In other words, when you write your essay, you’re

responding to the author’s “I say.” Do not respond to any “they say” points that the

author included in their work. Focus on the author’s claims.

You do not have to engage in a combination of agreement and disagreement for this essay. You

can focus solely on points that you agree with. Conversely, you can focus solely on points you

disagreement. If you wish to discuss points of agreement and disagreement, group them together.

For example: two point of agreement followed by one point of disagreement.

As you write, please refer to the templates from chapters 1-10 of They Say/I Say. Your writing

should demonstrate competency in these key academic moves.

This essay must use proper MLA format throughout. In-text citations and a works cited page are

required; missing one or both may result in a failing grade on the essay or failure of the course.

Length Requirement: 4-5 pages. This means that, at minimum, the text will extend to the

bottom of page 4. Your works cited page does not count toward the length requirement.

Submission Timeline:

Task Submission Method Due Date

Essay proposal Printed copy on instructor’s

desk by start of class

Thesis and outline Printed copy on instructor’s

desk by start of class

First draft (min. 3 pages) Bring printed or electronic

copy to class

Online peer review Blackboard discussion

board

Second draft (completed essay) Uploaded to Blackboard as

a Word or PDF file

Essay conference N/A

Final draft Uploaded to Blackboard as

a Word or PDF file

Please review the “Late Work Policy and Submitting Work” section of the syllabus prior to

uploading any files to Blackboard.

Grading Rubric:

• Contains a developed title, engaging introduction, and insightful conclusion. (/15)

• Well-crafted thesis statement succinctly answers the “so what?” and “who cares?” questions in 1-2 sentences. (/10)

• “They say” paragraphs accurately summarize the author’s claims and are separate from the “I say” paragraphs. (/10)

• “I say” paragraphs contain clearly articulated points of agreement or disagreement that align with the summaries provided in the “they say” paragraphs. (/15)

• Follows outline and meets but does not exceed length requirement (/10)

• The writer seamlessly integrates outside sources into the essay and is in conversation with the voices of others. (/10)

• Writing is clear and authoritative, transitions enhance the flow of the essay, and work has been thoroughly proofread for grammar, spelling, and capitalization. (/15)

• Paragraphs begin with a strong topic sentence, maintain a clear central focus, and do not exceed more than a ½ page in length per paragraph. (/5)

• Demonstrates appropriate use of MLA style with regard to formatting, in-text citations, and the works cited page. (/10)

Essay Outline:

I. Introduction – Include a summary of the nonfiction selection you chose and end with your thesis statement

II. First “they say” – Focus on providing an objective summary and explanation of a claim your author made. Provide a quotation from the reading to help support your summary

and explanation. Keep your response out of the “they say” paragraphs.

III. Reasons why you agree or disagree with the “they say” – Using the “they say” paragraph as a guide, respond to your author’s claim and explain why you agree.

IV. Second “they say” V. Reasons why you agree or disagree with the “they say”

VI. Third “they say” VII. Reasons why you agree or disagree with the “they say” VIII. Conclusion – Think about how you can establish the significance of your thesis

statement. Instead of summarizing your key points, circle back to your thesis and tell us

why what you’ve covered in this essay should matter to your readers.

Thesis Statement Templates:

100% agreement (can also do 100% disagreement)

__________ makes _____________ points about _____________________, (author) (positive adjective) (they say summary 1)

______________________, and ________________________. ________________________. (they say summary 2) (they say summary 3) (So what? Who cares?)

Thesis statement example (100% agreement): Zinczenko makes excellent points about the

widespread availability of unhealthy food in America, the legitimacy of lawsuits against fast

food companies, and the lack of nutritional information at restaurants. By studying his work, we

can better understand how to protect our health and avoid being manipulated by restaurants.

Agreement and disagreement

_________ makes ___________ points about _________________ and _________________; (author) (positive adjective) (they say summary 1). (they say summary 2)

however, his/her claim about ________________ is ______________. ____________________. (they say summary 3) (negative adjective) (So what? Who cares?)

Thesis statement example (agreement and disagreement): Zinczenko makes excellent points

about the widespread availability of unhealthy food in America and the legitimacy of lawsuits

against fast food companies; however, his claim about access to nutritional information is

misguided. Therefore, understanding the balance between individual responsibility and corporate

responsibility is key to protecting our health.