Critical thinking
ClernaH
SummaryResponseEssayGuidelinesColorCoded202051.docxENG 101 Summary/Response Essay
The Task:
This writing assignment involves both summary and response. You will first summarize the main ideas of a text using your own words. You will then respond to the text by identifying ideas that you agree or disagree with, providing information from the text as well as your own reasoning and personal experiences to support your views.
Sources:
· Instructor-provided article which you will use for the summary and response
Process:
To complete this project, you should complete/submit the following:
· Read and annotate the article
· Review principles of APA formatting
· Complete the prewriting as required by instructor: ___________________________
· Submit the final Summary and Response Essay in APA format
Format:
· Multi-paragraph essay
· APA format, including font, spacing, margins, title page, headers, and references page
· 550-1100 words (must meet minimum word count, exclusive of title & references pages)
· Text evidence should be paraphrased. Direct quotes should be limited.
Point of View:
· 1st and 3rd person points of view as appropriate
· 2nd person point of view is NOT appropriate for this assignment
Content:
Begin by identifying the text (author, title, date, and source) and the overall point of the text. Explain the key supporting points of the article in your own words. Provide your overall thesis for your response. Support your thesis with information from the text as well your own reasoning and experiences. Conclude the Summary/Response by re-emphasizing your overall reaction to the text and providing closure. You should address the following questions in your Summary/Response:
· What is the text’s purpose (e.g. persuade, entertain, inform)?
· Who is the intended audience?
· What is the text’s main idea?
· What are the key supporting points in the text?
· What is the author’s conclusion?
· Do you agree or disagree with the author? Why or why not?
· What information from the text either supports your view or can be challenged?
· How do your life and experiences agree with or differ from the concepts in the text?
Structure:
Your Summary/Response should include the following sections:
· Introduction: Identify the text (author, title, date, source) and the overall thesis/main idea of the author. Explain the author’s purpose and audience. Then summarize the key points in the article and end with your overall response/thesis. This paragraph may be no longer than 250 words.
· Body: Provide body paragraphs that clearly explain the points/content with which you agree or disagree. Provide specific references to the text as well as your own ideas, reasoning, and experiences.
· Conclusion: Conclude the essay by restating your overall response and providing a sense of closure. No new information should be included in the conclusion.
