Introduction & Outline

 

C.Stammler/  P.McMahon   July  2013  

Writing  a  Reaction  to  Written  Material     Objective:  To  respond  critically  to  another  writer’s  idea(s)  in  a  thoughtful,  well  organized,  well   supported  and  well  written  paper.        

A. Reading  and  Preparation:     1. Read  the  article  once  for  the  overall  content/  main  idea.     2. Read  the  article  again,  highlighting  the  author’s  main  premise  and  key  

supporting  points.  Select  quotations  you  wish  to  respond  to.     3. Prepare  an  Outline:    

a. Formulate  your  overall  Thesis:  Do  you  agree  or  disagree  with  the   author’s  main  idea:  fully,  partially,  etc..  

b. Formulate  your  Topic  Sentences   c. Gather  support  for  your  topic  sentences.    

  B. Critical  Thinking  Questions  to  consider:    

1. Is  the  author  speaking  from  an  expert  opinion?  From  Personal  experience?     2. Does  the  author  use  evidence  and  facts  to  support  his/  her  ideas?  Is  the  

author  biased  in  any  way?   3. Is  this  a  current  event?    An  on-­‐going  issue?  A  future  concern?     4. Does  it  affect  society  on  the  whole  or  just  a  few  individual  people?   5. Is  there  a  moral  and  ethical  responsibility  to  address?     6. How  might  this  topic  shape  your  own  life  choices?   7. Are  there  solutions  or  alternatives?  

    C. Organization  &  Format:    

1. Introduction:  Include  the  following:   a. Title/  author/  source  &  date  of  the  article   b. A  Short  Summary  of  the  key  points  to  be  analyzed   c. Your  Thesis  statement,  which  agrees  or  disagrees  with  the  author.    

2. Body  Paragraphs:  Each  Body  Paragraph  must  include:     a. The  author’s  main  point  to  be  analyzed  in  that  paragraph.   b. Direct  Quote(s)  from  the  article  which  support  the  author’s  point.     c. Your  Topic  Sentence  which  agrees  or  disagrees  with  the  point.   d. Your  supporting  ideas  which  may  include  evidence,  personal  

experience,  etc..   3. Conclusion  

 This  may  be  short,  but  must  reinforce  your  position-­‐  your  thesis-­‐   and  add  a  strong  closing  message.    

 A  closing  message  leaves  the  reader  thinking:  this  may  include  a   cautionary  warning,  a  question,  a  suggestion,  a  plea  for  action,    a   closing  comment.    

  Language:  Overall  the  Paper  uses  appropriate  academic  language  with  the  writer’s  own  stylistic   features  of  tone,  diction,  transition  words,  etc