goodwriter

Eastern Washington University

Kathy L. Rowley, MA

Comp 201

Reader Response

Objective: To write a 1.5 page Reader Response essay in MLA style that critically responds to the

article(s) from our class reading.

 Remember that reading and writing "critically" does not mean the same thing as "criticizing.”

 Your "critique" can and should be positive and praise the text if possible, as well as pointing out problems, disagreements, and shortcomings.

 You may use “I.”

Process:

1. Title your paper. Do not use the title from the article; make up your own title.

2. In the first sentence, state author’s name, reading title, and the quote that you wish to discuss.

 For example: According to John Smith in his writing, “English is my Favorite Class,” “Freewriting

on my blog site helps me to organize my thoughts” (Smith 1).

3. State a question that you would like to answer in your writing.

 For example: While this statement works for most writers, I wonder how freewriting helps aural

learners.

4. Begin the second paragraph suggesting that you are going to develop an answer.

 How much does the text agree or disagree with what you believe? Use quotes from the text and/or personal examples to support your claims.

Or

 How much were your views and opinions challenged or changed by this text, if at all? Use quotes from the text and/or personal examples to support your claims.

Or

 How does it address, or not, things that are important to your family, your community, your ethnic group, to people of your economic or social class or

background, or your faith tradition? Use quotes from the text and/or personal examples to support your claims.

5. To sum up, what is your overall reaction to the text? Would you read something else like this, or by this author, in the future or not? Why or why not? To whom would you recommend this

text?