Summary-Response Essay

Respon

ding to

Rea

ding

Reading Critically

Not about finding fault with author

Rather engaging author in a discussion by asking questions as you read an article or essay

Your paper must include

Clear text

Logical thoughts and arguments

Reliable, credible information

Thoughtful and thought provoking

Honest writing

Objective, well supported reasons

How to read critically

Good note taking

Keep a Reader’s log

Use the Says/Does technique

Or create a critical rereading guide:

In your notes, think about the author’s

PurposeAudience, readerOccasion, genre, contextThesis and main or supporting ideasOrganization and evidenceLanguage and style

Summary: List main ideas, key features, examples, and evidence the author may provide

Response:Log your reaction to each main point, record your comments, and questions

You MUST Include:

Author’s name and title of article

Purpose of this Essay

To understand an author’s main idea and purpose for work

To recognize the main points that support that main idea

To be able to summarize (paraphrase) author’s main ideas

To be able to respond or react to what the author has to say (to support or defend your point of view)

Preparing the Summary

Cite the author and the title of the text

Indicate the main ideas of the text

Paraphrase main ideas; (No more than one quote per 3 pages) use key words, phrases, and sentences

Include author tags

Be objective

Structuring Your response

Requires your reaction to the text and your interpretation of the text

3 types of responses: depends on purpose and audience

1. Analyzing the effectiveness of the text

Use this approach if you do no have an opinion on the topic Do an analysis of the structure of the writing, the clarity of the main idea,

use of logic and reasoning, strength of argument, use of supporting evidence Overall effectiveness of the piece Good writing

2. Agreeing or disagreeing with text

A response of this nature will react to the ideas or the argument

Simply do you agree with the author

Why or why not

Provide evidence to support your reaction

3. Interpretation and Reflection

Writer will explain or examine the text by looking at the underlying assumptions or implications of the author’s ideas.

You may add your own experience, attitude, and observations as they relate to text

3 ways to provide evidence to support your response

Your response requires that you provide evidence to support your opinion, whether you agree or disagree with the author

Consider what sort of evidence will best support your statements

1. Personal Experience

Use personal experience as examples to demonstrate why you interpret the text the way you do, why you react the way you do, why you agree or disagree

I strongly disagree with Tannen’s first point based on my own high school experience, especially in my History class.

2. Evidence from the text

Cite specific phrases or sentences from the text to support your

explanation of the text analysis of the effectiveness of the text To support why you agree or disagree

3. Evidence from other texts

Acceptable to bring in ideas and information from other texts

Your prior knowledge

No research required for this assignment

Cite sources if you do use borrow material from other sources

Include these elements in your essay

Brief introduction that will state these items: Title of the article or essay;Name of author; Place of publication Any key information you might know about author to help establish author’s

credibility State author’s main idea Thesis: a well thought out statement stating your main point about the

article or essay.

Conclusion

Your intro and conclusion should tie together.

Make your conclusion come full circle by either: Restating your thesis Resummarizing the main points Revisiting your “hook” from the intro.

Organization: Outline Patterns: Block

Pattern 1

I. Introduction with thesis

II. Summary of main point

III. Points You agree with

IV. Points you disagree with

Conclusion

Pattern 2: Point by Point

I. Introduction with thesis

Summarize point 1; agree or disagree

Summarize point 2; agree or disagree

Summarized point 3; agree or disagree

Conclusion

Note: you do not need to agree or disagree with all points

Important things to remember

Summarize or paraphrase= brief explanation, omit author’s supporting evidence or examples unless one is vital in understanding author’s point

Make sure to give reasons why you disagree Give examples, personal experience, facts, any previous experience

or knowledge you can draw upon to support your opinion: