Summary-Response Essay Responding to Reading

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 Purpose Audience, reader Occasion, genre, context Thesis and main or supporting ideas Organization and evidence Language and style

Author’s name and title of article You MUST Include: Author’s name and title of article 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

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: