How to Write a Reaction Paper

Summary

This tutorial guides viewers on crafting a reaction paper, using Nicholas Carr's 'Is Google Making Us Stupid?' as an example. It emphasizes the importance of a strong thesis, engaging with the text, and offering personal commentary. The video advises against summarizing the original work and suggests using anecdotes, quotes, and external evidence to support one's analysis. It concludes with tips for writing a compelling conclusion that reiterates the thesis and offers a broader perspective on the topic.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video tutorial guides viewers on how to write a reaction paper, also known as a response paper or a reader response essay.
• 🔔 It emphasizes the importance of subscribing and staying updated for new writing tutorial posts.
• 🎯 The purpose of a reaction paper is to describe the writer's response to a piece of work through thoughtful analysis.
• 🤔 The types of reactions can include agreement or disagreement with the author's argument, or commentary on the work's honesty, originality, or representation.
• 🌐 The sample essay topic is a reaction to Nicholas Carr's essay 'Is Google Making Us Stupid?' from The Atlantic.
• 📝 The introductory paragraph should include a hook, a brief summary of the text, and a thesis statement reflecting the writer's opinion.
• 🗣️ Body paragraphs should interact with the text, offer commentary, integrate outside evidence, and maintain logical flow.
• 🚫 Do's and Don'ts include engaging with the text, using transitions, avoiding argumentative or persuasive tones, and not misinterpreting the author's words.
• 📈 The body paragraphs critique the text's portrayal of the internet, discuss its benefits, and evaluate concerns about the future.
• ❓ The concluding paragraph reiterates the thesis, provides a holistic opinion, and offers a thought-provoking insight or question.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of a reaction paper?

The main purpose of a reaction paper is to describe your response to an article, book, movie, song, or any other work using thoughtful analysis.

What are some possible reactions one could write about in a reaction paper?

Possible reactions include agreeing or disagreeing with the author's main argument, commenting on the piece's honesty, relatability, originality, or discussing the writing style's impact.

What is the sample essay topic discussed in the script?

The sample essay topic is a reaction paper to Nicholas Carr's essay in The Atlantic, titled 'Is Google Making Us Stupid?'.

What is the suggested approach for writing the introductory paragraph of a reaction paper?

The approach includes providing an interesting hook, briefly summarizing the text, and including a thesis statement that discusses the writer's opinion.

How does the author suggest creating a logical flow in the body paragraphs?

The author suggests creating a logical flow by interacting with the text, offering commentary, integrating outside evidence if applicable, and using transitions between paragraphs.

What are some do's and don'ts when writing a reaction paper?

Do's include interacting with the text, offering commentary, and integrating outside evidence. Don'ts include writing an argumentative essay, summarizing the piece, or misinterpreting the author's words.

What structure is recommended for the body paragraphs in a reaction paper?

The recommended structure involves extracting evidence from the text and responding to it, potentially using direct quotes or paraphrased material.

How does the author critique the negative portrayal of the internet in the first body paragraph?

The author critiques the negative portrayal by suggesting that the author of the original text places the blame solely on the internet and not on personal reading habits, and argues that the internet offers convenience to individuals in other professions.

What is the main point of the second body paragraph in the sample reaction paper?

The main point is that the internet can help individuals, especially students, understand long and complex texts by supplementing their reading with online resources.

What is the suggested approach for the concluding paragraph of a reaction paper?

The approach includes reiterating the thesis statement, providing a holistic opinion of the piece, and ending with an insight, food for thought, or a question.

What is the 'food for thought' offered at the end of the sample reaction paper?

The 'food for thought' is the suggestion that students need digital literacy training to learn how to use search engines responsibly and avoid power browsing.