The document provides guidance on writing a response paper, which involves critically analyzing a text by summarizing its key ideas, stating an opinion on part of the text, and supporting that opinion with evidence from the text. It outlines the steps to writing a good response paper, which include reading the text twice to understand the main topic and author's argument, forming opinions on the text's claims and evidence, drafting a summary, and writing a first draft of the response paper expressing agreement, disagreement, or evaluation of the text's strengths and weaknesses. The document also reviews methods for paraphrasing texts, such as changing vocabulary, verb forms, word classes, and synthesizing information.

1. RESPONSE PAPER

2. What does writing a Response Paper involve?Critical Reading Identifying the ideas, organization, andpurpose ofthe text Critical ThinkingAnalyzing and evaluatingthe text and ideas,Reacting in Writing Summarizing the text’s key ideas Stating your opinion about a particular part of the text Supporting your opinion with appropriate details, quotations, and explanations.

3. A response paper is a way to express what you think about a piece of writing in an organized wayit includes:evidence that you have understood what the text says and does your reaction to the writer’s ideasyour evaluation of the text’s strengths and weaknesses

4. Steps to writing a good response paper

5. 1- Look for answers to the following questions as you read the first timeWhat is the topic and the main problem or issue that the author is addressing?What is the author’s central claim, argument, or point?What assumptions does the author make?What evidence does the author present?

6. 2-Jot down your ideas and answers to the following questions as you read the second timeHow do I feel about what is being said?Is the author’s claim supported sufficiently?Do I agree or disagree with the author?What are possible counterarguments to the text’s claims?

7. 3-Write a draft of the summary of the text Paraphrase:the author’s thesis main supporting ideasimportant details (only)

8. 4-Write your opinion about or reaction to the text

9. 5- Share your ideas about the text/ discuss the article

10. 6- Write the first draft of the response/reaction paper

11. Paraphrasing methodsChange the vocabulary Change the verb formsChange the word classSynthesize pieces of information

12. Change the vocabulary (use synonyms and synonymous phrases)Original: She understood the difficulties and the students appreciated it. The rest of the faculty neglected to recognize the teacher’s dedication to the students.Paraphrase: She comprehended the problems...

13. Change the verb forms (active to passive and vice versa)Original: She understood the difficulties and the students appreciated it. The rest of the faculty neglected to recognize the teacher’s dedication to the studentsParaphrase: The problems were understood by the teacher and…

14. Change the word class (verb to noun phrase, adjective to verb phrase, etc.)Original: She understood the difficulties and the students appreciated it. The rest of the faculty neglected to recognize the teacher’s dedication to the studentsParaphrase: The teacher’s understanding of the students problems was appreciated by...

15. Synthesize pieces of information (ideas, opinions, etc.)Original: She understood the difficulties and the students appreciated it. The rest of the faculty neglected to recognize the teacher’s dedication to the studentsParaphrase:Although the rest of the faculty ignored her dedication to the students, her understanding of the students’ difficulties was appreciated by the students.

16. Summary’s opening sentenceAuthor: Michael RogersArticle: “Can we trust our software”Paraphrased thesis: Computers are reliable but programs that run them can be dangerous and full of problems.Source: Time, January 29, 1990Example:M. Rogers, in his article “Can We Trust Our Software”, states that computers are reliable but programs that run them can be dangerous and full of problems

17. Components of a Response/Reaction Paper

18. IntroductionSentence 1: Summary’s opening sentenceName of the author of the text Title of the article Source of the article Author’s main claim, argument or point Sentence 2 – 4 (number of sentneces depends on length of the original text)Summary of the article (brief and accurate)Last sentence: Your thesisstatement, which:expresses agreement,partial agreement,disagreement, orevaluates the text (i.e., discusses strengths and \or weaknesses of the methods used in reporting)

19. Body Paragraph 1Starts with a topic sentence (=supporting idea 1) to explain the opinion you expressed in your thesis Contains a clear topic and controlling idea Clearly relates to the thesis statementIncludes sufficient details/examples/quotes from the text to explain your point)

20. Body Paragraph 2Starts with a topic sentence (=supporting idea 2) to explain the opinion you expressed in your thesis Contains a clear topic and controlling idea Clearly relates to the thesis statementIncludes sufficient details/examples/quotes from the text to explain/illustrate your point

21. ConclusionRestates your thesisSummarizes the main ideas