This document provides guidance on writing a reaction paper, which analyzes a piece by summarizing it, evaluating its strengths and weaknesses, and sharing personal reactions. It outlines a 5-paragraph structure including an introduction, 3 body paragraphs with supporting details, and a conclusion. The document contrasts reaction papers with diaries, noting reaction papers are more formal and aim to enlighten others rather than just the author. It provides questions to consider for each section and examples of modern iterations of reaction papers like reviews.

1. HOW DO YOU REACT ON THE FOLLOWING
STATEMENTS?
• 1.

3. REACTION PAPER IS A FIVE-PARAGRAPH
ESSAY FORMAT
•Paragraph One: Introduction
-This begins with a general statement to catch
the reader’s attention, briefly summarize the main
points of the essay, and end with a main idea
statement (thesis).

4. Body
•Paragraph Two: supporting detail #1
•paragraph three: supporting detail #2
•paragraph four: supporting detail #3

5. •Paragraph Five: Conclusion
-This restates the main idea, briefly
summarize the most important
evidence, tell the importance of this
essay, or how it connects to the world

6. Elements
•Main issue
•Reacting issue section
•Proposal implementation
•Closure

7. diary vs. reaction paper

8. •DIARY
PERSONAL IN SIGNIFICANCE
ENLIGHTEN ONE’S FELLOW HUMAN
BEINGS
LESS
LESS DESCRIPTIVE
DOES NOT ENDEAVOUR TO
PERSUADE OTHER PEOPLE
•REACTION PAPER
SIGNIFICANCE IS SOCIETAL
ENLIGHTEN FOR THE SELF
FORMAL
MORE DESCRIPTIVE
PERSUADES READERS

9. I. SUMMARY/SYNOPSIS
II. ANALYSIS/EVALUATION
III . YOUR REACTIONS

10. GUIDE IN WRITING A REACTION PAPER
I. SUMMARY/SYNOPSIS – what are you reacting
to? Goal: show that you understand the opinion,
main ideas, and supporting ideas in the
documentary piece you're writing about.

11. •Identify all of the basic information
about the piece, including: • the title
of the piece • the topic or subject of
the piece. in other words, tell what
the piece is about in a word or a
phrase.

12. II. ANALYSIS/EVALUATION – what are the
strengths and weaknesses of the
piece?

13. • ANSWER THE "W" QUESTIONS, LIKE WHY, WHY NOT, WHAT, WHAT IF, WHAT FOR, WHERE, WHY
THERE, WHO, HOW, WHEN . . .

14. SPECIFIC QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT
TAKE UP INCLUDE:
•Was the piece convincing? Why or why not, specifically?
is it well-researched? why or why not? • Did the piece
overlook or leave out anything important? what? • Did the
piece overemphasize or overprivilege anything? What? •
is the piece one-sided, or does the piece present a
balanced view?

15. III. Your Reactions – How do you react
to the piece on a personal level? How
does the piece relate to your
experience? Goal: share your own
impressions and your own
experiences with readers.

16. •Here are some questions you might consider
answering: • Did the piece hold your interest?
Why or why not? • Did the piece bother or annoy
you? Why or why not? • What did you realize as a
result of watching the piece? • What questions
does the piece raise for you – about the material,
about other things?

17. When reading a reaction paper…
•one expects to be informed and amused
•helps us in decision making
•tells us that we are not alone in experiencing the world
•tells us about how to survive, what to avoid, and where to
seek pleasure
•helps us process our experience and see things that we
weren’t able to see on our own

18. Modern iterations of the reaction paper
•movie review
•gadget review
•book review
•travel review
•restaurant review
•review on essay/story
•some editorials

19. QUIZ

20. ASSIGNMENT # 1
Print or cut out movie reviews from a
newspaper. With a small group of four
members, pick out the best review. Among
yourselves, discuss what makes it well-written
review. Create standards for writing a good
review.

21. Assignment # 2
Bring the following:
• a clip of a piece of news that is relevant or
interesting for you
• dictionary