- EXPLORE Coupons Tech Help Pro Random Article About Us Quizzes Contribute Train Your Brain Game Improve Your English Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
- HELP US Support wikiHow Community Dashboard Write an Article Request a New Article More Ideas...
- EDIT Edit this Article
- PRO Courses New Tech Help Pro New Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Coupons Quizzes Upgrade Sign In
- Browse Articles
- Quizzes New
- Train Your Brain New
- Improve Your English New
- Support wikiHow
- About wikiHow
- Easy Ways to Help
- Approve Questions
- Fix Spelling
- More Things to Try...
- H&M Coupons
- Hotwire Promo Codes
- StubHub Discount Codes
- Ashley Furniture Coupons
- Blue Nile Promo Codes
- NordVPN Coupons
- Samsung Promo Codes
- Chewy Promo Codes
- Ulta Coupons
- Vistaprint Promo Codes
- Shutterfly Promo Codes
- DoorDash Promo Codes
- Office Depot Coupons
- adidas Promo Codes
- Home Depot Coupons
- DSW Coupons
- Bed Bath and Beyond Coupons
- Lowe's Coupons
- Surfshark Coupons
- Nordstrom Coupons
- Walmart Promo Codes
- Dick's Sporting Goods Coupons
- Fanatics Coupons
- Edible Arrangements Coupons
- eBay Coupons
- Log in / Sign up
- Education and Communications
- College University and Postgraduate
- Academic Writing
How to Write a Reflection Paper
Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References Approved
This article was co-authored by Alicia Cook . Alicia Cook is a Professional Writer based in Newark, New Jersey. With over 12 years of experience, Alicia specializes in poetry and uses her platform to advocate for families affected by addiction and to fight for breaking the stigma against addiction and mental illness. She holds a BA in English and Journalism from Georgian Court University and an MBA from Saint Peter’s University. Alicia is a bestselling poet with Andrews McMeel Publishing and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets including the NY Post, CNN, USA Today, the HuffPost, the LA Times, American Songwriter Magazine, and Bustle. She was named by Teen Vogue as one of the 10 social media poets to know and her poetry mixtape, “Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately” was a finalist in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 24 testimonials and 85% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 3,620,346 times.
Reflection papers allow you to communicate with your instructor about how a specific article, lesson, lecture, or experience shapes your understanding of class-related material. Reflection papers are personal and subjective [1] X Research source , but they must still maintain a somewhat academic tone and must still be thoroughly and cohesively organized. Here's what you need to know about writing an effective reflection.
Things You Should Know
- Write an introduction that outlines the expectations you had and provide a thesis statement in the last sentence.
- State your conclusions in the body paragraphs of the paper. Explain how you arrived at your conclusions using logic and concrete details.
- Conclude the paper with a concise summary of your overall experience.
Sample Outline and Paper
Brainstorming
- These sentences should be both descriptive yet straight to the point.
- For lectures or readings, you can write down specific quotations or summarize passages.
- For experiences, make a note of specific portions of your experience. You could even write a small summary or story of an event that happened during the experience that stands out. Images, sounds, or other sensory portions of your experience work, as well.
- In the first column, list the main points or key experiences. These points can include anything that the author or speaker treated with importance as well as any specific details you found to be important. Divide each point into its own separate row.
- In the second column, list your personal response to the points you brought up in the first column. Mention how your subjective values, experiences, and beliefs influence your response.
- In the third and last column, describe how much of your personal response to share in your reflection paper.
- Does the reading, lecture, or experience challenge you socially, culturally, emotionally, or theologically? If so, where and how? Why does it bother you or catch your attention?
- Has the reading, lecture, or experience changed your way of thinking? Did it conflict with beliefs you held previously, and what evidence did it provide you with in order to change your thought process on the topic?
- Does the reading, lecture, or experience leave you with any questions? Were these questions ones you had previously or ones you developed only after finishing?
- Did the author, speaker, or those involved in the experience fail to address any important issues? Could a certain fact or idea have dramatically changed the impact or conclusion of the reading, lecture, or experience?
- How do the issues or ideas brought up in this reading, lecture, or experience mesh with past experiences or readings? Do the ideas contradict or support each other?
Organizing a Reflection Paper
- Verify whether or not your instructor specified a word count for the paper instead of merely following this average.
- If your instructor demands a word count outside of this range, meet your instructor's requirements.
- For a reading or lecture, indicate what you expected based on the title, abstract, or introduction.
- For an experience, indicate what you expected based on prior knowledge provided by similar experiences or information from others.
- This is essentially a brief explanation of whether or not your expectations were met.
- A thesis provides focus and cohesion for your reflection paper.
- You could structure a reflection thesis along the following lines: “From this reading/experience, I learned...”
- Your conclusions must be explained. You should provide details on how you arrived at those conclusions using logic and concrete details.
- The focus of the paper is not a summary of the text, but you still need to draw concrete, specific details from the text or experience in order to provide context for your conclusions.
- Write a separate paragraph for each conclusion or idea you developed.
- Each paragraph should have its own topic sentence. This topic sentence should clearly identify your major points, conclusions, or understandings.
- The conclusions or understandings explained in your body paragraphs should support your overall conclusion. One or two may conflict, but the majority should support your final conclusion.
As You Write
- If you feel uncomfortable about a personal issue that affects the conclusions you reached, it is wisest not to include personal details about it.
- If a certain issue is unavoidable but you feel uncomfortable revealing your personal experiences or feelings regarding it, write about the issue in more general terms. Identify the issue itself and indicate concerns you have professionally or academically.
- Avoid dragging someone else down in your writing. If a particular person made the experience you are reflecting on difficult, unpleasant, or uncomfortable, you must still maintain a level of detachment as you describe that person's influence. Instead of stating something like, “Bob was such a rude jerk,” say something more along the lines of, “One man was abrupt and spoke harshly, making me feel as though I was not welcome there.” Describe the actions, not the person, and frame those actions within the context of how they influenced your conclusions.
- A reflection paper is one of the few pieces of academic writing in which you can get away with using the first person pronoun “I.” That said, you should still relate your subjective feelings and opinions using specific evidence to explain them. [8] X Research source
- Avoid slang and always use correct spelling and grammar. Internet abbreviations like “LOL” or “OMG” are fine to use personally among friends and family, but this is still an academic paper, so you need to treat it with the grammatical respect it deserves. Do not treat it as a personal journal entry.
- Check and double-check your spelling and grammar after you finish your paper.
- Keep your sentences focused. Avoid squeezing multiple ideas into one sentence.
- Avoid sentence fragments. Make sure that each sentence has a subject and a verb.
- Vary your sentence length. Include both simple sentences with a single subject and verb and complex sentences with multiple clauses. Doing so makes your paper sound more conversational and natural, and prevents the writing from becoming too wooden. [9] X Research source
- Common transitional phrases include "for example," "for instance," "as a result," "an opposite view is," and "a different perspective is."
- For instance, if reflecting on a piece of literary criticism, you could mention how your beliefs and ideas about the literary theory addressed in the article relate to what your instructor taught you about it or how it applies to prose and poetry read in class.
- As another example, if reflecting on a new social experience for a sociology class, you could relate that experience to specific ideas or social patterns discussed in class.
Expert Q&A Did you know you can get premium answers for this article? Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.
You Might Also Like
- ↑ https://www.aresearchguide.com/write-reflective-essay.html
- ↑ http://www.iirp.edu/pdf/IIRP-Reflection-Tip_Sheet.pdf
- ↑ Alicia Cook. Professional Writer. Expert Interview. 11 December 2020.
- ↑ http://www.csuohio.edu/writing-center/reflection-papers
- ↑ http://resources.cleary.edu/page/Reflection+Paper,+Tips+for+Writing
- ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/
- ↑ http://condor.depaul.edu/writing/Types_of_Writing/reflectiveessay.html
- ↑ http://askus.baker.edu/faq/217324
- ↑ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/scholarlyvoice/sentencestructure
About This Article
To write a reflection paper, start with an introduction where you state any expectations you had for the reading, lesson, or experience you're reflecting on. At the end of your intro, include a thesis statement that explains how your views have changed. In the body of your essay, explain the conclusions you reached after the reading, lesson, or experience and discuss how you arrived at them. Finally, finish your paper with a succinct conclusion that explains what you've learned. To learn how to brainstorm for your paper, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No
- Send fan mail to authors
Reader Success Stories
Audrey Keys
Nov 15, 2022
Did this article help you?
Stella Cheboi
Jul 22, 2016
Luz Gisela Perez
Nov 19, 2017
Apr 27, 2016
Debra Cust Bramble
Mar 20, 2016
Featured Articles
Trending Articles
Watch Articles
- Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- Do Not Sell or Share My Info
- Not Selling Info
wikiHow Tech Help Pro:
Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve
- Thesis Statement Generator
- Online Summarizer
- Rewording Tool
- Topic Generator
- Essay Title Page Maker
- Conclusion Writer
- Academic Paraphraser
- Essay Writing Help
- Topic Ideas
- Writing Guides
- Useful Information
How to Write a Reaction Paper: Format, Template, & Reaction Paper Examples
A reaction paper is one of the assignments you can get in college. It may seem easy at first glance, similar to a diary entry requiring your reaction to an article, a literature piece, or a movie. However, writing a high-quality paper often turns into a challenge. Here is a handy guide on how to write a reaction paper, with examples and topic suggestions.
- ❓ What Is a Reaction Paper?
✍️ Reaction Paper Format
- 🤔 How to Write a Reaction Paper
💭 Reaction Paper Questions
- 📋 Transitional Words
🔍 Reaction Paper Examples
- ⁉️ Questions and Answers
🔗 References
❓ what is a reaction paper assignment.
A reaction paper (or response paper) is an academic assignment urging students to explain what they feel about something . When crafting a good reaction piece, the student should aim to clarify what they think, agree or disagree with, and how they would identify with the object regarding their life experiences. The object of your response may be a painting, a book, an academic publication, or a documentary.
This task is not a simple summary of the text or film you’re assigned to. Neither is it a research paper; you don’t need to use external sources in a reaction paper. Thus, the writing process may seem confusing to newbies. Let’s clarify its main elements and features to help you out.
Every academic assignment has a specific structure and requirements to follow. Here we discuss the major elements of the response paper format to guide you through its components and the composition algorithm. As soon as you capture the structure, you can write stellar texts without a problem.
Reaction Paper Template
Every critical reaction paper follows the standard essay outline, with the introduction, the main body, and the conclusion as to its main parts. Here is a more detailed breakdown of each component:
- Introduction . You present the subject and set the context for the readers.
- Body . This part is a detailed analysis of your response to the subject. You should list the main points and analyze them, relating to your feelings and experiences.
- Wrap-up . Here you recap all major points and restate your opinion about the subject, giving it a conclusive evaluation.
Reaction Paper: APA Format
Depending on your teacher’s preferences and the academic subject, you may be given a reaction paper assignment in various referencing styles. The APA format is one of the possible variants. So, please don’t get confused about the writing approach; it only means that you should format your reaction paper according to APA conventions . These are:
- A standard APA title page
- One-inch margins on all sides
- Double spacing between the lines
- An author-date format of referencing external sources (if you use any supporting evidence)
The rest of the requirements are identical for reaction papers in all referencing formats, allowing you to choose.
🤔 How to Write a Good Reaction Paper Step-by-Step
Now, it’s time to clarify how to begin a reaction paper, what steps to take before writing, and how you will compose the entire assignment. Use our universal step-by-step guide fitting any reaction paper topic.
- Study the prompt inside out . You should understand the prompt to craft a relevant paper that your professor will grade highly.
- Clarify all instructions . A grave mistake that students often make is assuming they have understood everything in one go. Still, asking questions never killed anybody. So, we recommend inquiring your tutor about everything to be 100% sure you’re on the right path.
- Study the subject of your paper . Watch a movie, look at the painting, or read the text – do everything you can to get to the depths of the author’s message and intention.
- Make notes . Your reactions matter, as they will become the main content of your written text. So, annotate all feelings and ideas you have when studying the subject. You’ll be able to use them as writing prompts later.
- Make a reaction essay outline . The outline is the backbone of your content, which will serve as your compass during the actual writing process.
- Compose the draft . Use the outline as a structure and add details, evidence, and facts to support your claims. Then add an introduction and a conclusion to the final draft.
- Edit and revise . To err is human; to edit is divine. Follow this golden rule to submit a polished, revised paper without errors and typos.
How to Write a Reaction Paper About a Movie?
When the subject of your reaction paper assignment is a movie, you should consider the context in which it was given. It’s probably a supporting material for your study course dedicated to a specific learning concept or theory. Thus, it would be best to look for those links when watching the assigned movie – “ Women’s Rights and Changes over the 20 th Century ” is an excellent example of this technique. It will help you draw the connections in your reaction paper, showing your professor that you understand the material and can relate theory and practice.
The steps you need to take are as follows:
- Watch the film . It’s better to do it 2-3 times to capture all the tiny details.
- Take notes . Record the film’s central themes, messages, character traits, and relationships.
- Focus on a relevant element of the film in your response . If it’s a Film Studies class, you may write about the stylistic means and shooting techniques that the director used. If it’s a psychology class, you may write about characters and their relationships. If you need to compose a Sociology or Politics reaction paper, you may focus on the context of the film’s events.
- Revise the draft . Careful editing can save your grade, helping you locate minor errors, typos, and inconsistencies. Always reserve some time for a final look at your text.
How to Write a Reaction Paper to a Documentary?
Documentaries are also frequently chosen as subjects for reaction papers. They present valid, objective data about a specific event, person, or phenomenon and serve as informative, educational material for students. Here’s what you need to do if you get such a task:
- Watch the documentary several times . Watch it several times to understand everything nicely. It’s usually a much more data-rich video piece than a fiction film is, so you’ll need to take many notes.
- Present your documentary in the background of your reaction paper . Set the context for further discussion by naming the author, explaining its topic and content, and presenting its central claim.
- Talk about the documentary’s purpose at length . Please focus on the details and major claims made by the director; present relevant facts you’ve learned from it.
- React to the documentary’s content and explain how you felt about it . State what points you agree with and what ideas seem controversial; explain why you agree or disagree with the director’s position.
A vital aspect of a response to a documentary is comparing what you knew and thought about the subject before and after watching it. It’s a significant learning experience you should share, showing whether you have managed to progress through the studies and acquire new information. Look through the “ Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory ” reaction paper to get a clear idea of how it works.
How to Write a Reaction Paper to an Article?
Once you get a home task to write a reaction paper to an article, you should follow this algorithm:
- Read the article several times to understand it well . Make notes every time you read; new shades of meaning and details will emerge.
- Explain the key claims and terms of the article in your own words, as simply as possible . Then respond to them by evaluating the strength of those claims and their relevance.
- Assess the author’s stand and state whether you agree with it . Always give details about why you do or don’t support the author’s position.
- Question the evidence provided by the author and analyze it with additional sources, if necessary.
Please don’t forget about the following writing conventions:
An excellent example of a response paper to an article is “ Gay Marriage: Disputes and the Ethical Dilemma .”
Tips for Writing a Psychology Reaction Paper
If you were tasked with writing a reaction paper for a Psychology class, use the following tips to excel in this assignment.
- Identify the subject you need to react to . It may be a psychological theory, a book or article on psychology, or a video of a psychologist’s performance.
- Study the subject in detail . You need to understand it to form specific reactions, give informed commentary, and evaluate the presented claims effectively.
- Think about the topic’s relevance to modern times . Is the theory/book/article consistent with the ideas people hold today? Has there been any criticism of these ideas published recently? Did later research overturn the theory?
- Form a subjective response to the assigned subject . Do you agree with that position? Do you consider it relevant to your life experience? What feelings does it arouse in you?
By approaching a psychology piece with all these questions, you can create a high-quality response based on valid data, reflecting your reactions and opinions. Look through “ Peer Interaction in Mergers: Evidence of Collective Rumination ” to see how it can be done.
Reaction essay writing is a process that you can start only after answering essential questions about the content and your feelings. Here are some examples to ask yourself when preparing for the writing stage.
- What is the author’s key message or problem addressed in the piece?
- What purpose did the author pursue when creating this text/movie/sculpture/painting? Did the author fulfill it successfully?
- What point does the author intend to make with their work of art/literature?
- What assumptions can I trace throughout the subject, and how do they shape its content/look?
- What supporting facts, arguments, and opinion does the author use to substantiate their claims? Are they of high quality? What is their persuasive power?
- What counterarguments can I formulate to the claims made by the author?
- Is the raised issue relevant/interesting/significant?
- What are the author’s primary symbols or figurative means to pass their message across?
- Do I like or dislike the piece overall? What elements contribute to a positive/negative impression?
- How does this piece/subject correlate with my life experience and context?
- How can the reflections derived from this subject inform my life and studies?
- What lesson can I learn from this subject?
📋 Transitional Words for Reaction Paper
When you write a reaction paper, you express a personal opinion about a subject you have studied (a visual artwork or a text). However, the subjective nature of this assignment doesn’t mean that you should speak blatantly without caring about other people’s emotions and reactions. It’s critical to sound polite and use inclusive language.
Besides, you need to substantiate your points instead of simply stating that something is good or bad. Here are some linguistic means to help you develop a coherent reaction text:
- I think/feel/believe that
- It seems that
- In my opinion
- For example / as an illustration / as a case in point
- In contrast
- I think / I strongly believe / from my point of view
- I am confident that
- For all these reasons
- Finally / in conclusion
It’s not mandatory to squeeze all these phrases into your text. Choose some of them sparingly depending on the context; they will make your essay flow better.
Here is a short reaction paper example you can use as practical guidance. It is dedicated to the famous movie “Memento” by Christopher Nolan.
Memento is a movie about a man with a rare neurological condition – anterograde amnesia – seeking revenge for the rape and murder of his wife. He struggles to remember the recent events and creates various hints in notes and tattoos to keep the focus on his mission. Throughout the film, he meets different people who play weird roles in his life, contributing to the puzzle set by the director in the reverse scene presentation.
My first impression of the movie was confusing, as it took me half of the film to realize that the scenes were organized in the reverse order. Once the plot structure became more apparent, I opened many themes in the movie and enjoyed it until the end. Because of the severe brain damage, Leonard could not determine whether the story of his wife’s rape and murder was real, whether he had already been revenged for her death, and whether he was a hero or a villain. Thus, for me, the film was about a painful effort to restore one’s identity and seek life meaning amid the ruining memory and lost self.
The overall approach of Christopher Nolan deserves a separate mention. A unique design of shots’ sequence and the mix of chronological black-and-white and reverse chronological colored scenes is a puzzle that a viewer needs to solve. Thus, it becomes a separate thrilling adventure from the film’s storyline. My overall impression was positive, as I love Christopher Nolan’s auteur approach to filmmaking and the unique set of themes and characters he chooses for artistic portrayal.
Another example of a reaction paper we’ve prepared for you presents a reaction to “Night” by Elie Wiesel.
The horrors of World War II and concentration camps arranged by Nazis come to life when one reads Elie Wiesel’s Night. It is a literary piece composed by a person who lived in a concentration camp and went through the inhumane struggles and tortures of the Nazi regime . Though Wiesel survived, he portrayed that life-changing experience in much detail, reflecting upon the changes the threat of death makes to people’s character, relationships, and morality.
One of the passages that stroke me most was people’s cruelty toward their dearest relatives in the face of death. The son of Rabbi Eliahou decided to abandon his father because of his age and weakness, considering him a burden. This episode showed that some people adopt animal-like behavior to save their lives, forgetting about the cherished bonds with their parents. Such changes could not help but leave a scar on Elie’s soul, contributing to his loss of faith because of the cruelty around him.
However, amid the horror and cruelty that Elie Wiesel depicted in his book, the central message for me was the strength of the human spirit and the ability to withstand the darkness of evil. Wiesel was a living witness to human resilience. He witnessed numerous deaths and lost faith in God, but his survival symbolizes hope for a positive resolution of the darkest, unfairest times. Though reading “Night” left me with a heavy, pessimistic impression, I still believe that only such works can teach people peace and friendship, hoping that night will never come again.
The third sample reaction paper prepared by our pros deals with the article of David Dobbs titled “The Science of Success.”
The article “ The Science of Success ,” written by David Dobbs in 2009, presents an innovative theory of behavioral genetics. The author lays out the findings of a longitudinal study held by Marian Bakermans-Kranenbug and her team related to the evolution of children with externalizing behaviors. Their study presents a new perspective on the unique combination of genetics, environment, parenting approaches, and its impact on children’s mental health in adulthood.
The claim of Dobbs I found extremely convincing was the impact of mothers’ constructive parenting techniques on the intensity of externalizing behaviors. Though most children learn self-control with age and become calmer and more cooperative as they grow up, waiting for that moment is unhealthy for the child’s psyche. I agree that parents can help their children overcome externalizing behaviors with calm activities they all enjoy, such as reading books. Thus, the reading intervention can make a difference in children’s psychological health, teaching them self-control and giving their parents a break.
However, the second part of the article about “dandelion” and “orchid” children and their vulnerability caused more questions in me. I did not find the evidence convincing, as the claims about behavioral genetics seemed generic and self-obvious. Children raised in high-risk environments often develop depression, substance abuse, and proneness to criminality. However, Dobbs presented that trend as a groundbreaking discovery, which is debatable. Thus, I found this piece of evidence not convincing.
As you can see, reaction paper writing is an art in itself. You can compose such assignments better by mastering the techniques and valuable phrases we’ve discussed. Still, even if you lack time or motivation for independent writing, our team is on standby 24/7. Turn to us for help, and you’ll get a stellar reaction paper in no time.
⁉️ Reaction Paper Questions and Answers
What words do you use to start a reaction paper.
First, you need to introduce the subject of your paper. Name the author and the type of work you’re responding to; clarify whether it’s a film, a text, or a work of art. Next, you need to voice your opinion and evaluate the assigned subject. You can use phrases like, “I think… In my opinion… My first reaction was… I was touched by…”.
What Is the Difference Between Reflection and Reaction Paper?
The main distinction between reflection and reaction essays is their focus on the subject. A reaction paper approaches it from the viewpoint of your evaluation of the content and message of the assigned topic. It deals with how you felt about it, whether you liked it, and what thoughts it evoked in you. A reflection, in its turn, deals with your perceptions and beliefs. It focuses on the transformational experiences of either changing or reinforcing one’s views upon seeing or reading something.
What Is the Purpose of Reaction Paper?
The primary purpose of writing a reaction paper is to communicate your experience of reading, watching, or to see a subject (e.g., a movie, a book, or a sculpture). You should explain how you captured the author’s message, what you felt when exposed to that subject, and what message you derived. You can cite details and discuss your reactions to them before forming the general evaluation.
Can You Use “I” in a Reaction Paper?
Students can use the first-person “I” when writing reaction pieces. The use of the first person is generally banned in academic research and writing, but reflections and response papers are exceptions to this rule. It’s hard to compose a personal, subjective evaluation of an assigned subject without referring to your thoughts, ideas, and opinions. In this academic assignment, you can use phrases like “I believe… I think… I feel…”.
- Reaction vs. Reflection Paper: What’s the Difference? Indeed Editorial Team .
- Response Paper, Thompson Writing Program, Duke University . Guidelines for Reaction Papers, ETH Zürich .
- Film Reaction Papers, Laulima .
- How to Make a Reaction Paper Paragraph, Classroom, Nadine Smith .
- How to Write a Response Paper, ThoughtCo, Grace Fleming .
- Reviews and Reaction papers, UMGC .
- Reaction Paper, University of Arkansas .
- How to Write a Reaction Paper, WikiHow, Rachel Scoggins .
- How to Write a Reaction (Steps Plus Helpful Tips), Indeed Editorial Team .
- Response Paper, Lund University .
- How to Write a Reaction Paper in 4 Easy Steps, Cornell CS .
- Response Papers, Fred Meijer Center for Writing & Michigan Authors, Grand Valley State University .
- Plagiarism checker Do The Check
- Academic editing Ask For Help
- Samples database View Samples Base
How to Write A Reaction Paper: Guide For College Students
10 Sep 2021
Many times is necessary for teachers and professors to assess the student's abilities in the paper, and that’s why the essays are so popular. And every kind of essay serves a purpose, so if you need to write a reaction paper keep reading, and we will tell you the details you need to know.
First Things First: What Is A Reaction Paper?
Reaction papers - or reaction essay - are a type of essay, written with a critical perspective in response to another text - which is why they are also known as a response paper or response essay . They are frequently used by teachers and college professors to asses the students reading comprehension abilities.
The process of writing a reaction paper includes two parts:
- The analysis of the text,
- And the correct expression of your personal response.
Sometimes people confuse a reaction paper with a research paper. And this is a big mistake because they have different purposes and should be approached with different methods. If you have doubts you can take a look at this article about how to write a research paper , so you can clear your thoughts on how to differentiate them.
It´s also important to learn to differentiate the reaction essay from the summary essay. A reaction paper concentrates on the opinion that the writer has of it, while a summary essay is more about rewriting the original text. Still, it is recommendable for the first paragraph of the essay to be a summary of the primary text. With this, you can give your reader a clear idea about the original text, before reading your opinion.
What about the reaction papers format?
A reaction essay is an academic piece, and as such it must be presented following some protocols regarding the format. And by format, we mean characteristics like page size, font sizes, and margins. There are some predetermined styles, established by several institutes, that are used frequently.
- MLA style. This is a format created by the Modern Languages Association, and it’s usually applied in humanistic or artistic pieces. It regulates several aspects, like the font size (12pts) and the margins (1 inch).
- APA style. This is a frequently used format, created by the American Psychiatrists Association . Establish that the page size must be a letter, the margins must have 1 inch, and that the font must be Times New Roman size 12 pts, among other details.
- Vancouver style. This style is mainly used in the field of health, created by the National Library of Medicine . It's applied in articles, essays, papers, books, and any text related to medicine.
The format style of a reaction paper mostly depends on the protocols of your academy or teacher.
Stuck with finding the right title?
Get plenty of fresh and catchy topic ideas and pick the perfect one with PapersOwl Title Generator.
What Are The Reaction Paper Outlines?
Every essay must have a precise structure, that works as a skeleton for the paper. This structure defines the outlines that the writer has to follow when writing an essay. They are actually very specific, and because of that are also easy to follow.
Introduction
The introduction is the first part of every essay, and it should be about 15%-20% percent of the content. In this, you have to mention the main ideas of your paper, without going too deep in them. And also present the “problem” or “object” in which your essay centers.
Body Paragraphs
This is the largest part of every reaction essay and every kind of essay. Is where the writer has to explain, not only the main ideas but also the arguments to defend them. So, is the part of the text where there should be more citations and analysis.
Conclusion Paragraphs
The reaction paper should close with the conclusions of the writer, which are the results of the analysis and considerations of all the arguments. If the conclusions aren’t coherent with the arguments, then the analysis failed.
There are several ways to make citations, and each style defines its own. So the first thing you’ll need to check is the format you have to use and look on the internet or in a library for the specifications of that format.
Something that will be always as important in every paper is grammar since it proves knowledge and respect for the language. If you are having troubles in this regard, you could take a look at this site, where you’ll find grammar tips for students . Having some help is always a good way to improve your performance.
Some Tips On How To Write a Reaction Paper Properly
Writing a paper can seem challenging, and it is. But that doesn’t have to discourage you, because there are several ways to get an effective paper.
On the one hand you could look for services on academic writing, and if this is your preference, you could check this site where you can pay for assignment . If you rather do the reaction paper by your self then here is some inside information that can help you on your
- Organize the process. Writing is a process that is more effective if you follow it step by step.
- Take notes while reading. This way you can keep track of your reaction.
- Read the text several times. The first two times you are processing the content, but after a third time, you start creating your own thoughts.
- Be clear about the ideas. If you don’t express your ideas with precision, the reader might not understand your point.
- Respect the format. The presentation of a reaction essay is really important.
- Remember that its a reader response essay. So, you have to express your own ideas about the text.
Reaction papers are written works, and they take some time and effort. But you can find many ways to guide your process and help you create an excellent piece. Just keep in mind that these essays are about your opinion, and your originality is what will make them stand out.
Was this article helpful?
Thanks for your feedback.
Prof. Linda Mia
I’ve worked for the past eight years as a content editor, creative writer, and professional essay writer. Every day, I work hard to make sure my clients are satisfied with the projects and papers I write for them. My areas of expertise are wide, ranging from Psychology and Sociology to Political Science and World History.
Readers also enjoyed
100 communication research topics.
Research Paper Writing Guides 32 likes
Methodology in Research Paper
Research Paper Writing Guides 44 likes
Social Work Research Topics
Research Paper Writing Guides 70 likes
WHY WAIT? PLACE AN ORDER RIGHT NOW!
Simply fill out the form, click the button, and have no worries!
- Ultimate Reaction Paper Guide: Tips on How to Write It
What Is a Reaction Paper?
How to write a reaction paper, reaction paper outline, helpful notes on writing a reaction paper, mistakes to avoid in reaction papers.
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between a reaction paper and a critique?
2. what is the main difference between a reaction paper and a review paper.
A reaction paper is a typical assignment that students get to complete so their tutor could see how they express their personal opinions on particular matters (like an argumentative essay). It's a great tool to evaluate research and argumentative skills. It might seem hard at first sight. However, completing such an assignment on a high level will allow you to ace other similar tasks in the future. Everything you need to understand about writing a reaction paper is here in this article. It is the primary goal of it and of our experts who are responsible for its creation. We will explain how to write a reaction paper using the knowledge you have at the moment and those you will adopt from this article.
First, you need to understand that your task is to impress your tutor. Show how good you are analyzing the situation and how well you can explain your opinion. So analytical, researching, and writing skills are equally important. There are two main parts your paper should be divided into by its meaning.
- Summary. In the first part of your response essay, you need to provide some information about the author and the topic you are examining. Creating an outline before writing your first draft is always a good idea. You should use the source given to you by the tutor as your main one. Direct quotations are absolutely normal and allowed.
- Reaction. The second part is where you need to state your own opinion regarding the main problem. Discuss the topic and offer your ideas. Express your argument clearly. Extract the main problem and focus on it. In case there are few equal-level subjects to discuss, take your time and present your personal opinion regarding all of them. Relate the main problem to modern society or even separate individuals. Use solid arguments extracted from the primary source and compare your perspective to the one the author has. End this part with a strong concluding paragraph.
The deadline is approaching fast? Buy paper online and forget about stress. Qualified writers will deal with your paper while you are enjoying your time.
Writing according to the proper format is the keystone of any academic task and one of the main reasons you can count on a good grade. Use appropriate reaction paper format instructions and notes to create an outline. Subsequently, you will complete an excellent first draft from scratch. Take as an example our argumentative essay format . The outline grants you the ability to check how the reflection paper looks in the final result. It also allows moving from one paragraph to another effortless. Additionally, it helps to set the paper's proper length and avoid missing any essential details. As most academic assignments, a reaction paper consists of three main parts plus the list of citations and sources:
- Introduction
The introduction part is probably the most important one as this is the first thing your reader sees and interacts with. Within just a few sentences and one paragraph, you need to hook your reader up. Introduce your topic, state your main points, and get your reader interested in reading the response paper to its end. Avoid making your introduction too long and all over the place. Make your thesis statement straight to the point and clear. Keep in mind that you will need to get back to the topic sentence all the time while writing your paper.
The introduction is important, but it is the body paragraphs where the actual writing starts. Support all your thoughts and ideas with facts. You may also use quotes from reliable sources. But remember to keep your arguments always within the initial theme. You can add any information to support your point of view, but it should be directly related to the main topic.
The conclusion is the last part of an academic paper and this one in particular. Wonder how to summarize an article ? Here restate your thesis but avoid adding any new information to the table. Your point of view is clear, and now the reader is to decide if you were right.
Now it is clear reaction paper is a tricky thing to write. And it is always a good idea to use samples to learn from them. Mixed with various guides such as this one you are reading opens more angles of the task. Here are a few valuable notes you can consider:
- You should read the source very carefully and stay focused to get all the details noted and memorized.
- You can use something to highlight all the main ideas of the text or even write it down.
- Describe your point of view by creating a thesis. Describe it with just one single sentence for a start. Then you will develop other facts and evidence to support it.
- Use other sources to back up your reaction and ideas.
Like other writing tasks, a reaction paper has some common mistakes we need to avoid while writing. Here are a few we are sure about:
- Do not just summarize the source in your reaction paper. Your task is to analyze the content and develop your personal opinion regarding the problem and its potential solution.
- While you always need to use evidence to support your argument, use only reliable ones. Besides, your examples should directly relate to the topic.
- Do not be afraid to conflict with the author of the source. You are not supposed only to support their ideas. Your task is to present your personal opinion, and if it differs drastically from one the author has, it is okay.
Like any other writing task, a reaction paper has specific details you need to reckon with. Hopefully, this guide helped you sort things out completely. We believe that every student can request assistance during their studies, especially if they don't have enough time to cope with numerous assignments. In case any problems occur with your task, you can always ask any writer from our team to help. Just contact us in any way available, and we will create the perfect paper you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
A reaction paper aims to react to the issues described in a source and provide some counterarguments for them. More attention here is paid to the approach you take to argue the main points. The goal of a critique is mainly about HOW you present your view of a particular source. Here you focus on a more formal evaluation of the reviewed content and conduct an objective, unbiased analysis.
The difference between a reaction paper and a review is that a reaction paper includes a commentary, personal reaction, take or stand regarding a topic. On the other hand, a review synthesizes the topic, and is subjective in manner.
The process essays are a special type of academic assignments. In two words, writing a process essay is to explain to a reader ideas how to do something. If you want to know how to write a process essay, you’ll need to learn what topic to compose, how to arrange all steps into a complete instruction...
The learning process forces students to have a wide range of academic essays to be written. Some types of academic writing tasks are pretty simple to handle. In the meanwhile, there are also certain essay types which induce great problems and require professional writing skills from the one. You are...
If you are a student who is looking for some guide, tips on how to write a good exploratory essay, that’s the ticket. Consider it done, you’ve found what you are looking for. Read the article and you will learn what is an exploratory essay, how to write it, how to choose the topic, find the problem ...
How to Write a Reaction Paper
Guide for Writing a Reaction Paper
A reaction paper is a common assignment in most high schools and universities. It gives students the chance to show their understanding of source material by asking them to summarize, analyze, and give their personal opinion. A reaction paper requires critical thinking as well as creative writing skills, so it can be a challenge to write. Whether you were looking for the answer on how to write a reaction paper about a movie, how to write a reaction paper example, or how to write a reaction paper to an article, you will learn everything you need including a step-by-step guide and an outline here!
What is Reaction Paper?
A reaction paper is a written assignment that asks a student to briefly summarize and then give personal opinions about a book, article, video, etc. Unlike a critique or review, the main focus is on the personal opinions, thoughts, feelings, and reactions of the student.
Struggling with the Reaction Paper?
Get your assignments done by real pros. Save your precious time and boost your marks with ease.
How to Write a Good Reaction Paper?
Writing a reaction paper takes time and effort and there are several steps to take before getting to the actual writing. These steps will help you understand the source material as well as help structure the eventual paper.
What is the purpose?
Not all reaction papers have the same purpose. While all of them ask you to analyze and give opinions about the source material, the focus of the analysis can be different. Make sure you carefully read the guidelines of the assignment and if you have any questions ask your professor for clarifications.
- Figure out whether the emphasis should be on the analysis or on your personal opinion and reaction.
- The professor may ask you to react to the source material in a way that relates to the course that you are taking. For example, a reaction paper for a sociology class will be different from a reaction paper for an economics class even if the source material is the same.
- Sometimes you may be asked to compare one source material to another piece of writing similar to a compare and contrast essay.
- A reaction paper can focus more on objective analysis or subjective opinion
- Remember that the goal of a reaction paper is not just to state your opinion. Any claim you make must be backed up by evidence from the source material.
- The purpose of a reaction paper is not to say whether you liked the source material or not, it is to analyze it and connect its deeper meanings to larger themes.
Go over the source material several times
Just because it's called a reaction paper doesn't mean you can get away with going over the source material once and then quickly writing down what you felt about it. Even if you are trying to learn how to write a reaction paper to a movie, you can't just watch the movie once. Make sure that you give yourself enough time to go over the source material at least a few times. Not only do you have to understand every element of the source material, but you also need time to process, think about, analyze, and make connections.
While it's good to think about deeper concepts when going through the source material for the first time, just focus on getting a general feeling about the article or movie. Focus on your specific insights and reactions when going over the source material for the second and third times.
What to do after your first go through
After the first time you read the article or watch the video, spend some time writing down your initial reactions. Think of this as a brainstorming session where there are no bad ideas, write down whatever you want. This can include opinions of what you thought the strengths and weaknesses were, what you liked and didn't like, deeper meanings and connections that jumped out at you, connections to your course, etc.
The importance of notes
After you have your initial reactions down, it's time to go over the source material again and take in-depth notes. If it’s an article or a book, print it out so that you can take notes in the margins. Highlight important quotes or pieces of information, draw arrows connecting different sections, write yourself notes and reminders in the margins, draw diagrams that help you understand the structure of the article, do whatever helps you understand the material better. No one else is going to see the notes you make so be as creative as you want to be. The more time you spend taking notes the better you will understand the source material and the easier writing the reaction paper will be.
Craft a thesis statement
Think of a thesis statement for a reaction paper as the main takeaway from your analysis. A good thesis statement is concise and focused. It should help guide the rest of your paper with every paragraph lending support to your thesis statement. You can come up with a thesis statement by asking yourself what the goal of the author was, how the source material impacts the world, what are the motivations of the main characters, what was the purpose of the source material, what were the major strengths or weaknesses of the source material, etc.
Paragraph Structure
Making a reaction paper outline is a useful endeavor because it helps organize your notes and understand the flow of the paper overall. A reaction paper follows a typical five-paragraph essay format with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The next section will go in-depth into how to write a reaction paper section by section.
In general, the first introductory paragraph should contain a brief summary of the source material. The body paragraphs should start with a clear topic sentence followed by evidence for the claim that you are making, and the conclusion should reiterate the thesis and main evidence.
When making an outline, write down the topic sentence and then a quick list of evidence that backs it up. Make sure that each paragraph connects to your thesis statement so that you don't lose focus during the paper. A useful way to structure each paragraph is to first elaborate on something from the source material and then give your opinion backed by evidence.
Using quotations
Once you have an outline and understand how the paragraphs will be structured, go through your notes and find specific quotations from the text that back up your claims. Don't just list quotations, make sure you analyze them and explain why they are important as evidence. Depending on the word count of the assignment you should limit the length of quotations and paraphrase when necessary.
Revise and Edit
Once you're done writing your paper make sure that you go over it a few times. This is to get rid of typos and other silly mistakes, but more importantly to check for flow and clarity. You may find that certain paragraphs work better in a different order, or even that certain topic sentences don't back up the thesis statement. This is your chance to make your paper the best it can possibly be, so make sure you spend some time reviewing and editing.
Double-check your assignment guidelines
It's always a good idea to check your assignment guidelines once you are done with any type of assignment. You’ve put in all the hard work and you don't want to get a lower grade than you deserve because of something silly. Question what the assignment guidelines are asking you to do and make sure that you have followed all the rules.
Did you like our Reaction Paper Guide?
For more help, tap into our pool of professional writers and get expert essay editing services!
A reaction paper follows a typical five-paragraph format structure of essay writing. Let's take a look at each section.
Introduction
Like any type of writing, the first sentence of a reaction paper should engage the reader and make them want to find out more. Write a catchy hook by making a provocative statement about the source material, hinting at an interesting conclusion or reaction, stating an interesting fact or anecdote, etc.
Next, give some background information about the source material including the name of the article, the author, where and when it was published, any awards won, etc.
Follow this up with a concise summary of the source material. Remember, the goal of a reaction paper is to objectively analyze and then give personal opinions backed by evidence, so don’t take a lot of time on the summary in the introduction. The goal of the summary is to give readers an idea of what the source material is about, so highlight the most important elements and skip details. Specific information about the source material will come up as quotations and evidence in the body paragraphs.
End with your thesis statement.
Depending on the purpose of the assignment, your first body paragraph may be an expanded version of a summary or evaluation of the source material.
More typically the body paragraphs are where you talk about your reactions to the source material and back it up with evidence. Make sure that each body paragraph talks only about 1 claim you are making and that each body paragraph relates to your thesis statement. You can ask yourself the following questions to come up with ideas for specific body paragraphs.
- What were the main themes of the source material and how do they connect with your thesis statement?
- Is there a connection between the source material and real-world events?
- How does the source material relate to your course?
- What are the major claims that the source material is making?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the source material and why?
- Did the source material impact your emotions in any way and how did it achieve it?
- Did the source material change your perspective on an important issue?
Conclusion
The conclusion paragraph should restate your thesis as well as the topic sentences of each paragraph. Concisely explain the main pieces of evidence you have used to support your thesis, and briefly speak about any larger implications of the work.
You may be required to have a brief work cited page. This will usually be quite short because the main source is the specific source material. Just make sure to know what citation convention you need to use.
A reaction paper is one of the most enjoyable assignments for a student because it allows you to experience and give your opinion about something you like if you were given the freedom to choose the source material, or something interesting if it was assigned by the professor. The most important thing to remember is to stay as objective as possible while expressing your opinion by backing up any claim you make with evidence. If you have any more questions or need any help with writing a reaction paper, the experts at Studyfy are always here for you.
Featured Posts
How to write a business plan.
How to Write a Marketing Plan
How to Write a Movie Review
How to Write a Lab Report
How to Write a Research Proposal
How to Write a Case Study
Skip to content. | Skip to navigation
Masterlinks
- About Hunter
- One Stop for Students
- Make a Gift
- Access the Student Guide
- Book an e-tutor Session
- Apply to Become a Peer Tutor
- Access the Faculty Guide
- Request a Classroom Visit
- Refer a Student to the Center
- Request a Progress Report
- Request a Classroom Workshop
- The Writing Process
- The Documented Essay/Research Paper
- Writing for English Courses
- Writing Across the Curriculum
- Grammar and Mechanics
- Business and Professional Writing
- CUNY TESTING
- | Workshops
- Research Information and Resources
- Evaluating Information Sources
- Writing Tools and References
- Reading Room
- Literary Resources
- ESL Resources for Students
- ESL Resources for Faculty
- Teaching and Learning
- | Contact Us
Each semester, you will probably be asked by at least one instructor to read a book or an article (or watch a TV show or a film) and to write a paper recording your response or reaction to the material. In these reports—often referred to as response or reaction papers—your instructor will most likely expect you to do two things: summarize the material and detail your reaction to it. The following pages explain both parts of a report.
PART 1: A SUMMARY OF THE WORK
To develop the first part of a report, do the following:
- Identify the author and title of the work and include in parentheses the publisher and publication date. For magazines, give the date of publication.
- Write an informative summary of the material.
- Condense the content of the work by highlighting its main points and key supporting points.
- Use direct quotations from the work to illustrate important ideas.
- Summarize the material so that the reader gets a general sense of all key aspects of the original work.
- Do not discuss in great detail any single aspect of the work, and do not neglect to mention other equally important points.
- Also, keep the summary objective and factual. Do not include in the first part of the paper your personal reaction to the work; your subjective impression will form the basis of the second part of your paper.
PART 2: YOUR REACTION TO THE WORK
To develop the second part of a report, do the following:
- Focus on any or all of the following questions. Check with your instructor to see if s/he wants you to emphasize specific points.
- How is the assigned work related to ideas and concerns discussed in the course for which you are preparing the paper? For example, what points made in the course textbook, class discussions, or lectures are treated more fully in the work?
- How is the work related to problems in our present-day world?
- How is the material related to your life, experiences, feelings and ideas? For instance, what emotions did the work arouse in you?
- Did the work increase your understanding of a particular issue? Did it change your perspective in any way?
- Evaluate the merit of the work: the importance of its points, its accuracy, completeness, organization, and so on.
- You should also indicate here whether or not you would recommend the work to others, and why.
POINTS OF CONSIDERATION WHEN WRITING THE REPORT
Here are some important elements to consider as you prepare a report:
- Apply the four basic standards of effective writing (unity, support, coherence, and clear, error-free sentences) when writing the report.
- Make sure each major paragraph presents and then develops a single main point. For example, in the sample report that follows, the first paragraph summarizes the book, and the three paragraphs that follow detail three separate reactions of the student writer to the book. The student then closes the report with a short concluding paragraph.
- Support any general points you make or attitudes you express with specific reasons and details. Statements such as "I agree with many ideas in this article" or "I found the book very interesting" are meaningless without specific evidence that shows why you feel as you do. Look at the sample report closely to see how the main point or topic sentence of each paragraph is developed by specific supporting evidence.
- Organize your material. Follow the basic plan of organization explained above: a summary of one or more paragraphs, a reaction of two or more paragraphs, and a conclusion. Also, use transitions to make the relationships among ideas in the paper clear.
- Edit the paper carefully for errors in grammar, mechanics, punctuation, word use, and spelling.
- Cite paraphrased or quoted material from the book or article you are writing about, or from any other works, by using the appropriate documentation style. If you are unsure what documentation style is required or recommended, ask you instructor.
- You may use quotations in the summary and reaction parts of the paper, but do not rely on them too much. Use them only to emphasize key ideas.
- Publishing information can be incorporated parenthetically or at the bottom of the page in a footnote. Consult with your instructor to determine what publishing information is necessary and where it should be placed.
A SAMPLE RESPONSE OR REACTION PAPER
Here is a report written by a student in an introductory psychology course. Look at the paper closely to see how it follows the guidelines for report writing described above.
Part 1: Summary
Document Actions
- Public Safety
- Website Feedback
- Privacy Policy
- CUNY Tobacco Policy
- AssignmentPay
How to Write a Reaction Paper
A reaction paper is a typical assignment for college students. Its main difficulty is working with resources, citing and adding references. The essence of a reaction paper is to express their point of view regarding a specific text. This part usually resembles an essay, and it is unlikely to cause you problems. However, as you write, you must reinforce your position by quoting articles or even verses. That is where you can get stuck without any ideas on how to continue the document.
We have prepared step-by-step instructions on how to write a reaction paper without stress. With this article, you will be able to solve the main problems in writing a reaction paper. If you are swamped and cannot devote your time to another homework, order reaction paper on our website. Contact Assignmentpay anytime you need and we will start collaborating.
What is a Reaction Paper
Students often confuse reaction paper and summary. This confuses them because reaction paper requires not only the summation of what they read but also the expression of their point of view. You must analyze a part of the text, express your understanding of the problem and reinforce your position with appropriate quotes. A reaction paper is the right assignment to show your attainments of analysis and critical thinking.
The reaction paper concept is reminiscent of a mixture of a research paper and an expository essay. You must provide basic information about the text that you will analyze. This includes the author, publication date, and idea of the article. Besides, you should tell readers what topic you will discuss and what is the main message of the text. Define your attitude to the text and its relevance among your audience. You will find tips for writing a good reaction paper below.
Reaction paper outline
The focus of reaction paper is always creativity. Therefore, your task is to analyze an essay, article or film. The latter option is the most frequent because when watching a movie, you can combine business with pleasure. We prepared a guide on how to write a reaction paper. Regardless of which resource you need to evaluate, here is a step-by-step action plan:
- Review the requirements. Your task may consist of the analysis of a specific issue, the submission of information by the author or the relevance of the data. Find out at the beginning to determine the approach you need.
- Read the text. You should read the publication by taking notes and writing down key factors. This will help you create a skeleton of paper and attract the attention of readers.
- Create a reaction paper outline. Write down ideas for the introduction and body paragraphs. Make a list of sources that can illustrate your position. Such a plan will help you keep keeping all thoughts in one place.
- Analyze the target audience. If only the teacher sees your assignment, check for the required items.
In addition to it, you can take a look at the reaction paper examples. It is an opportunity to find some inspiration.
Don't have time to finish? Try to write an academic paper with us
- Free revision policy for $20 FREE
- Free bibliography & reference for $15 FREE
- Free title page for $5 FREE
- Free formatting for $10 FREE
The proper reaction paper format
First of all, you should familiarize yourself with the requirements of the teacher. If you have not found instructions regarding the structure of the document, use the standard reaction papers format. Like most papers, the reaction one consists of the introduction, a few body paragraphs and summarizing conclusion. However, you also have to create a list of citations and references. Let’s take a look at each part.
The introduction
You should use the introduction to interest the reader and make him continue reading. In the first paragraph, you should talk about the topic of the paper, add a thesis and key ideas. Note that the thesis should state your central position, which you will explain further. Use brainstorming to fit your thoughts into multiple sentences.
The bulk of the paper should consist of 3-4 paragraphs. Each of them should have an argument, proof, and reinforcement in the form of a quote. Start with the strongest idea that will be the center of the paper. Each proposal should continue the idea, develop it. I work with arguments, make sure that they do not contradict the thesis. Moreover, the arguments should be proof of the thesis, a way to describe it from different angles.
When moving between paragraphs, use catchy phrases. For example, add a rhetorical question at the end of the paragraph that matches the next argument. At the beginning of the paragraph, we recommend using statistics or scientifically proven facts. This works especially well if you write a reaction paper about a documentary or science fiction.
The conclusion and citations
Writing a conclusion is a great opportunity to remember and leave the reader impressed. The final paragraph should combine the key elements of the paper. Rephrase the thesis and put your arguments in several sentences. Some people begin familiarizing themselves with the paper with a conclusion, so it should be concise and clear.
Read the conclusion to your friends and ask them to describe the paper’s arguments. In conclusion, you would be better off recalling your point of view to summarize what was said. To put it another, the conclusion is an excerpt from a whole paper.
An important difference between reaction paper is that you must add a paragraph with citations and links. Therefore, write down the details of each resource that you use. The list of quotes will help both the reader and you. This is a great opportunity to explore the topic more deeply and find out different opinions.
How to Write a Reaction Paper Step by Step
It’s time to go through the key elements of an outstanding reaction paper.
SUMMARY/SYNOPSIS: What are you reacting to?
Explain how you feel about the topic, the author’s arguments, and his approach to the problem. Be sure to include the name of the paper and the subject of discussion. This will help the reader tune in to the desired wave.
ANALYSIS/EVALUATION: Write about strengths and weaknesses of the piece
Explain how you understand contentious issues. I answer questions, feel confident and do not hesitate. Tell how convincingly the author argues his position. Suggest your option for structuring information. Evaluate the quality of the text, make a list of shortcomings. Be direct and unbiased.
YOUR REACTIONS
Add your attitude to both topic and article, make a list of emotions that have arisen. Think about what kind of associations that book or movie is causing you. Tell who you advise that resource in which areas you can use the materials discussed. Perhaps you want to continue researching that issue or gather an interested audience.
Reaction Paper Example and Samples
If you want to practice creating reaction papers, use examples of reaction paper from older students or online authors. This is a great opportunity to improve your understanding of work standards and broaden your horizons. When reading reaction documents, emphasize successful elements and failed structures. Pay attention to references, evaluate resources for reliability. Try to conduct a study and draw conclusions.
Still have any questions? Contact our professional team and we will to help you solve your problem.
Need some help with your reaction paper.
Creating a reaction paper requires commitment and attention. You must devote yourself to paper and document analysis. Tired of spending all your time on homework? Consider ordering a paper from Assignmentpay.com. We care about both paper quality and following the deadlines. Still, thinking? Hurry up to order reaction paper at the sweetest price?
Lana is the youngest expert in our team, yet very hardworking and experienced. She has graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds an M.D. in Chemical Engineering. Lana is especially interested in chemistry, biology, and medicine, so if you need a top-quality assignment in these fields, this author with 3 years of writing experience will happily complete it for you.
Please, enter your name
Please, enter your Email
No, I don't want to save money
- EXPLORE Random Article
- Quizzes New
- Train Your Brain New
- Improve Your English New
- Support wikiHow
- H&M Coupons
- Hotwire Promo Codes
- StubHub Discount Codes
- Ashley Furniture Coupons
- Blue Nile Promo Codes
- NordVPN Coupons
- Samsung Promo Codes
- Chewy Promo Codes
- Ulta Coupons
- Vistaprint Promo Codes
- Shutterfly Promo Codes
- DoorDash Promo Codes
- Office Depot Coupons
- adidas Promo Codes
- Home Depot Coupons
- DSW Coupons
- Bed Bath and Beyond Coupons
- Lowe's Coupons
- Surfshark Coupons
- Nordstrom Coupons
- Walmart Promo Codes
- Dick's Sporting Goods Coupons
- Fanatics Coupons
- Edible Arrangements Coupons
- eBay Coupons
How to Write a Philosophy Paper
Last Updated: May 6, 2021
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 122,326 times.
Writing a philosophy paper is quite different from other types of papers. In a philosophy paper, you have to provide an explanation of a philosophical concept and then either support or refute that concept. This means that you have to fully understand the concepts that you read about and you have to do some philosophy of your own to respond to these concepts. While writing a philosophy paper may be challenging, it is possible with some careful planning and hard work.
Planning Your Philosophy Paper
- Try to begin developing your ideas for your philosophy paper as soon as you get the assignment. Jot down your ideas and use some of your spare time to think about what you want to write about.
- Having a solid understanding of the concepts covered in your readings is essential to create an effective paper. Otherwise, your explanation of the philosophy may be flawed or your argument may not hold up.
- If any part of the assignment is unclear, ask your professor for clarification.
- You can also think of your audience as a person who has some knowledge of philosophy, but who does not have the same understanding as you do. Therefore, if you introduce a special term or concept, you will need to define it for your audience.
- Only use a quote when it is necessary to support your point of view.
- Make sure to provide a citation for every quote or paraphrase that you use from a source. Include the author’s name as well as a page number.
- For example, if you plan to refute Aristotle’s idea that beauty is related to virtue, then you would have to provide a brief explanation of why. One reason that you may cite might be that beautiful people are not always virtuous. In this case, your thesis might be something like, “Aristotle’s concept that beauty is related to virtue is false because beauty is often found in those who lack virtue.”
- You will need to place your thesis at the end of the first paragraph in your essay.
- ideas for your introduction
- your thesis
- main points of your explanation
- main points in your evaluation along with supporting evidence
- potential objections and your refutations
- ideas for your conclusion
Drafting Your Philosophy Paper
- Try to avoid padding your work with extra words. This makes it hard for your readers to understand what you mean.
- Look up new words before you used them. If you like to use the thesaurus feature of Word when you write, just make sure that you are looking up the meanings of these words before you include them. The thesaurus does not always provide suggestions that are grammatically correct or equivalent in meaning to the original word.
- Avoid introductions that provide a sweeping overview of your topic, such as “Since the dawn of time…” or “All people everywhere have wondered….” Instead, jump right into the topic. For example, you might lead in with something like, “Aristotle often draws a line between beauty and virtue in his work.”
- Do not add or leave out any details that might provide you with an advantage when you start to evaluate the philosophy. Otherwise, your professor may consider your argument to be less effective.
- Stick to the relevant details of the argument. Do not explain things that you do not plan to argue against in your paper unless they are absolutely necessary for understanding your point. [13] X Research source
- One great way to support your thesis is by using examples that you draw from personal experiences or that you create. For example, if you are arguing that beauty and virtue are unrelated, then you might give an example of a convicted criminal who many consider to be beautiful.
- Don’t worry about handling every single objection. Focus on handling the three biggest objections that your opponents might raise.
- For example, if you are arguing that beauty and virtue are not related, then you might identify an objection that some studies have demonstrated that some men are less attracted to women with undesirable personality traits, despite their beauty.
- For example, you might explain what your paper has established or how it has added to a philosophical conversation. [17] X Research source If your paper is about Aristotle’s concept of the relationship between virtue and beauty, you might discuss how your findings demonstrate the modern separation of image and personality.
Revising Your Philosophy Paper
- If possible set aside your paper for at least three days, but keep in mind that even setting aside your paper for a few hours before you revise is better than nothing.
- When you revisit your paper, read it with a focus on the content. Do your arguments hold up? If not, how might you improve them? Are the concepts in your paper clear and easy to understand? If not, how might you clarify these concepts?
- Try asking a classmate or friend (preferably someone who you know to be a good writer) to take a look at your paper and give you some feedback.
- Many universities also have writing centers where students can make an appointment and get some feedback from a trained writing tutor. This can also help you to develop effective strategies for revising your own work.
- You can also make an appointment with your professor if he or she is willing to provide feedback before you submit the paper. Just make sure that you request an appointment at least one week before the paper is due. Otherwise, your professor may not have time to meet with you.
- To proofread, go through your paper and correct any typos, grammatical errors, or other minor flaws before you print and/or submit your work. Try reading your paper out loud or reading it backwards one sentence at a time. Mark any errors you find with a highlighter or pencil.
Community Q&A
You Might Also Like
- ↑ http://www1.cmc.edu/pages/faculty/AKind/Intro01s/writing.htm
- ↑ http://philosophy.fas.harvard.edu/files/phildept/files/brief_guide_to_writing_philosophy_paper.pdf
- ↑ http://www.mit.edu/~yablo/writing.html
About this article
To write a philosophy paper, start with an introduction that grabs your reader’s attention and provides a preview of your argument. After that, explain your argument in a clear, objective manner with all of the relevant details. Then, evaluate your argument by providing examples that support your thesis such as, if you are arguing that beauty and virtue are unrelated, you could give an example of a convicted criminal who many consider beautiful. Finally, identify the strongest objections to your argument, refute these objections, and conclude with a summary of your paper. For more tips, like how to revise your paper, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No
Did this article help you?
- About wikiHow
- Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- Do Not Sell or Share My Info
- Not Selling Info
- How It Works
- Our Writers
How to write a Reaction Paper? What is Expected?
The word “critical” is often associated with a negative perspective, not in this case. How to write a critical analysis essay? “There is not enough time to organize my thoughts and plan the assignment. Worse, I lack crucial writing skills and have no clue how to write a critical analysis article.” Do not fret, and the article contains information on how to go about a critical analysis composition.
What Is a Critical Essay?
A critical essay is like all other academic essays. It analyses and interprets the text. The goal is to help the student demonstrate their analytical abilities and their comprehension level on literature. The student is to make claims based on the theme of the book or article. Critical means evaluating the significance of the episode and judging the quality of the content. The claims ought to be backed from primary or secondary sources. Do not confuse a critical essay with a report.
To write an excellent critical analysis essay, you require a thorough understanding of the film, video, book, art, photography and other subjects. Despite the various themes, all critical essay share common characteristics:
Steps to Writing Good Critical Analysis Paper
A well-done essay must be organized properly and describes the author’s attitude towards the work done by another writer or artist. We all want to score a high grade in our assignments, so let’s discover how to write a critical analysis essay step by step.
a) Essential Reading
To write a good critical analysis essay paper, you need to understand the text not by going through the academic writing but by reading in between the author’s line to uncover the intended message or the slightest mistake. You are looking for something peculiar about the writer's work, both positive and negative. Identify the main ideas and what makes the characters appealing to you and other readers. Did the author achieve the intended purpose while narrating the message? If there are unfamiliar terms, it is advisable to research the meaning to help you better understand the material.
b) Create an Outline
Not planning is planning to fail in all aspects of life. Make a plan on how to write the critical composition. A great outline will make the writing easier and narrow your focus. Take note of the format of the paperwork and remember to ingrate the basic essay structure discussed above. Following the essay structure paying close attention to the introductory phrase. A detailed outline means you are halfway through with your assignment.
с) The introductory statement
The introductory clause is crucial in all academic essays. In all writing assignments always ensure you have a killer introduction. The statements should hook the reader, get them into paying more attention to what is in your essay. Include the author’s thesis statements and at the end of the paragraph include your thesis statement. Write and rewrite the item several times if necessary until you get it right. On the Studicus.com browse through our blog section and read an article on how to write an introduction for a critical analysis essay.
d) Practice
Unless you are an experienced online writer, it is unlikely you will write a perfect essay on the first attempt. You have to draft several rough articles before settling on the best copy. It is also advisable to practice active reading. Active reading is a technique that helps the reader to stay focused and retain more information. Therefore, if you are experiencing trouble reading the literature books, active reading is an excellent strategy though it takes time and works to master the skills.
e) Active Reading
There is a bad habit of glossing through the papers when we are bored with the book or find a problematic passage. Take a moment and identify the new words and quiz your understanding of the words.
What is the thesis of the text you are reading? Remember you have to include the argument in your introduction and the main idea may be hidden in the passages.
Create a preliminary outline of the text, and you can use it as a reverse of creating a framework of your own. The exercise helps your brain better plug in the information into your article. As you read, try to create a mental picture, more like a sketch of the information contained in the book. Critically analyzing the text will create wanders as you write your work.
In conclusion, it is evident writing a critical analysis paper is easy. It needs mental preparation and enough time to read the text and understand. It is no brainer that most students find it challenging to finish the assignment on time. Have you been in a situation wondering “who will do my essay?” Look no further, Studicus.com is the solution.
Buy college essays from professional online writers at an affordable price. The quality of our content is high, and we promise a full refund if unsatisfied with our service. What’s more, we have attractive packages and seasonal discounts making our prices the cheapest in the academic writing industry.
What do you need? A computer and an internet connection. Visit our website today and quickly place your order. We guarantee to deliver on time.
- The thesis statement Why are you writing the essay? At the beginning of the student paperwork, include a statement that summarizes the content of the paper. The thesis should be captivating and influence the readers to continue reading.
- Body The thesis must be supported with ideas and other evidence. Create your proof in the form of text that is, dialogues, intriguing questions, statistics, facts and quotes from famous sources. Make use of imagery to bolster the argument. The paragraphs should be short and the sentences concise. Make use of explicit language to make your arguments.
- Conclusion The body is the heart of the essay. It includes all the main points and corresponding evidence. To write a conclusion to a critical analysis essay, sum up all the leading facts, in short, simple sentences. The end of the article determines the final grade.
We'll email you a temporary link to change your password.
We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy
- A Research Guide
- Writing Guide
- Assignment Writing
How to Write a Reaction Paper
Reaction paper – meaning of a term.
Beside the definition of a reaction paper, many scholars find it hard to understand its meaning even though they come across this paper a few times in their career. It is true that for every action there is always a reaction and the same does apply to reading. When you are asked to write a reaction paper, you should not take it as being difficult at all because the examiner is just trying to test your ability to review the work of other authors and give personal opinions that are sensitive to the subject.
You may be asked to write a reaction paper indirectly, and you have to get the intention of the examiner fast. A good example is that you may be asked to give a critique about a certain subject, and this would constitute a reaction paper, or to write a review about a literature book; it also falls into the same group.
A reaction paper is mainly based on response towards certain deeds in a story. Before getting to the reaction paper, one has to analyze the subject under investigation and acquire all the useful information before providing a critique on the matter.
The key thing in writing a reaction paper is giving an opinion on a subject and supporting your statement relevantly to the satisfaction of whoever would be reading your work. Let the reader be convinced that you are right and go by your opinion on the matter. A reaction paper usually has two audiences, the first audience is the readers of your work and the second one is the referees who choose the appropriate articles to post. In most cases, reaction papers might be used in the future for references by other authors, and therefore you should come up with clear content.
How to start a reaction paper
Some of the questions to ask yourself before you start a reaction paper include “what is my feeling about the intention of the writer of the book I am reviewing?” You have to understand the main objective of the author and know the feeling about it.
The start of any essay determines the score of the piece when grading it. If you go through various samples of reaction papers you will find out that the following guide is useful for starting your work:
- The context – while starting your writing you should first introduce the reader to the topic through a small background story on this theme. The reader should be able to understand it so that when you begin giving your opinions, they are not left hanging.
- The need – your readers should see the need for your opinion on the book or movie you are writing about, so you have a task of creating suspense to attract them to your work. You can do this by stating the significance of your opinion and how it impacts the lives of others.
- Thesis statement – you have to include a thesis statement at the beginning of your writing. The thesis constitutes a summary of the piece you are reacting to, the major points of it and the contradiction in opinions for different people.
- Details of the book – while writing about a book or a movie you have to introduce it to the reader by giving the name of the author and what the book is about. If it is a movie, you have to give the name of the movie and the characters to familiarize your reader with the piece. You also have to state the main objective of the movie or book that you are writing about in the introduction.
Reaction paper outline
The common topics that you might be asked to write about is a literature book or a movie. Most students are usually asked to prepare a critique for a movie because, in the modern world, this is one of the trending entertainment resources that most people are fond of watching. Movies are influential to many people, and utilized to pass their information to the audience.
To come up with great content for your movie or book analysis, you have to:
– Watch a movie and note down the main points in the episodes. If it is a book, you have to reread it and get all the themes found in the story before you can start complementing on it.
– After reading/watching the piece, the next step is evaluating the story and figuring out the needs of the paper. You have to get back to the instructions given by your examiner. You may be asked to react to a specific part of the story, and you have to center your opinions to that section, so the instructions of the examiner are very key because your paper must reflect the question. If you are asked to write on a specific part, then you will need to quote a sentence or theme of that region and relate it to the purpose of the author. There are two types of reactions you might be asked to write by your teacher.
First, you may be asked to give personal opinions concerning a certain theme in a book. In this case, the opinions that you give should be centered on your personal experience and the knowledge you have on the topic. The second option is that you might be asked to write about the opinion of the author for the literature resource allocated. In this case, you will have to major your points on what the author was thinking concerning the idea and not your own opinions. You are restricted to talk about the theme depending on how it is brought up in the book.
After understanding the essence of the question, you have to reread the book and note the information that would be useful for your content. It is good to repeat this several times so that you can have all the story at your fingertips and it would help you to avoid writing the ideas that are not evident in the source given.
Writing a reaction paper is mainly based on how you feel or think about something. After reading through the paper, you should annotate the text so that you do not miss any essential information.
Explain the personal opinion about the piece and illustrate using evidence from credible sources. In your explanation, be certain to include examples to act as a backup to your statement.
We also know that some students experience difficulties with writing some particular kinds of papers. Use the best essay writing services to get help, if that’s the case.
Format of reaction paper
A reaction paper adopts different formats depending on the instructions given. A reaction paper is divided into several parts. To organize your work, you have to understand every part of the essay and what it entails. In a reaction paper, just like in any other essay format, there is the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Besides the three main parts, a reaction paper constitutes the citation list.
- The introduction – the introduction is the face of your paper and therefore as a writer you have to make sure that it looks attractive and increases the urgency of the reader to proceed to your body paragraphs. In the introduction, you have to give a small description of the author and the main problems and ideas on the story. It should not be too long, as it will be boring to the reader; a good introduction should have three to four sentences. Immediately after the introduction, you should write a thesis statement which should be clear and brief.
- The body is the main section, where all the ideas for your essay are explained. In your body paragraphs, you should start each one with a topic sentence. The topic sentence should reflect the idea to be described in the section. You should include appropriate sources to back up your opinions. In the body, you can add theoretical evidence to support your statement.
- The conclusion – in writing your conclusion you should link your thesis statement with a summary of the ideas in the body paragraphs. A good way of encrypting your conclusion is by touching on the major points in summary then wrapping up everything by clarifying your opinion.
- List of citations – while writing a reaction paper you have to include the citation for the sources you have used within your paper. The sources used should be credible and scholarly so that they can persuade the reader.
Useful information: What does a research paper look like ?
Examples of reaction papers
To advance your skills in writing a reaction paper, you have to go through various samples. When you read and analyze them, you can be able to note the common mistakes made by writers and avoid them in your work. There are many reaction paper topics that one may be asked to write on, such as movies and novels. Most of papers samples are found in articles, journals, magazines and even educational websites. By going through various examples, you get exposed to different topics, and this improves your knowledge so that you cannot be taken aback when given any of them.
However, if you need your own unique paper, we suggest getting help from academic writing platform:
Get Writing Help
By clicking "Log In", you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We'll occasionally send you account related and promo emails.
Sign Up for your FREE account
Diana from A Research Guide Don't know how to start your paper? Worry no more! Get professional writing assistance from our partner. Click to learn more
IMAGES
COMMENTS
1. Write your introduction. Make sure your introductory paragraph states the name of the text, the author, and the focus of your paper. You may also want to include the year of publication and the publication it was taken from if relevant. It is also good to include the topic of the text and the author's purpose.
1. Keep it short and sweet. A typical reflection paper is between 300 and 700 words long. Verify whether or not your instructor specified a word count for the paper instead of merely following this average. If your instructor demands a word count outside of this range, meet your instructor's requirements. 2.
3. Create the paper's outline. Again using your notes, start building the framework for your arguments. Fleshing out these ideas while writing your reaction will be much easier and more organized when you're following an outline. 4. Compose the first draft. Use your outline to form the first draft of your work.
Make a reaction essay outline. The outline is the backbone of your content, which will serve as your compass during the actual writing process. Compose the draft. Use the outline as a structure and add details, evidence, and facts to support your claims. Then add an introduction and a conclusion to the final draft.
Writing is a process that is more effective if you follow it step by step. Take notes while reading. This way you can keep track of your reaction. Read the text several times. The first two times you are processing the content, but after a third time, you start creating your own thoughts.
Within just a few sentences and one paragraph, you need to hook your reader up. Introduce your topic, state your main points, and get your reader interested in reading the response paper to its end. Avoid making your introduction too long and all over the place. Make your thesis statement straight to the point and clear.
reference: https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Reaction-Paper for education purposes only copyright infringement not intended-- Created using Powtoon -- Free sig...
View How to Write a Reaction Paper (with Pictures) - wikiHow.pdf from ENGINEERIN 7595 at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University. 11/19/2019 How to Write a Reaction Paper (with Pictures) -
A reaction paper follows a typical five-paragraph essay format with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The next section will go in-depth into how to write a reaction paper section by section. In general, the first introductory paragraph should contain a brief summary of the source material. The body paragraphs should start with ...
How do you write a reaction paper? Is it the same with writing a reflection paper? Let's #LearnWithLyqa!💡 CONNECT WITH @Team Lyqa 💡Main channel: Team LyqaT...
Go into detail on your findings and reactions related to the text and try to maintain consistency and a clear flow throughout the body of your response paper. 5. Summarize your thoughts. In the conclusion of your response paper, sum up your reactions, ideas and arguments concerning the text. Draw inference when possible and a clear summary of ...
To develop the first part of a report, do the following: Identify the author and title of the work and include in parentheses the publisher and publication date. For magazines, give the date of publication. Write an informative summary of the material. Condense the content of the work by highlighting its main points and key supporting points.
Create a reaction paper outline. Write down ideas for the introduction and body paragraphs. Make a list of sources that can illustrate your position. Such a plan will help you keep keeping all thoughts in one place. Analyze the target audience. If only the teacher sees your assignment, check for the required items.
Whatever your topic is, you will have to have a thesis. 3. Use your main ideas and thesis to write your hook. Make sure the hook leads into your introduction and your paper. That is, make sure your hook is relevant to your thesis, and to your paper as a whole. In particular, keep the tone of your paper in mind; a serious paper should not begin ...
1. Put your paper aside for a few days. Revising is easier if you can take a break from what you have written for a few days. After you return to the paper again, you will have a fresh perspective that should help you to improve the content of your work more easily than if you had attempted to revise it right away.
Write and rewrite the item several times if necessary until you get it right. On the Studicus.com browse through our blog section and read an article on how to write an introduction for a critical analysis essay. d) Practice. Unless you are an experienced online writer, it is unlikely you will write a perfect essay on the first attempt.
The key thing in writing a reaction paper is giving an opinion on a subject and supporting your statement relevantly to the satisfaction of whoever would be reading your work. Let the reader be convinced that you are right and go by your opinion on the matter. A reaction paper usually has two audiences, the first audience is the readers of your ...