Sample Reaction Paper
A sample reaction paper can be defined as an example of a paper in which the author formulates analysis as well as reaction to a specific material such as a lecture, a reading or presentation. The purpose of any reaction paper is to focus the thinking of the author on a specific topic after examining the source material closely. A good reaction paper should summarize the work that has been studied and give a reaction towards it. To write a good reaction paper, you need to review a well-written sample especially if you are required to write one for the first time.
In a good example of a reaction paper, the reaction of the author can be a disagreement or agreement with the expressed ideas. It can be a reaction to the way the expressed ideas relate to the experience of the author or how they relate to something that the author has studied before. Additionally, the reaction of author of the example of a reaction paper can be their analysis of the audience and the author as well as the evaluation of the way the work attempts to convince the audience and its effectiveness in doing this.
How to use a sample reaction paper to write your own reaction paper
A reaction paper entails writing about your own perceptions or feelings towards a given prompt. When your instructor assigns you this paper, they want you to express your opinions towards a prompt. Although everybody has an opinion, being a student you should have a higher thinking level which should come out clearly in your reaction paper. Your paper should also be organized in a uniquely, better way. Therefore, to come up with a superior quality reaction paper, you should have what the instructor expects from you in mind. A good example of a reaction paper will enable you to know clearly what the instructor expects from you and how to present your paper.
To use a sample reaction paper in writing your own paper:
Review a sample paper
- Review a good reaction paper sample to know its purpose
There are three main aims of a reaction paper. A good reaction paper aims at demonstrating the comprehension of a student of the work that they have studied on their own or discussed during lecturers or classes. It also helps the student to keep important ideas on track in order to review them again while preparing a senior thesis. Additionally, this paper should present the reaction of the author to the studied work. After finding a sample paper, review it to establish how the author accomplishes these aims in the paper.
- Analyze the format
A reaction paper has a format that you should adhere to while writing your paper. Study a sample paper closely to master this format. A good sample paper should be double-spaced with a length of one page. An ideal reaction paper sample should not exceed two pages of between 250 and 500 words. It should include the title, name and page numbering as well as a good reference page. Additionally, it should be proofread thoroughly because this plays a vital role during evaluation. A good example of a reaction paper should be written like an essay. It should have an introduction, the body and a conclusion.
- Evaluate how the work accomplishes its purpose
A reaction paper example should demonstrate how its author comprehends the studied work. It should have a thoughtful and critical reaction to the work. Most part of the paper should be made of reaction. There are many ways of approaching a reaction writing assignment some of which can be depicted in a sample paper.
They include:
- Focusing on a particular aspect and arguing it out in relation to some ideas or issues that have been highlighted in the work. For instance, does the work support, raise tension or undermine the previously expressed or discovered concepts or issues. The sample paper should explain how the work does this and its importance.
- The sample can focus on a specific issue or theme that the work raises while giving the perspective of the author towards it. However, the paper should elaborate the opinion of the author and what their thinking is based on as well as the weaknesses and strengths of the major sides of an issue the way they see it. If the author has a personal, relevant experience, it should be expressed in the sample.
After reviewing a good sample reaction paper to comprehend these aspects put it aside and get ready to start the process of writing your own reaction paper. Remember that even if the reaction paper example that you review is written on the topic that you are required to write yours on, you should come up with a completely unique paper. Do not copy any part of the sample paper or attempt to present it as your own work because such an act amounts to plagiarism which can lead to your expulsion from college and other dire consequences.
Prepare to write your reaction paper
Before you start writing your own reaction paper, take time to prepare yourself for this task. Preparation for writing a reaction paper entails two major steps.
- Studying the work that you are reacting or responding to
Preparing to write a reaction paper entails studying the work that you have been asked to express your reaction to carefully and comprehending its different aspects. For instance, while writing a reaction paper to a book or article, read it carefully and understand its content, theme or message so that you can write about the necessary and relevant materials only. This entails taking notes of the key points so that you can discuss them thoroughly by writing about what you understand about the work and whether you agree with the author or disagree with them.
- Outlining your reaction paper
Outlining a paper simply means planning your paper just the way you can plan any other type of writing. This entails determining the main ideas that you will include in the paper and how you will support them using examples from the work that you are reacting to. Consider the format of the sample reaction paper that you reviewed to outline your paper.
Actual writing
- Write the introduction
The introduction should be the first section of your reaction paper. It should include a brief summary giving information about the work that you are required to respond or react to. Your paper should have a minimum of three sentences serving this purpose. It should include the name of the creator of the original work and its title. Additionally, your introduction should have a clearly stated thesis statement.
- State your first reaction
Your first reaction should come out concisely in the second paragraph. Preferably, it should be stated in a single, short sentence. This should be followed by the reason for that reaction or having that particular perception. Make sure that the reason refers readers to the work you are reacting or responding to. For instance, if you say, “the novel is dragging in the first chapter”, follow this statement with an example such as, “nothing provocative or exciting is done by the protagonist after the first six pages.” Substantiate the reason further with theoretical perspectives to explain your specific observation.
- Do this for the second and subsequent reactions
Apply this method in the paragraphs that follow to express the other reactions. Employ personal indicators where possible. For instance, use “I suppose,” “I think,” and “I believe.”
- Write the conclusion
Come up with a conclusion that restates your reactions and thesis. Wrap up your paper by challenging your readers or the creator of the work that you were reacting or responding to. Restate your thesis statement by paraphrasing it.
Once you have written your reaction paper, put it away for a while and review the sample reaction paper again. Go through the paper that you have written to ensure that you have adhered to all requirements of a reaction paper as depicted in the sample. Make sure that each point comes out clearly with proper justification of your thoughts or opinions. Ensure that your reaction paper is not a summary of the work that you are required to respond to or a presentation of random examples that are not related to your key points.
Use a good example of a reaction paper
You will write a good reaction paper only if you use a good sample as your guide for writing your reaction assignment. Therefore, make sure that the reaction paper example that you use is of excellent quality. You can find quality reaction paper samples at a website of a reputable academic paper writing service or sites of learning institutions. Click here for such a reaction paper sample.
Get help with your reaction paper
If you encounter difficulties while writing your reaction paper, contact us for immediate assistance. You can also visit our homepage for additional information regarding our professional writing services. Alternatively, continue reading for more guidelines for academic paper writing or to get a sample reaction paper on our blog.
Sources
http://www.umuc.edu/writingcenter/onlineguide/tutorial/chapter8/ch8-14.html
http://behavioralsciencewriting.blogspot.co.ke/2012/10/what-is-reaction-paper-how-do-i-write.html
http://public.wsu.edu/~moonlee/WritingReactionPaper.html
http://faculty.quinnipiac.edu/libarts/polsci/sample.html