Reading Response Paper
Your paper should directly address one or more readings assigned for the week that the paper is due. You can choose to focus on a secondary (theory) reading assigned for that day, discussing how it can be used to analyze a primary reading (assigned for that week). Reading responses must not merely repeat the material discussed in lecture. We are looking for interesting and original interpretation and discussion of the material. Each response is worth 15% of the final grade and will be graded out of 15 points. You should incorporate direct quotations into your written work to support your ideas (and don’t forget to cite properly!). Quote briefly and only that which is most pertinent.
Reading response papers offer students the opportunity to write insightfully about their own ideas in regard to selected course readings. What is your response to the text’s characters, ideologies and/or subject matter? Did something in the text elicit anger or laughter from you? Why? How did the text elicit this response? How does your response shape your understanding of the text? How does the text position you to understand the fictional world as well as your own world? These are some questions which might help you generate your own ideas. You are also welcome to base your response paper on the
research question assigned for the week that the paper is due.
The criteria for response papers are:
You are required to submit TWO (2) response papers worth 15% each.
800 words in length (No longer than 1000 words!). If papers are too long or too short, 1⁄2 of a letter grade will be deducted
Evidence of thoughtful and critical thinking.
Correct and thoughtful incorporation of some of the critical/theoretical terminology.
Demonstration of critical engagement with the primary and/or theoretical material.
Ability to incorporate some of the material from the lectures.
Grammatically correct.
Although a thesis statement is not required, it is beneficial to have one. Your paper should be focussed and in well-developed paragraphs.
Incorporation of some textual evidence (i.e. direct quotations) from the primary and
theoretical sources to support your ideas/arguments.
Must include works cited. Works cited not included in the word length.
Correct MLA formatting. If you do not use correct MLA formatting, 1⁄2 of a letter
grade might be deducted.
