Writing your response for a Summary Response Essay
- 2. Advice for Writing Your Response Your response should address the topic and ideas in the original material and not discuss whether you liked or disliked the piece. A response is a critical look at the subject. Think deeply about what the author has to say on the topic and then reflect on your ideas about the subject. When writing a response, keep the emphasis on your argument. You may agree, disagree, or both agree and disagree with the author. No matter which way you go, add something new to the conversation.
- 3. Response Technique1 Analyzing the effectiveness of the text - In this case, the response analyzes the key features such as the clarity of the main idea, the organization of the argument, the quality of the supporting evidence, and/or the effectiveness of the author's style, tone, and voice. This is more of a critical response and is one that advanced summary response essays take.
- 4. Response Technique 2 Agreeing and/or disagreeing with the ideas in the text - Often, responders react to the ideas or the argument of the essay. In this case, the responders show why they agree and/or disagree with what the author/text says.
- 5. Response Technique 3 Interpreting and reflecting on the text - The responder explains key passages or examines the underlying assumptions or the implications of the ideas. Often the responder reflects on how his or her own experiences, attitudes, and observations relate to the text. Remember, development for your response can come from personal experience, evidence from the text, and evidence from other sources.
- 6. How Can I support My Response? Support your ideas with evidence from the article as well as from your experiences. Demonstrate why you think the way you do. Provide reasons and examples. You may also want to include evidence from another text to support your response. Use features of integrated evidence (this week’s video on Blackoard)
Editor's Notes
- #4: It may be helpful to combine 2 approaches, such as the agree and disagree along with reflection.