Reaction or response papers are usually assigned so that you will think carefully about what you’ve read, and determine how you feel about it. To know how you feel about it, you must first understand the story well.
The first step of your task is to select one of the stories which you have read for Weeks 1-2 and while re-reading it, think about the following questions:
What is the story about? What message is it sending? In other words, can you identify the theme, or central idea, which the writer is trying to convey? To answer these questions, you should engage in technique of close reading while thinking about all the elements of fiction we’ve discussed in class.
How do you feel about what you are reading? What do you agree or disagree with? In other words, do you agree or disagree with the story’s message?
Do you like the characters you are reading about? What views or values exist, either those of the writer or the characters? Are these similar to your own views or do they differ, and if so, to what extent?
What disturbs you about the story, if anything?
Write 3-4 well-developed paragraphs (about 500-750 words, or 2-3 double-spaced pages) about
the story, by responding to what you have read.
Keep in mind that this is not an essay, but instead, response writing: you should use the pronoun “I” and trace your own reactions to what you read. Do you like the text? If so, explain why. If you don’t it, explain that also. You should use your answers to the questions above to guide your response.
Make sure you give your response paper an interesting title that reveals your topic or highlights the story’s theme(s).
