GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSE PAPERS:
You will complete two 500-word (1.5 to 2 page) response papers on the assigned
readings above that conveys to your readers (i.e., your TA and your Instructor) your
increasing capacity to think within the terms of the discipline and what you have
learned in the course. In your response, you will formulate an analysis about the
article or book as a whole or a particular point made by the author. The response
must be analytical, not simply a description of your own personal feelings about the
book (e.g. I liked it, I didn’t like it, etc.). Likewise, do not summarize the text. See
further guidelines and tips for writing a response paper below.
• Please include a title for your paper (but a title page is not necessary)
• Please use the Chicago Manual of Style (see link to American Anthropological
Association Guide for more information).
http://www.aaanet.org/publications/style_guide.pdf
• Papers must be in Times New Roman (Not in “Times” or “Calibri”) 12 pt font,
double-spaced. Pages should also be numbered, and have margins set at 1”
(2.54cm) on both the left and right sides and 1” (2.54cm) on the top and
bottom.
• Please include your name and student number at the top right hand corner of
each page of the paper.
• Hand-written work will not be accepted. In your writing, you must give credit
to the source of any and all material you quote directly or use indirectly.
Plagiarism is a crime punishable by failing the class.
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HOW TO WRITE A RESPONSE PAPER:
The response paper should have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
• Introduction:
-In the first paragraph, state your argument or the idea that you will
be discussing and briefly outline how your idea fits within the main
argument of the text.
-The introduction should provide a brief summary of what you read
and how you will apply and evaluate a particular aspect and/or
concept(s) related to the assigned reading. This is a focused statement
of your reaction and/ or response to the reading.
-If you need help consider the following: How did the reading surprise
you? Did it make you think differently about anything? Yes/no? How?
What particular point(s) or argument(s) stood out? How do you think
the author would respond to current events today? Is a concept or
idea proposed by the author useful to think with? How so?
• Body:
-The body should contain paragraphs that provide support for your
position. Each paragraph should contain and evaluate one aspect
related to the larger argument or statement presented in the
introduction.
-Decide on the key parts of the reading that will help focus your ideas.
-Develop your ideas by adding examples, quotations, and details to
your paragraphs. Be sure to include quotes from the text, and use this
citation format: (Author Year: pg.#) for example: (Mead 1928: 22).
-Make sure the last sentence of each paragraph leads into the next
paragraph.
-Check your thesis statement and make sure the topic sentence of
each paragraph supports it.
• Conclusion:
-This can be a restatement of what you said in your paper. It can also
be a comment, which focuses your overall response.
Some Tips for Writing a Response Paper
The following statements could be used in a response paper. Complete as many
statements as possible, from the list below, about what you just read.
My response to the film is that . . .
I think that…
I see that…
I feel that…
3
It seems that…
In my opinion,…
Because…
A good quote is…
In addition,…
For example,…
Moreover,…
However,…
Consequently,…
Finally,…
In conclusion,…
GRADING STANDARDS FOR RESPONSE PAPERS:
A: The argument is clearly articulated and logically developed, using relevant
evidence. The evidence used is of high quality, cleverly ordered to support the
argument with an original and creative synthesis of materials and displaying
understanding of wider issues. The presentation is of high standard.
B: The argument is well proposed, but the structure is not fully developed. The
evidence used is quite extensive but sources are not fully utilized which limits the
ability to be creative and deal with a full range of issues. The presentation is solid
but can be improved.
C: The argument is satisfactory, with some limitations, but the structure is not well
thought out. The evidence used is adequate, but insufficient to develop fully the
argument or display much originality. The presentation is adequate and could be
improved.
D: While the essay displays a basic understanding of the subject, the argument lacks
coherence and logical development. The evidence provided is basic or does not
sufficiently support the argument nor display originally or understanding of wider
issues. The presentation is not of sufficient standard.
F: The presentation is well below acceptable standard. The essay is incoherent with
glaring misunderstandings.
