A reaction paper is an essay in which a student responds to a work of literature.

An example of this
is the book report, which includes a summary of a book-length narrative> It may include the
purposes and significance of the book, its structure and style, etc. A reaction paper often includes the
student’s interpretation that is, what they think the author means and then what the work personally
means to them. A reaction paper also includes literary analysis in which the student discusses a
story’s plot, theme, setting, point of view, and so on.

Procedures in writing a reaction paper

A. Reading and Pre-writing

1. Understand the purpose of the reaction paper. Reactions papers are assigned so that students
can write how they feel and think about a text–whether this be a short story, novel, or even a film,
play, lecture, or field trip. A reaction paper is not just a simple summary of a text; or where a student
can express their opinion: “I liked this story because it was interesting” or “I hated this story because
it was boring. Opinion needs to be supported by evidence; e.g., pertinent quotes from the text.

2. Figure out what is required for in the paper. Students should also consult their teacher for
specific requirements of a paper; e.g., a teacher may want an analysis or evaluation of the text, or
they may want a student’s personal response to the text. (A reaction paper is usually written in the
first person, using “I”).

3. Reading the text. A student should read the text assigned as soon as possible. They should not
wait for the last minute to read and wrirte their reaction. The text may need to be read multiple times
in order to be familiarized and to understand the text.

4. Taking down notes. While reading the text, it is helpful to record one’s impressions for reference
when one begins to write the reaction paper. For example, the student may jot down their initial
reactions to the text using writing prompts such as I think that…, I see
that…, I feel that…, or It seems that… and others. Another technique is annotating the text where the
student may write notes (or annotate) on the margins of the text. These may include notes on the plot,
highlights, or personal opinions. Annotating the text may help students locate pertinent ideas after
reading the text multiple times.

B. Drafting and writing the reaction paper

Every writing assignment is different, so students are advised to consult their instructor for specific
requirements. (For example, how many pages should the reaction paper have?) But generally, a
reaction paper has the following structure:

1. Introduction. The reaction paper may begin with a brief and accurate summary of the text;
together with backgeround information such as the name of the author and publication date, and the
author’s specific position on his/her topic. (For example, if the topic is about the death penalty, what
is the author’s stand on the issue?)

2. Discussion After the introduction, the student may not proceed with their evaluation of the text.
The student should demonstrate understanding of the text and establish their position (i.e, their thesis
or main idea). Major points supporting the student’s main idea is ideally devoted one paragraph each,
each with minor details supporting the major points. Students should keep in mind the specific
requirements their teacher gave them in their writing of the reaction paper. (For example, the teacher
may have required a technical analysis of the text, or may simply want personal opinions.)

3. Conclusion. The reaction paper should be concluded by a summary of one’s position on the text.

Revising and Proofreading

1. Editing for clarity. After writing the first draft of the react paper, it must be checked for clarity.
For example, each paragraph should be related to the main idea, and sentences within paragraphs
should support the major points. There should also be a smooth and logical flow from one idea to the
next.

2. Proofreading and spell-checking. The reaction paper should be checked for errors in spelling,
grammar, punctuation, etc.

3. Meeting writing requirements. Finally, the student should check if the assignment meets the
requirements give by the teacher. For example, the teacher may have required that the research paper
to be five pages long.

REFERENCES

Troyka, L. Q.

Savage, J. (n.d.). “How to write a reaction paper”. eHow.Com. Accessed: July 15, 2016. Retrieved:

Sachs, K. (n. d.). “How to write a reaction and reflection essay”. eHow.com. Accessed: July 15,
2016. Retrieved: WikiHow.Com. (n. d.). “How to write a reaction paper”. Accessed: July 15, 2016.