BAGUIO COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Baguio City, Philippines

SUBJECT TITLE : English for Academics Purposes

MODULE TITLE : Writing the Reaction Paper (Continuation of Module 4)
MODULE NO :5
NOMINAL DURATION : 4 Hours – September 14-19, 2020
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
a. review and critique a poem;
b. create a reaction paper based on their own understanding of what they have read; and
c. make a poster representing their interpretation of the given poem.

MODULE CONTENT:
Review on Writing Reaction Paper/ Review/ Critique
A very important expository discourse that students must know how to write is the reaction paper
or review, or critique. It is mainly written to communicate a fair assessment of situations, people, events,
and literary and artistic works and performances. Whether a social commentary, or a critical judgment, it
conveys incisive insights into its analysis of events, its interpretation of the meaning or importance of a
work or artifact, or its appreciation of the moral or aesthetic values reflected in the work or performance.
It may include the main purpose of the event; the devices and strategies employed; an evaluation of its
success or failure; and an assessment of its significance and relevance, timeliness or timelessness.
Lesson Proper
STRUCTURE OF A REACTION PAPER
Introduction (5%)
‣ Title of the book/article or work
‣ Writer’s name
‣ Thesis statement
Summary (10%)
‣ Objective or Purpose
‣ Methods used (if applicable)
‣ Major findings, claims, ideas, or messages
Structure of a Reaction Paper Review/Critique (in no particular order 75%)
‣ Does the writer explicitly state his/her thesis statement.
‣ What are the assumptions?
‣ What are the contributions of the work to the field where it belongs?
‣ What problems and issues are discussed or presented in the work?
‣ What kind of information are presented in the work?
Conclusion (10%)
‣ Overall impression of the work
‣ Scholarly or literary value of the reviewed article, book or work.
‣ Benefits for the intended audience
‣ Suggestion for future direction of research
REACTION PAPER WITH NO PRESCRIBED STRUCTURE
Introduction
‣ Basic details about the material (title, director or artist name of exhibition/event)
‣ Main assessment of the material (for films and performances)
Analysis or interpretation
‣ Discussion or analysis of the work (critical approach)
‣ What aspects of the work make you think it is a success or failure?
‣ Were there unanswered questions or plot lines? If yes? How did they affect the story?
‣ How does the work relate in other ideas ore events in the world?
‣ What stood out while you were watching the film or the performance?
onclusion or Evaluation
‣ Reinforcement of main assessment
‣ Comparison to a similar work.

BCT LEARNING MODULES S.Y. 2020-2021 1

 BAGUIO COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Baguio City, Philippines

‣ Recommendation of the material (if you liked it)

Guidelines For artworks and other media
a. Use speculative verbs (evoke, create, appear, & suggest)
b. Make sure to describe it to the reader (do not spoil key events)
c. Describe the material in simple terms (artworks)
Reading the poem and reacting to it.
INSTRUCTION. Make an original reaction paper on the given poem below, by following the Structure of a
Reaction Paper.
Desiderata
(Max Ehrmann)

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be
in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the
ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare
yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be
greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career,
however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this
not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and
everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in
the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress
yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the
universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever
your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be
cheerful. Strive to be happy.

About the Author

Max Ehrmann (September 26, 1872 - September 9, 1945), an attorney from Indiana, was best
known for writing the prose poem "Desiderata" (Latin: "things desired as essential") in 1927.
Ehrmann, who was of German descent, received a degree in English from DePauw University, followed by
a degree in Philosophy from Harvard University. He then returned to his hometown of Terre Haute,
Indiana to practice law. Eventually this led him to work in his family's meatpacking business and in the
overalls manufacturing industry. Finally at the age of 41, Ehrmann decided to forget such work and
become a writer. At the age of 55 he wrote Desiderata, which achieved fame only after his death.

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