Reading Responses

Over the course of this semester, you will be asked to write six reading responses on the class
textbook. Each week, you will read and then respond in writing. Your reading response should
include two main components:

1) Demonstrate clearly that you read the assigned material

2) Show thoughtful engagement with some aspect of the text

As you read, look for ideas, words, phrases, language, etc., that stand out to you or grab your
attention. You don’t need to discuss everything in the readings, and you don’t have to agree
with every claim an author makes, but you do want to show that you read and understood the
material. You’re looking for anything you find meaningful, interesting, confusing, informative, etc.

Perhaps the most important way to show that you have read and engaged with the material is
also to include quotes. What sentences or ideas speak to you most? Use them in your response
(see description in the Quotes category below).

Length requirement: min. 1 page typed and double spaced, ~2 pages handwritten (250 words).
Note: you do not need to include Works Cited for Reading Responses, but do give page #s.

Reading Response Rubric -15 pts

Needs Improvement Acceptable Excellent
(11 pts or below) (12-13 pts) (14-15 pts)
Completion 0 1
/1 pt Missing 0 / Incomplete Completed & handed in on time
or late .5 pt
Length 0 1 2
/2 pts Does not meet minimum Meets min. Substantially exceeds min.
length requirements requirements requirements in length
Content 3 or below 4-5 6
/8 pts Needs more detail & Demonstrates Thoughtful and thorough;
Responses, engagement with the sufficient thought addresses readings in a way that
thoughts, material; may not clearly and effort; clearly clearly demonstrates reflection,
discussion, demonstrate completion demonstrates critical thinking, and analysis of
questions of the readings engagement with the ideas; may also relate
the readings readings to own experience
Quotes 0 1-2 3-4
/3 pts Does not include direct Includes at least Includes several examples from
Includes quotes; quotes from the text; one example of the text with proper intro:
discusses may discuss aspects of exact language DeSalvo writes, “…” (#), followed
aspects of the the text from the text, with by thoughtful discussion &
language some discussion explanation. Includes page
number in parentheses.
Mechanics 0-.5 1
/1 Contains numerous Demonstrates adequate or excellent attention to detail;
errors that may hinder errors do not hinder readability
readability; missing page Quotes are properly cited in MLA or APA, attributed,
# or quotation marks and include page #
Total: /15