How to conduct a Reading Response INTR1012A 2024

Unlike a basic summary of a text, a reading response involves one to be critically engaging with a text
or academic work, providing your own opinion/insight, and analysis. It can be considered as a reader’s
written reaction to and opinion of a text. It is to demonstrate an understanding of the reading and explain
your support this understanding by referring to the text. The point is to help the reader to think critically
about the author’s intention or message that the author is conveying. It is also important to critique the
text, it can be positive and praise the text or it can point out problems, disagreements, or shortcomings
in the text.

Do not use the standard approach of writing “I liked this text because it is cool, and I can relate a lot to
the main argument” or “I did not enjoy the text because it goes against what I believe in”. When writing
academically, it's important to avoid using words like "I" or "me" (first person and personal pronouns).
To introduce your opinion in a reading response without using personal pronouns, you can frame it in a
more objective manner. Instead of stating "I think" or "in my opinion," you can use phrases like "it can
be argued that" or "one could argue," or "there is evidence to suggest." These phrases allow you to
present your viewpoint without explicitly stating it as your own, maintaining the academic tone and
objectivity required in formal writing.

Assume that the person reading your response already read the text and is looking at your evaluation
and understanding of it. Thus, do not summarize the context at length. In the beginning you can include
a concise summary of the text, but your summary should not be more than 20% of the response as the
rest should focus on YOUR opinion/analysis/interpretation/insight.

Best ways to conduct your reading response are as follows:

- Read Actively. Carefully or critically read the work. How do the author's words make the reader
feel, and why? What does the reader think are the most significant parts, and why? Highlight
key points/arguments and take note of the passages that stand out. Identify themes.

- Understand the Main Argument. Identify the main context of the article or text. Reflect on
how the author supports their argument and the evidence they provide for it.

- Analyse the Structure. Consider how the author introduces their topic, develops their
argument, and concludes their work.

Possible Structure for your Reading Response:

You can begin your response by mentioning the title of the work in which you are responding to, the
author and the main thesis of the text.
Then you may want to formulate the body of your response by reflecting on the main arguments of the
text and answering a few questions like what the text has to do with you and your study of IR and the
discipline, your opinion, and the value of the piece of text to what you are currently studying in the
course, the positive or negatives etc.

In your concluding sentences you may want to include your overall reaction to the text if you would
recommend it and why you would do so and anything else you see fit.

Compiled from: https://www.studocu.com/en-za/u/14989744?sid=01709974819