REACTION PAPER IS A FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY

FORMAT
•Paragraph One: Introduction
-This begins with a general statement to
catch the reader’s attention, briefly summarize
the main points of the essay, and end with a
main idea statement (thesis).
Body
• Paragraph Two: supporting detail #1
•paragraph three: supporting detail #2
•paragraph four: supporting detail #3
•Paragraph Five: Conclusion
-This restates the main idea,
briefly summarize the most
important evidence, tell the
importance of this essay, or how it
connects to the world
 Elements

•Main issue
•Reacting issue section
•Proposal implementation
•Closure
 I. SUMMARY/SYNOPSIS
II. ANALYSIS/EVALUATION
Iii . Your Reactions
 Guide in writing a reaction paper

I. SUMMARY/SYNOPSIS – what are you

reacting to? Goal: show that you
understand the opinion, main ideas,
and supporting ideas in the
documentary piece you're writing
about.
•Identify all of the basic information
about the piece, including: • the
title of the piece • the topic or
subject of the piece. in other words,
tell what the piece is about in a
word or a phrase.
II. ANALYSIS/EVALUATION – what are the
strengths and weaknesses of the piece?

Answer the "w" questions, like why, why

not, what, what if, what for, where, why
there, who, how, when . . .
specific questions you might take
up include:
• Was the piece convincing? Why or why not, specifically?
is it well-researched? why or why not? • Did the piece
overlook or leave out anything important? what? • Did
the piece overemphasize or overprivilege anything?
What? • is the piece one-sided, or does the piece present
a balanced view?
III. Your Reactions – How do you react
to the piece on a personal level? How
does the piece relate to your
experience? Goal: share your own
impressions and your own experiences
with readers.
•Here are some questions you might consider
answering: • Did the piece hold your interest?
Why or why not? • Did the piece bother or annoy
you? Why or why not? • What did you realize as
a result of watching the piece? • What questions
does the piece raise for you – about the material,
about other things?
 When reading a reaction paper…
• one expects to be informed and amused
• helps us in decision making
• tells us that we are not alone in experiencing the world
• tells us about how to survive, what to avoid, and where to
seek pleasure
• helps us process our experience and see things that we
weren’t able to see on our own