Overview
The purpose of the paper is to get you to be able to critically analyze a text instead of just reading it and giving me a summary. Part of doing a 'critical' reading means that you need to make specific points about the article that are supported by arguments and evidence (evidence can come from the text itself--in the form of paraphrase, summary and direct quotations--or from another text we read in class).Structure
You should strive to do the following things in your response paper:- Synopsis (first paragraph). In the most concise and descriptive terms possible, give me a synopsis of the argument being made in the article or chapter (the author's thesis and main points). Your synopsis should be well organized so that it doesn't exceed one large paragraph. A quick note: if we read multiple chapters from a book, please make sure that you don't give me a synopsis of each individual chapter. Rather, try to focus your attention on a specific chapter.
- Your thesis and main points. Following the synopsis, you need to clearly articulate your thesis. Put simply, this is where you need to tell me (the reader) how I should make sense of this article. Briefly lay out your argument and the points you want to make.
- Make your points with arguments and evidence. Now that you have given me a synopsis of the article and told me what you are going to say about it, this is the part where you actually do that work. Keep your paragraphs organized around specific points, and be sure to make use of the text whenever it's necessary (either give synopses or include direct quotations...but in either case you need to cite specific page numbers).
Other reminders
- Avoid generalities. One of the keys in this paper is to avoid generalities. For example, you can't say "the author is wrong about the way women are depicted in sports broadcasting." Instead, I want to know what the author specifically says, why he or she is incorrect....and I expect you justify your claims by providing support.
- Minimize evaluative language. Stay away from using evaluative language if you do not provide an accompanying explanation, for example: "I liked that" or "I hated the way the author says this." Instead, tell me what the author is doing or not doing, and why the author's argument works or doesn't work. The point here is to understand, critique and apply concepts from the class. So while you may like or dislike certain concepts, you need to explain your position rather than just telling me how an author makes you feel.
Format
- The paper should be 1 full single-spaced page with 1" margins and 12pt font. All I need at the top of your paper is your name.
- Submit all papers via ANGEL. If you don't know how to do that, then this is the perfect time to learn (ask one of the librarians or someone working at the computer lab).
