Rules for Reading Responses

Carefully read these instructions before writing each response. Grades will be calculated based on these standards.

 

Rule #1: Compose in MLA style and format (12-point TNR, double-spaced, 1 inch margins, proper information in left-hand corner, running header).  You may give your response an original title that reflects your argument, or you can just insert Response 1, etc., in the space for the title (centered). See the blog for a Sample First Page in MLA format

 

Rule #2: Your response should be about 1 page (a solid paragraph or two). Paragraphs must be indented. There is no need to include a conclusion.

When the assignment calls for a PARAGRAPH the following do not qualify:

1. Three to four unrelated sentences
2. A bullet pointed list
3. An assortment of words that lack a topic sentence and supporting evidence and in the most egregious cases no subjects or verbs (for shame)
4. A short essay masquerading as a paragraph
5.  

Rule #3: Make sure to directly answer the question that you choose and to answer all aspects of that question.  This is not a free-writing assignment where you provide me with your general impressions of the essay or the essay’s content. Your task is to explore a specific question from the assigned choices. The overall premise of your response should founded on the reading assignment, and if you draw on examples/ideas beyond the essay, make sure you illustrate how they connect and how they are relevant to your position.

 

Rule #4: Make sure your response is balanced. Don't spend the majority of the page focusing on one aspect of the question and then only write one sentence referring to the other portion of the question.

 

Rule #5: Start strong and include all the necessary introductory information in the first sentence or two of your response. 

 

 In the first sentence or two of your response, you need to do the following:

5a) Reference the complete publication title. “Articles/essay titles” are placed in quotation marks, and book titles are in italics.  Capitalize the first, last and any important words in titles.

5b) Identify author's full name, and spell it correctly. After the first reference, refer to the author by last name only.

5c)  Include the date of publication (if available).

5d) Clearly state your position/answer to the question you have chosen/what you will be examining in your response. Through your word choice, this statement should provide a clear indication of what question you are answering; do not refer to question numbers.

Example of first sentence: In "Full Title of Article," Author (full name) suggests/argues/illustrates (strong verb in present tense) that... (finish your sentence with direct reference to the question that you have chosen for the prompt and clearly state your position/argument/thesis that you plan to support in your response).

 

Rule #6: Use formal writing.See CWH pages 190-192 for a review of Formal Diction.  

6a. Use 3rd person point of view (do not use 2^nd person “YOU”/use “I” very sparingly).

6b. Do not use contractions, slang, symbols, abbreviations, or conversational phrases. If you use exclamation marks, do so sparingly and purposely. This is not a text message or conversation with a friend.

6c. Use strong, present tense, verbs and vary your verb choice (see list on page 404 in Handbook).  Do not ever use the verb “talks about”; there are so many other verbs to use instead.

Examples: Campbell demonstrates, Smith identifies, This passage shows  

6d. Use strong, assertive phrases to introduce your ideas. Avoid phrases like, “I feel that the author explains....." or "I think that this statement suggests....."  Furthermore, do not ask and answer your own questions. Use statements and fitting transitions instead. (see list of transitional words and phrases on pages 68-69 in handbook).

6e. Avoid the overuse of rhetorical questions. While rhetorical questions are appropriate in some literary genres, a formal essay or response is not one of them. In this case, I provide the questions, you provide the answers. Stringing together a list of rhetorical questions tends to confuse the reader as to what your answer actually is.

6f. Eliminate Passive Voice. Yes, you speak this way, but this is not the most effective way to write. How do you prevent this? Make sure the subject of your sentence is actively completing the verb. Writing actively also eliminates wordiness.

Passive – The paper was graded by the teacher.  ACTIVE – The teacher graded the paper.

6g. Be mindful of your pronoun use. When you use pronouns like “it” or “this,” make sure that readers are clear as to what noun “it” or “this” refers. At the beginning of sentences, try to use specific nouns instead of these vague pronouns. 

 

See these links for more information about formal writing:

https://www.lib.usf.edu/writing/wcnews/formal-writing-style/

http://www.uefap.com/writing/feature/intro.htm

 

Rule #7: Do not consult any other sources either than the response text.

 

Rule #8: Include specific examples to support your claims AND explain how/why they support your claims. Reminder: this is not a summary. Your purpose is to provide analysis—to think critically about the text through the assigned questions. Thus, when you bring in an example from the text, do not assume that the example speaks for itself; make sure you fill in the blank and explain HOW the example supports your thesis/position. 

 

Rule #9:  If you include direct language from the text, make sure to include quotations and to accurately record the quotation. If you do quote material from the text, include only SHORT quotations or phrases, and make sure that you introduce the quote and weave it into your own sentence. Do not just drop lengthy quotes in between your own sentences.

 

 Rule #10: Proofread your work.  All standard grammar, mechanic, capitalization, syntax and punctuation rules apply. Consult your handbook for assistance. This is a short writing assignment. Your sentences should be direct, your ideas should be clear, and your errors should be minimal.  

 

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Make Up Response

 

"Millennials in the Workplace Training Video" 

 

Published by Official Comedy on November 23, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

After watching and thinking about "Millennials in the Workplace Training Video," respond to the following prompt:

 

Does "Millennials in the Workplace Training Video" develop a fitting/accurate depiction of Millennials and Millennial workplace culture?  Why or why not?

 

Your purpose here is to create a critical evaluation argument in which you evaluate how well or to what extent the video presents a valid or accurate evaluation of  Millennials and Millennial workplace culture. 

 

You'll want to begin your response with an evaluation thesis of the "Millennials in the Workplace Training Video."

 

Use your own language here, but think along 1 of the following lines to write your thesis:

 

the video creates a rhetorically strong depiction of Millennials and Millennial workplace culture  because...(identify 2-3 specific rhetorical criteria here)

or

the video fails to create a valid/accurate depiction of Millennials and Millennial workplace culture because...(identify 2-3 specific rhetorical criteria here)

or

to some extent, the video attempts to create a strong evaluation argument of  Millennials and Millennial workplace culture through...(identify 1 specific rhetorical criteria here), but overall it fails to do so because... (identify 2 specific rhetorical criteria here).

 

Your thesis should serve as a road map for the rest of your response. Following your thesis, you should offer and analyze examples from the video to support each of the criteria that you identify in your thesis, and you should do so by following the order of criteria as they appear in your thesis. 

 

Your criteria for evaluation should focus on the rhetorical aspects of the video--how it appeals to ethos, logos, or pathos.

 

 

Your response MUST adhere to all the Response guidelines listed on this page.

 

If the first sentence of your response does closely follow Rule #5 (see above), then I will assume that you are not closely following the rules, and I will not continue grading it.

 

*note*

Since this is a video, you'll have to substitute publisher name for author. Make sure to use the entire title of the video and place it in quotation marks. Also, don't forget to include the date.

 

Also, use various present tense verbs (ie: the video demonstrates, the video suggests, the video portrays).   I do not want to see the phrase "the video talks about."

 

Make sure that you offer specific examples and follow up with analysis of each example in order to support your criteria claim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Response 1: Frederick Douglass

 

 

excerpt from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave (pgs. 79-81)

 

After completing the reading assignment, respond to the following prompt:

 

Later in his narrative, Douglass writes, "I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing."

 

 

Questions for the response:

 

What does Douglass mean by this statement?

How is his view of reading shaped by the rhetorical situation in 1845?

Can you think of any modern-day situations or examples in which Douglass's view of reading is still valid, or is the ability to read and write (our access to knowledge and information) always a blessing?

 

Your response should be a carefully crafted paragraph or two (about 1 page) in which you relate your position and draw on specific examples from the text in order to support it. Make sure that you respond to all aspects of the prompt (3).

 

Note the title and write it properly: It is an excerpt from a book. 

Proofread your work.  This is a short writing assignment and errors should be MINIMAL if any.

 

 

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Response 2

 

“Review: Fitbit Charge HR” by Christina Bonnington

 

Your task in this response is to "evaluate" the rhetorical strengths of  Bonnington's evaluation argument (much like we did when we "evaluated" the sample RateMyProfessor reviews).

 

You'll want to begin your response with an evaluation thesis of Bonnington's article.  Use your own language here, but think along the following lines: is it a (rhetorically) strong review or a (rhetorically) weak review and why?    Note that I am NOT asking you to write a response that evaluates the product itself. Your purpose is to evaluate the quality of Bonnington's evaluation of the product.

 

The "Why?" should focus on (2 or maybe 3) specific rhetorical criteria that we would use to evaluate a product review (ie: ethos, pathos, logos, organization/structure). You'll want to support your evaluation argument about Bonnington's article by analyzing specific examples and showing how those examples illustrate the criteria you have identified.

 

For your thesis, start with the skeleton structure, and move forward from there. Use your thesis to organize the remainder of your response (like the worksheet we did on "Start Your Engines.")

 

Something is a good ( or bad, the best, the worst) because  of A, B, C, etc.  (standard practical, aesthetic, ethical criteria).

 

Adhere to all the response guidelines and tips above.

 

 

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Response 1 Redo

  "When Life Gives You Potstickers Instead of Wontons, Sharply Verbalize Your Bitterness Until It Fixes Itself"

 

by Sally Mao

WOW pages 96-102

 

Optional Assignment: Response 1 Redo (for students who did not complete Response 1 or who did poorly on Response 1). Don't waste my time or yours. If you choose to do this assignment, you MUST follow ALL instructions and response requirements. If I find myself writing the same comments that I wrote on your original response (or if I detect a lack of effort/sloppy mistakes), I will not continue grading it.

 

Reminders:

Read through your Response 1 (if you completed it). Note what you did wrong.

Carefully read through all the response guidelines on this page.

 

  

After reading "When Life Gives You Potstickers Instead of Wontons, Sharply Verbalize Your Bitterness Until It Fixes Itself"(2005) by Sally Mao, respond to the prompt below. Your response should be a solid paragraph or two (about a page) and MUST adhere to all the response guidelines outlined on this page (above).   You must present a clear position and draw on and analyze specific examples from the essay in order to support your claims (do NOT just summarize the essay).

Make sure to address all aspects of the prompt (3).

 

Prompt for Response 1 Redo:

Because Sally Mao’s “When Life Gives You Potstickers Instead of Wontons, Sharply Verbalize Your Bitterness Until It Fixes Itself” (2005) is a series of blog entries that each describes a different event/topic, it may be difficult to see how this piece functions as a cohesive narrative (or “exploration of an event” as the chapter calls it). Yet however abrupt and random each entry may be, Mao’s entries are connected to one another through content, theme, and style.

How do Mao’s entries build on one another—how are they strung together in interesting ways? 

What do you think is the purpose of this (seemingly unorganized) technique?

How does it strengthen the overall message/themes of Mao’s narrative? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Supplemental Response

 

In "The 'Trophy Kids' Go to Work," Ron Alsop defines millennials as "Trophy Kids."

 

1. In the first half of your response, describe the criteria that Alsop uses to present this definition.

 (Keep the definition thesis in mind as you do this. IE: Millennials are "Trophy Kids" because X, Y, Z, etc. Read over Essay II page to refresh your memory if need be.)

Make sure that you focus on presenting a clear outline of the definition criteria. Do not just simply summarize the entire essay.

     

In the second half of your response, respond to the following:

 

2. What artistic appeals does Alsop use to present his argument? Provide specific examples of pathos, ethos, and/or logos and evaluate the effectiveness of these appeals--whether or not the evidence is convincing. Think about the essay's Rhetorical strengths or weaknesses (or both).

Here, you may also want to discuss the end of the essay. Why does Alsop end his essay this way? How does this final evidence support or contradict the argument that he presents in the body of the essay?

 

Your response should be a SOLID PARAGRAPH (or 2), formally-written, and typed in MLA format (see response reminders above).

 

 

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