Writing the Reaction Paper
What is a Reaction Paper?
Paper is a form of paper writing in which the writer expresses his ideas and opinions about what
has been read or seen. Reaction paper is evaluated due to the writer's communication skills and only
then due the unique ideas and the content. This paper writing may be informal, two pages long. As all
essays, a reaction paper comprises introduction, body, and conclusion. In introduction the writers states
the main premise, in a body he expresses his ideas and in conclusion summarizes the results. The reaction
paper is not a summary of the article although information should be included.
Despite the fact that you are writing about your reactions, thoughts and impressions, you still need
to follow an appropriate structure. So make sure to:
• Read the material carefully
Whether it is a book, article, or a film, make sure to read or watch it very carefully. Sometimes, you will
need to repeat this procedure for a couple of times.
• Mark interesting places while reading/watching
This will help you focus on the aspects that impressed you the most and come back to them after you
are done with reading or watching.
• Write down your thought while reading/watching
Doing so, you won’t forget any important ideas that came to your head.
• Come up with a thesis statement
Use your notes to formulate a central idea you will develop in your further work. Then put it in one sentence
and make it your thesis statement.
• Compose an outline
Every time you write an academic paper, you need to make an outline. Try at least once and you will see
how helpful an outline could be!
• Construct your paper
Only when all the preparations are done, start writing a paper itself.
Writing the Paper
The first part of your paper should contain information on the author and the topic. You need to
write down the main ideas and highlight the main points of the paper. You can use direct quotations
if needed. Avoid your personal opinion in this section. The second part should contain your personal
thoughts on the subject. Focus on a main problem or address all of them and describe your opinion.
Explain how the material can relate to the modern world, to the society or separate individuals. Back-up
your statements with sources if needed and make conclusions whether you support the author or not.
Writing a reaction paper can be quite a challenging task, so many students use examples to learn more
about its structure and key features. Here are a few recommendations, which will help you complete
an outstanding reaction paper:
• Read the original article carefully and highlight the main ideas and points you want to discuss;
• Describe your point of view and back it with additional information if needed. Use vivid examples;
• Use various sources to make your statement more argumentative.
Other Tips:
There are also a few tips, which will help you to avoid common mistakes.
• First, don’t give a summary of an article. You should perform your personal opinion, not an
overview.
• You should always back your ideas with examples.
• Avoid using examples, which are difficult to relate to the topic.
With the help of these simple rules, you will learn how to write a reaction paper and will be able to
create an outstanding work!
