Assignment
Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clPtbFT23Bs
Reader Responses are short (300 to 500 words) written assignments that respond to course readings. Specific topics and deadlines will be announced as the course progresses, but these are the general requirements for all Reader Responses.
Format - Double space. Use 12-pt Times New Roman font. Include a heading, header, and title as required for MLA style (covered in your text books). I have highlighted this because almost every new student believes he or she is doing MLA formatting correctly, and they are not. I have a video listed in Course Media on the class website that explains how to format according to MLA requirements. You will lose a full letter grade on your papers if you do not do this correctly.
To avoid plagiarism, cite any information taken from outside sources including from the text book. Use MLA-style citations.
Mechanics - Although these are not formal essays, they should be edited as carefully as your major essay assignments. After you draft and revise the content of the Response, after you work on the organization, spend some additional time editing and proofreading. Eliminate grammar errors, punctuation errors, and other surface issues that can make your writing confusing or less convincing to readers.
Organization - All Reader Responses should include well-organized paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting evidence. Specific assignments may give a number of paragraphs or other directions about organization.
Content - Specific content will be assigned for each Reader Response throughout the semester. Each assignment will require you to read carefully and think critically about what you have read.
Instructions:
Write your personal response to watching the video.
DO NOT: summarize the video
Suggested ways to approach the writing of a response to the video: Do you remember . . . . . . . . .
a teacher who taught you about thesis statements
a paper you wrote that had a good thesis statement
your personal problems about writing a thesis statement
how much you hate writing thesis statements
sneaky ways to develop a thesis statement
how you write topic sentences
A reader response is about what you think or feel. Do not write an objective response.