ENGLISH 201
LESSON 7: REACTION PAPER, REVIEW
AND CRITIQUE
Reaction Paper, Reviews or Critiques specialized forms of writing in which a
reviewer or reader evaluates a
scholarly work, a work of arts, designs,
and graphic designs.
CRITICAL APPROACHES
1. Formalism
- the key to understanding a text is
through the text itself
- historical context, author, other
external contexts are not necessary in
interpreting the meaning
2. Feminism
- focuses on how literature presents
women as subjects of sociopolitical,
psychological, and economic
oppression
3. Reader Response Criticism
- concerned with the reviewer’s
reaction as an audience of a work
- this approach claims that a text does
not have meaning until the reader
reads and interprets it.
4. Marxism
- concerned with differences between
economic classes and implications of a
capitalist system
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE
REACTION PAPER
1. relevant information and description
of the subject
2. clearly defined and appropriate
criteria for evaluation
3. fair, balanced, and well-supported
assessment
REACTION PAPER W/ STRUCTURE
Introduction
- 5% of the paper
- title of the book/work, writer’s name,
thesis name
Summary
- 10% of the paper
- purpose, methods used, major
findings, ideas for future direction of
research
- appropriateness of methodology to
support the arguments or
appropriateness of mode of
presentation
- theoretical soundness, coherence of
ideas
- sufficiency and soundness of
explanation in relation to other
available information and experts
- other perspectives in explaining the
concepts and ideas
Conclusion
- 10% of the paper
- overall impression of the work
- literary value of the reviewed work
- benefits for intended audience
- suggestions for future direction of
research
REACTION PAPER W/ NO PRESCRIBED
STRUCTURE
Introduction
- give a small description of author,
main problems and ideas to increase
the urgency of readers to proceed to
your body paragraphs
Review/Critique
- 75% of the paper
ANNE CAITLIN C. REBURIANO | G12 ANDRE B
ENGLISH 201
Body
- main section; all ideas for your essay
are explained
- can state the significance of your
opinion and the impact on the lives of
others
Conclusion
- link your thesis statement with a
summary of the ideas in the body
paragraphs
Thesis statement
- include a thesis statement at the
beginning of your writing.
- thesis contains a summary of the
piece you are reacting to - the major
points & contradiction in opinions for
different people.
List of Citations
- include citations for the credible and
scholarly sources used in your paper
HOW TO START A REACTION PAPER
The context
- introduce the reader to the topic first
through a small background story on
this theme.
- readers should be able to understand
it so they won’t be left hanging when
you proceed to giving your opinions.
The need
- a task of creating suspense to the
readers to attract them to your work
so they can see the need for your
opinion on the book/movie you are
writing about.
Details of the book
- introduce to the reader the
book/movie you are writing about by
giving the name of the author and
what the book is about
- state the main objective of the
movie/book
LESSON 8: POSITION PAPER
Fallacy - an error in reasoning which
can weaken an argument
LOGICAL FALLACIES
Post hoc ergo propter hoc
- after this, therefore because of this
- since event A happened before B,
then event A caused event B
Hasty Generalization
- making a conclusion based on a small
sample size, rather than looking at
statistics that are much more in line
with the typical or average situation
Ad Hominem
- attacking the person instead of the
argument
Slippery Slope
- arguing that one thing will lead to
another even if there is no causal
relationship between them.
Appeal to Authority
- supporting an argument by citing a
personality but that personality is not a
credible source on the topic
Appeal to Ignorance
- occurs when someone asserts a claim
that must be accepted because no one
else can prove otherwise.
Appeal to Pity
- occurs when someone seeks to gain
acceptance by pointing out an
unfortunate consequence that befalls
them
ANNE CAITLIN C. REBURIANO | G12 ANDRE B
ENGLISH 201
Ad Populum
- assuming something is true because
the majority believes so
- provide enough evidence for each
argument
- provide counterarguments
Position Paper - a persuasive essay
that presents the writer’s stand
Conclusion
- restate position and main arguments
- suggest a course of action
- state what makes your position
superior and more acceptable
- end with a powerful statement
CHARACTERISTICS OF A POSITION
PAPER
1. a well framed issue
- introduces the issue in question early
on
2. a well-supported position
- based on facts and rational thinking
3. an effective counterargument
- considers and addresses arguments
against it
PARTS OF A POSITION PAPER
Introduction
- present the issue while grabbing the
attention of the readers
- define the issue and background of
study
- general statement of your position
via your thesis statement
Body
- state the main arguments
13. check arguments for fallacies and
eliminate them
14. use ethical, logical, and emotional
appeal
LESSON 9: RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS
RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS
- tools used to gather data on specific
topic of interest
GUIDELINES IN WRITING
GUIDELINES
1. choose an issue
2. begin with the writing process
3. make sure to define unfamiliar
terms
4. be aware of the various positions
and explain, analyze them objectively
5. reflect and identify its weaknesses
6. cite valid and reliable resources
7. view the issue in a different
perspective
8. limit position paper to 2 pages
9. analyze your target readers and
align your arguments to their belief
10. summarize the other side’s
arguments and use various evidence to
refute them
11. use active voice
12. arrange evidence logically
1. do a preliminary research
2. talk to experts in the field
3. master the guidelines in preparing
and administering each type of
instrument
4. clarify research questions
5. based on the data needed, decide
on the number of respondents
6. prepare using appropriate format of
the instrument
7. edit instrument
8. pilot instrument to improve its
quality
ANNE CAITLIN C. REBURIANO | G12 ANDRE B
ENGLISH 201
TYPES OF RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS
OBSERVATION
- allows the description of behavior in a
naturalistic or laboratory setting
- used to cross validate the results of
other instruments
- useful when the answers to the
questions require description or when
respondents are unable to answer a
questionnaire or speak
Types Of Observation:
1. participant and non-participant
participant - researchers can interact
w/ respondents
non-participants - observe w/o
interacting with the respondents
2. structured and unstructured
structured - researchers have a list
they want to observe
unstructured - allows behaviors to
emerge
3. covert and overt
covert - subjects are not aware of
being observed
overt - aware of being observed
SURVEY
- planned questions that are used to
measure attitudes, perceptions, and
opinions
- interview/survey questionnaire
- responses directly related to each
specific research question
Types Of Survey Questions:
recall - asks for specific information:
years of service, age address
recognition - asks for a response to a
specific question where options are
given
open-ended - elicits brief explanation
Forms of Survey:
1. Interview
- instrument that allows the research
to qualitatively gather data
Stages of Interview:
Pre-interview
Warm-up
Main Interview
Closing stage
2. Questionnaire
- research instrument consisting of a
series of questions for the purpose of
gathering information from
respondents
- more quantifiable than interviews
Parts of a Questionnaire:
Personal Information Section
- includes the name (optional), age,
date, date of birth, etc. it depends on
what personal info is relevant to the
study
Basic Question Section
- to establish that the person you are
asking is the right person for the study
Main Questions Section
- contains questions that are directly
related to your research
Open-ended Questions
- brief explanation/response to a
question
EXPERIMENT
- a procedure undertaken scientifically
and systematically make a discovery
and to test a hypothesis.
- it may be performed in laboratory or
in a natural setting
ANNE CAITLIN C. REBURIANO | G12 ANDRE B
ENGLISH 201
Steps:
1. make observations
2. develop a hypothesis
3. design the experiment
4. conduct the experiment
5. analyze results
6. accept/reject hypothesis
LESSON 10: VISUALS
GENERAL STEPS TO INTERPRETING
VISUALS
1. read the title and subtitle
2. read the captions, keys, and labels
3. determine the purpose of the
material
4. identify the organization of
information
5. analyze the relationship of details
such as changes and trends
6. if necessary, make a conclusion
about the data
GENERAL GUIDELINES TO ADDING
VISUALS TO YOUR TEXT
1. determine the purpose of the visual
2. evaluate the accuracy and validity of
the data
3. visuals should be accompanied by
clear references within your text
4. visuals should be placed on the
same page as the text reference
5. preferably, position the visual
vertically
6. make your visual as simple and selfexplanatory as possible by adding data
labels
7. if the visuals are colored, go for
basic contrasting colors which are easy
in the eyes
TYPES OF VISUALS
Charts
- graphical representation of data using
symbols: rank, levels, procedures, and
classification
Two Common Charts:
Organizational Charts
- presents rankings, classifications, and
levels of idea
Strategies In Preparing:
- use varied shapes carefully
- connect boxes with solid lines to
show direct reporting relationships and
dotted lines to show indirect or staff
relationship
Flow Charts
- illustrates a process of steps
Strategies In Preparing:
- present only the capsule version of
the whole process.
- limit the number of shapes to avoid
confusion. note that each shape has a
corresponding meaning.
rectangle - event that is part of the
process; for steps or actions taken
diamond - shows a decision point in
the process (yes or no)
rounded box - usually used to denote
the start and end of the process
Strategies In Reading Charts (both
organizational and flow):
1. pay attention to the arrows/lines
2. summarize each step or component
into your own words
3. compare your mental chart to the
description to check how accurate you
are
Tables
- useful in displaying numbers in
columns
- condenses and classifies information
- helps readers grasp relationships
ANNE CAITLIN C. REBURIANO | G12 ANDRE B
ENGLISH 201
Strategies In Reading Tables:
1. read the title of the table
2. check whether the information is
updated or obsolete
3. check the source of the information
4. study the headings and their
relationships
5. read the details with the headings in
mind
6. compare and contrast the different
columns
Strategies In Preparing Tables:
1. informal or simple tables need not
have table numbers and titles
2. formal tables should contain titles,
table numbers, and detailed headings
3. use plenty of white space and text
within and around the text
4. use concise and clear headings
5. assign a title to each formal table
6. use abbreviations and symbols when
necessary
7. write the source of the table when
necessary
8. use uppercase and lowercase
instead of full caps
Graphs
- graphical representation of data using
bars, lines, circles and pictures
Bar Graphs
- uses vertical and horizontal bars that
compare amounts and quantities.
Strategies in Reading:
1. read the title, caption, and source
note.
2. determine the graph’s purpose
3. look at the dates mentioned
4. identify what is being compared
5. determine time span and amount of
change
6. look carefully at the names of
products and services
Strategies in Preparing:
1. limit number of bars
2. show comparisons clearly
3. keep bar widths consistent
4. if comparisons are too close, space
between bars may be deleted
5. arrange bars based on sequence
6. use legends
Line Graphs
- shows trends and changes in data
- bottom grid scale represents time
2. determine the graph’s purpose
3. read the horizontal axis
4. determine kind of time intervals
5. read vertical axis, identify what is
measured
6. trace jagged line, determine
changes,
Strategies in Preparing:
1. plot
2. use different line colors
3. make chart lines bigger than axis
lines
4. do not put numbers on the line
graph
Pie Graphs
- shows the relationship of the parts to
the whole in percentage and
proportions
Strategies in Reading:
1. read title and captions carefully
2. note number and labels
3. check if there is any legend and
study it
4. identify shares, quantity and
percentage of each section
Strategies in Reading:
1. read the title, caption, and source
note
ANNE CAITLIN C. REBURIANO | G12 ANDRE B
ENGLISH 201
Strategies in Preparing:
1. use no more than 7 divisions
2. move clockwise from 12:00
3. use pie graph for percentages and
money
4. keep it simple
5. label each component
6. use “pie within a pie” technique to
show subdivision of particular wedge
LESSON 11: WRITING THE REPORT
REPORT
- a statement of the results of an
investigation or of any matter on which
definite information is required
STAGES IN WRITING A REPORT
1. Clarify your terms of reference
2. Plan your work
3. Collect your information
4. Organize and structure your
information
5. Write the first draft
6. Check and re-draft
FEASIBILITY REPORT
- tells whether a project is “feasible” that is, whether it is practical and
technologically possible
REPORT CONTENTS
cover page
- includes basic information, seal of
institution, research title, reporters’
names, grade and section, instructor’s
name, and date of submission of
report
introduction
- presents the overview of the report,
contains the problem, proposed
solution, criteria for evaluation (as
used by the report writers), preview of
the main conclusion and
recommendations
- can get on the internet, but will need
to cite sources
evaluation of the project
- evaluation about the concept paper,
strengths and weaknesses of the
project, and if the project should be
continued or not
conclusion and recommendation
- conclusion of the initiative
- answers if the project is feasible or
not, and why
- recommendation in order to make
the project feasible
overview of the project or initiative
- report on what you are evaluating
about
criteria
- criteria you are using to evaluate the
concept paper
- as evaluators, create your own
criteria to evaluate the concept paper
ANNE CAITLIN C. REBURIANO | G12 ANDRE B