Writing is hard, simply because one hopes to write using the best

possible words to articulate the best possible thoughts in the most

creative way imaginable.
 "The Reaction Paper: A Measured Response to the World“
Marikit Tara Alto Uychoco

1. The world can be a chaotic place. Often, there seems to be no rhyme

or reason in the events that happen to us. Oftentimes, people despair,
and the modern alienation articulated by Henry Thoreau may be true
for many----"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."
2. In order to make sense of the world, people write. In order to create
a semblance of order and understanding of one's experiences people
write. Often enough, they write a measured response to what has
happened to them. This takes on various forms, but for the purpose of
this textbook, the forms we will explore are the review and the reaction
paper.
3. Of course, some may consider a diary entry to be a reaction paper to
the world. However, diary entries are personal in their significance,
while the reaction paper's significance is societal. The reaction paper is
written for the enlightenment pf one's fellow human beings; a diary
entry is written for the enlightenment of the self. Both have their
significance, however, only the reaction paper is considered
significantly valuable for the academe.
4. There is also a difference in form: the reaction paper is more formal,
more descriptive, and often uses the rhetorical devices of description
and narration in order to prove a point; while the diary entry is less
formal, less descriptive, and does not endeavor to persuade or to make
another person understand; hence, there is no real effort in using
rhetorical devices. Oftentimes, the diary entry is a way to rage against
petty insults and grievances.
5. When one reads a reaction paper, one expects to be informed and
amused. Reaction papers help us in our everyday decisions: from what
movie we should watch, to the clothing that we should wear, and the
causes that we should believe in. It tells us that we are not alone in
experiencing the world, and that there are others before us who care
to tell us what to watch out for, and how to best experience what we
are about to go through.
6. Modern interactions of the reaction paper are the movie, review,
gadget review, trip advisor post, and other travel reviews, restaurant
reviews , and essays that discuss a social phenomenon or a common
experience. Many editorials can be considered reaction papers, if not,
position papers. Many of them are written in newspapers, magazines,
and weblogs.
7. Although the modern world can be a lonely and alienating place, the
reaction paper can reach put and tell us that we are not alone. It helps
to know that the other person is going through the same experience as
well, and that this person has something to tell you about how to
survive, what to avoid, and where to seek pleasure. A reaction paper,
when done right, can help us process our own experience, and help us
see things that we weren't able to see on our own.
8. In today's multimedia world, this stretches across countries and over
territorial borders, where a housewife from Manila can tell a tourist
from Tokyo how to best survive Manila's hot summer. We reach out to
one another, in order to make the world a better place, by mapping the
world for others, and letting them know where beauty and darkness
reside.
GUIDE TO WRITING A
REACTION PAPER

source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_obGyQkzXcI
Skills
Content and Analysis: the extent
to which the response conveys
complex ideas and
information clearly and
accurately in order to
respond to the task and
support an analysis of the text
Organization
Command of Evidence
Reflections
Mechanics and Conventions
Language use
5 4
-insightful
and/or sophisticated
ideas that fully address the prompt and are
fully supported by relevant, accurate and
specific evidence from appropriate
sources.
Evidence used is justified and clearly
developed.
The paper follows a clear and logical
train of thought.
The introduction and
conclusion are effective
and the writer always
uses topic sentences and effective
transitions
Quotations are smoothly blended in.
Evidence is highly persuasive and effective. quotations, Evidence is believable Superficial. Quotes are used,
Conscious and thorough understanding of
the
writing prompt and the subject matter.
Creative/original ideas and insights;
extensive, insightful commentary.
Demonstrates a mastery of writing
conventions
includes a variety of sentences marked by
varying opening words and structure;
effective syntax and grammar.
clear ideas that fully
address the prompt and are
supported by relevant, accurate
and sufficient evidence.
Evidence used is justified and
developed
The paper follows a logical train of
thought.
The paper’s introduction and
conclusion
are functional
and the writer always
uses topic sentences but less
effective transitions.
Effectively utilizes
and convincing.
Thoughtful understanding of the
writing prompt. Analysis is
believable
and convincing, a few
assertions may lack
specific examples, but
are still logical.
Demonstrates control of the
conventions
that do not hinder comprehension,
includes some variety in
transitions and sentence structure.
3 2 1
Some ideas are clearer than The paper contains an attempt to Ideas are not developed.
others and address the address the Little to no textual
prompt. Ideas are supported prompt, but the writer provides evidence is used.
by some relevant little Mostly personal responses.
evidence. clear, relevant evidence.
The paper follows a somewhat The paper does not The paper does not
confused train of thought. follow a train of thought. The follow a train of thought.
The paper has paper is missing The paper is missing
an introduction and conclusion an introduction or an introduction and
and the writer uses some conclusion and the writer uses conclusion and the writer
topic sentences and adequate few fails to use topic sentences
transitions. topic sentences and/or and/or transitions.
transitions.
Evidence is present, but Evidence chosen does not support Little or no evidence is
ideas/claims. Quotes are used.
but not well blended. irrelevant.
Basic understanding of the Ideas lack Does not address the
writing prompt and the subject development; prompt or gives a basic plot
matter. No in-depth reflection. misunderstanding of summary without
prompt or text; little to no commentary
reflection on the text.
Demonstrates control of the Demonstrates emerging control of Demonstrate a lack of
conventions conventions with some errors control of
with infrequent errors, that hinder comprehension, lacks conventions with frequent
includes minimal variety in variety in sentence structure and errors that make
sentence structure and transitions. comprehension difficult.
transitions.