Assignment Type

• Individual, always
• A response to Assigned Readings listed in the LMS (eLearn)

Instructions

Download the following article and write a Reading Response to the paper. Refer to the Rubric to ensure that you have met the assignment requirements.

Banerjee, R., Reitz, J. G., & Oreopoulos, P. (2018). Do large employers treat racial minorities more fairly? an analysis of canadian field experiment data. Canadian Public Policy, 44(1), 1. 

What information should I include?

• Introduction – Provide context so your ideas and point of view are understood. Mention the name of the author and the title of the work you are responding to. Include a general statement about the topic, share the author’s thesis and mention key points, then state your thesis. (You can agree, disagree, build on, highlight, or question the author’s point of view.)
• Summary – Summarize the article. Explain the author’s purpose. Include any important points that support the author’s argument or purpose.
• Analysis – Discuss how the author presented their argument or main point. Comment on the validity of the author’s point of view. Identify and review the author’s purpose. Use quotations or cited information to provide support for these points. Remark on the author’s persuasive techniques.
• Response – argue, disagree, argue for, against, question, or offer new ideas. Explain whether you believe the author was persuasive with their argument. Persuade your reader why your point of view is correct. Use examples, quotations, and support to build and prove your argument. 
• Conclusion – Restate your thesis points. Remind readers of the points you have discussed. Avoid adding additional arguments. 

Tips

Tips for writing a reading response

• To develop your response – Read actively. Determine the author’s main point. Determine your position on the topic and look for elements that will support your response.
• Take notes while you read. Consider each paragraph and ask yourself what the main point is.
• Consider what the text says, how it says it, and what it means.
• Follow SQ3R, a strategy for reading. It stands for survey, question, read, recall, and review. 

Exemplar

Longwood University. (n.d.). Sample response papers. Retrieved from http://www.longwood.edu/staff/mcgeecw/sampleresponsepapers.htm

Key journal article

Smyth, K. (2010). The benefits of students learning about critical evaluation rather than being summatively judged. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 29(3), pp. 370-378.

Extra resource (video, article, book, LibGuide, PDF, etc.)

Humber College. (2015). How to write a critical response. Writing Centre. Retrieved from https://liberalarts.humber.ca/assets/files/new-pdfs/How%20to%20Write%20a%20Critical%20Response.pdf

Linn-Benton Community College. (n.d.). Response writing. Retrieved from http://cf.linnbenton.edu/artcom/english/hortonk/upload/Response%20Writing.pdf

Literacy Education Online. (1999). Writing a reaction or response essay. Retrieved from https://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/reaction.html

University of Leicester. (2009). What is critical reading?. Student Learning Development. Retrieved from https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/study-guides-pdfs/writing-skills-pdfs/critical-reading-v1%200.pdf

Advanced resources

Myers, C., & Jones, T.B. (1993). Promoting active learning: Strategies for the college classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2008). The miniature guide to critical thinking concepts and tools.Dillon Beach, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking Press.

Tomasek, T. (2009). Critical reading: Using reading prompts to promote active engagement with text. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 21(1), pp. 127-132.