Response Requirements

A downloadable, printable pdf copy of this is available here: Response Requirements

The requirements of a response change over the course of the semester. They become more difficult as the semester progresses. You will need to fulfill these requirements or there will be grade penalties. Make sure you read all of a response's instructions.

Word Count
•    The easiest requirement is the word count. The minimum word count must be fulfilled. The minimum word count represents the fewest amount of words for a skilled writer to come to the point. The maximum word count is more of an average. An average writer can make his or her point by the maximum word count.
•    You are allowed to go beyond the maximum word count, but please try to keep it reasonable. I won't accept a response that goes to double the maximum word count. Part of response writing is to keep your answer succinct.
•    CAVEAT. Only fulfilling the minimum word count won't result in a good grade. It's the quality of the writing, not just how much. Make sure you're on topic instead of rambling to meet the word count.

Point of View (POV)
•    1st Person: You cannot write an effective argument in 1st person. You are only able to give your personal opinions and refer to personal experience by using this point of view. Remove all first-person pronouns, and rewrite the sentences from a more objective 3rd person.
•    2nd Person: Likewise, you cannot write an effective argument with 2nd person. 2nd person is used to directly address your reader, whom you really know nothing about and cannot make assumptions about. The reading becomes alienated, and will not longer listen to your argument.
•    For more information on point of view, refer to the blog post Essays and Point of View.

Quotations
•    You will need to use quotations to help support your point. Please make sure that you copy quotes according to the rules. Using quotations is not as simple as plucking a sentence from the story or article and plunking it into your response. See the handout on integrating quotations for more information.
•    Do not start off or end a quotation with an ellipsis (the ...). The ellipsis is used for something else entirely.

Integrate
•    You need to use integrated quotations. This is a more advanced form of using quotations in your response. It's about structuring your argument and the quotation so they work together in a seamless argument with included support. It's a difficult process, so please consult the handout on integrating quotations.
•    Part of integrating quotations is to use brackets [ and ] to replace certain words within the quotations so that they fit with your argument.

Citations
•    You will need to use MLA style in-text citations to indicate where you got the information from. Consult the handout packet or online information such as found at the OWL's MLA in-text citations page.

Mark Thesis
•    You must mark your thesis statement in bold type. The point behind this requirement is that you will carefully consider whether or not this is your thesis statement. Go over the thesis statement handout and review it.
•    CAVEAT. Putting a thesis in bold doesn't make it a thesis. Your thesis needs to be an argument. Make sure that is contains the necessary elements of an argument and is not an informational thesis or simply offering commentary (does it pass the "so what?" test?).