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How to Start a Reaction Paper

How to Start a Reaction Paper

Knowing how to start a reaction paper when assigned one to write can sometimes be challenging. However, you no longer have to be worried because in this section, we will give you best guidelines for success.

In order to know how to begin writing a good reaction paper, it is important that you start by understanding the definition of a reaction paper. This will make it much easier to know the writing process since you will already have some knowledge on it.

What is a reaction paper?

A reaction paper is an academic paper, say an essay, which requires the writer to conduct an analysis on a text then come up with a commentary based on it. Writing one is an academic assignment that students are often given. In for you to be successful in crafting a reaction paper, you have to be thoughtful in reading texts, researching and putting the facts down in writing.

There are various important things on how to start a reaction paper that you still need to take note of. Better reaction paper writing skills can help you in so many ways apart from just passing an exam. Since you will be required to read and understand a text before writing, there is no doubt that learning how to start a reaction paper will significantly enhance your analytical skills. This will not only improve your academic performance but also assist you in your future career.

Writing a reaction paper requires you to always give enough reasons to support your argument about a text or subject. This implies that you can greatly improve your communication skills in discussions at school and even social circles.

Tips on how to start a reaction paper

Based on the instructions of the essay or research paper that you have been assigned to work on, it is always required that you create a paper with a catchy introduction. Therefore, knowing how to start a reaction paper entails the ability of a writer to craft a unique and outstanding introduction.

The following are other tips to guide you in starting a reaction paper

  • Carefully read the given text

Since you will always be given reference to the particular text that is subject to discussion in the paper, it is always recommended that you carefully study it. This is the only way through which you will be able to come with different perspectives on how to craft a good start to a reaction paper.

In case you may not be able to understand the text well, it is advisable that you do some research to get a comprehensive view of the issue in the text. While doing this, try to always stay relevant to the topic of the paper.

  • Derive arguments about the text from different angles

Writing a good reaction paper requires more than just criticizing the weaknesses or praising the strengths of the given text. It is always recommended that you get enough information to justify your reaction to the text. This means that even if a particular reaction seems right for the paper but lacks sufficient backing, it would be advisable that you drop it and instead, pick one that you are able to fully justify.

Forming different reactions to the text will enable you to settle on a suitable one for the paper.

  • Try to determine the link between the various given texts

There are instances when you will be given more than one text to react to. In such an event, you are expected to draw the links between the given texts. Dig deeper to find the relationships between the provided materials.

  • Exercise good research skills

The text that you are given to react to in the assignment may not usually offer you enough information to support your stand. Therefore, you are required to be good at researching. Based on the particular angle that you have chosen to pursue in writing the paper, it is always advisable that you do more research to acquire more information that would enable you to argue out your reaction well.

For academic writing, it is recommended that you support your arguments with academic theories or statistical data.

Writing a reaction paper may not only involve texts but also films, audio files and even statistics.

Steps on how to start a reaction paper

The start of your reaction paper should be catchy, related to the subject of the given text and well structured to convince the reader to proceed. However, do not rush into writing the paper just yet. Take a look at some of the few steps on how to start a reaction paper that we have outlined below.

  • Draft an outline

After reading the given text, understanding and analyzing it, you need to first create a rough plan on how to present the facts respectively. This will help you to create proper order and know how to argue out your points as expected.

  • Start writing

The best way to craft an opening statement to your reaction paper is giving a brief summary of the text or material that you have been given to respond to. In order to tackle it quite well, you should devote at least three sentences to this summary.

At the start of your reaction paper, it is also ideal that you include the author and title of the work that you have been given to respond to. Besides, you should also make your thesis statement very clear at this point so that the readers are well informed on what to expect.

In case you use some information from another source or article at the start of the paper, ensure that it is well referenced as required.

However, always ensure that the start or introduction of your reaction paper is not too long. This part should only give the readers a preview of what is contained or discussed in the rest of the paper.

Reaction paper examples

Examples to guide you on how to start a reaction paper

The following are some of the examples of reaction paper introductions as written by our experts.

In this paper, the author starts by giving a summary of the given text, whereby it states, ‘’In Man’s Search for Meaning, the author gives an incredible story about his personal experience in prison during the Holocaust.’’

In the second paragraph of the introduction, the writer reveals the identity of the author of the given material. It reads, ‘’the author Victor E Frankl, begins the story by giving the reason why he is writing his life’s experience.’’

Judging by the other parts of the introduction to this paper, the author has been able to clearly show that he has carefully read the text, analyzed and understood what it is all about. In this case, the writer is very confident that the material is about the personal experience of Victor E. Frankl’s imprisonment during the Holocaust.

Just like stated in the guidelines that we have given above, the author of this paper has started by giving telling the reader about the particular material that forms the subject of the paper.

In this case, the text is in the form of a book which the writer is required to review. The paper begins with the sentence, ‘’The book, ‘’A Random Walk Down Wall Street is a guidebook for investors, written by Burton G. Malkiel and published in 1973.’’

Unlike in other texts, the writer of this paper is neither criticizing nor praising the subject matter of the material but giving the readers a general review of what the book is all about as portrayed by the author.

  • Physical Management article review on, ‘’Getting Fit without Pain’’ By Kevin Hellicker is also a good illustration of how a reaction paper should be started.

In this article review, the author has given a straightforward opening statement that gives that reader a clue on what the text is about. The paper starts with the sentence, ‘’This article is primarily concerned with the role played by physical therapists in physical management.’’

The introduction has further been able to give additional information on the text so that as the writer goes on, readers have a better knowledge of what is discussed in the reaction paper.

In this paper, you will also see that the writer has given reference to a quote used in the introduction.

If you have difficulties in a research paper of your choice, get in touch with us for assistance. Visit our homepage for more information about our academic writing services. You can also continue reading more academic paper writing guidelines and sample papers on this blog.

References

http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Reaction-Paper

http://www.globalcompose.com/blog/

http://www.essaysexperts.net/blog/

http://www.bestessayservices.com/sample-papers.php

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