Description
Instructions
For this essay, you will do three things: summarize the material, make connections between the article and our course, and detail your reaction to it.
- Each paragraph will be 5-10 sentences in length.
- Use FRIEDs to support all claims.
- Provide in-text citations as needed and a full citation after the essay.
- Use Microsoft word, 12 point Times New Roman font, and double-space.
Paragraph One: Summarize the Article
In the first paragraph, write an informative summary of the material. Be sure to include an in-text, APA citation. Reduce the content of the article to a single paragraph by highlighting its main points and key supporting points.
- Summarize the material so that the reader gets a general sense of all key aspects of the original work. Do not discuss in great detail any single aspect of the work; instead, summarize all the equally important points.
- Keep the summary objective and factual. Do not include your personal reaction to the work (this will come later). Do not use the first-person “I” in the summary paragraph.
- You may wish to include one or two short, direct quotes from the article to illustrate important ideas, however, remember you must include in-text citations and put the article’s point(s) into your OWN words. Do not rely on quotes to do this.
- If someone read your summary instead of the article, would they still fully understand the article’s purpose and relevance?
Paragraph Two: Connection to Course Concepts and Conclusion
In your second paragraph, you will make a clear connection to at least one class concept, idea, or topic of discussion.
- Identify the concept and explain it.
- Discuss how the concept relates to the article. You are expected to use at least some of the vocabulary and main ideas you have learned from class.
Paragraph Three: Reaction to the Article
In the second paragraph, you will write your personal/culture reactions to the article. Now is the time to write first-person “I” sentences as you react to the article.
- How is the material related to your life, experiences, feelings and ideas? How is the article relevant to your understanding of American culture and your home culture?
- Would you recommend the article to others who might want to learn more about American culture, and why?
Summary & Reaction Essay Rubric
Category | Strong
(100%) |
Satisfactory
(75%) |
Needs Improvement (50%) |
Summary | Key points of the article explained, supporting points from author are provided for the key points, summary is objective/factual | Most key points of the article explained, supporting points from author are provided for most key points, summary is mostly objective/factual | Two criteria not met: Most key points of the article explained, supporting points from author are provided for most key points, summary is mostly objective/factual |
Course Connection | Paragraph connects to a course concept, idea, or topic; term is defined; course vocabulary is used to discuss connection | Paragraph connection to a course concept, idea, or topic is weak; or term is not defined; or course vocabulary is not used to discuss connection | Two criteria not met: Paragraph connect to a course concept, idea, or topic is weak; or term is not defined; or course vocabulary is not used to discuss connection |
Reaction | Article is connected to life, experiences, feelings and/or ideas; writing connects article to understanding of American and home cultures, recommendation discussed | Article is weakly connected to life, experiences, feelings and/or ideas; or writing weakly connects article to understanding of American and home cultures, or recommendation not discussed | Two criteria not met: Article is weakly connected to life, experiences, feelings and/or ideas; or writing weakly connects article to understanding of American and home cultures, or recommendation not discussed |
Format | 3 complete paragraphs, Citations accurate, FRIEDs support all claims | 3 complete paragraphs, Citations mostly accurate, FRIEDs support most claims | Two criteria not met: Fewer than 3 complete paragraphs, Citations missing or mostly inaccurate, FRIEDs don’t support most claims |
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