Professor McNeil
English 202 "Intro
to English Studies"
Fall 2005 |
Due: beginning of class
|
Summary Response Assignment
The Summary Response paper differs from the Reading
Response paper. Not an "essay," this paper is more a "report." where you
summarize the ideas of another writer. (Please select from the list of
assigned "secondary readings" throughout the course.) As a "report," your
paper does not need to have a thesis. Instead it should address the following:
-
What is the main point of the essay? What is
the writer's basic point? Can you describe in a few sentences what
the chief purpose of the essay is?
-
Can you paraphrase the key points that support
the basic argument? Perhaps summarize the general outline of the
essay?
-
Are you persuaded by the argument of the writer?
Do you think the writer's points are persuasive and clear? Do you
feel there are any problems or shortcomings in the writer's argument?
Some suggestions:
Because this assignment is not an "essay," you
may wish to begin not with your own thesis but with that of the author
you are writing about. Think of the paper as a "presentation" of
the author's work, so organization and smooth transitions in your own writing
are still important.
Since these essays are not always written for
a general audience they often presume the reader is familiar with sophisticated
literary terms and concepts. In other words, you may encounter a lot of
"jargon" in these essays. I've tried to choose essays that are useful
and relevant to the topics of the class but that are also accessible
and understandable. Still, don't be afraid to look up a word you
may not be familiar with, or consult with me or others about difficualt
concepts and phrases.
The Summary Response paper should be
at least 1 typed, double-spaced page (about 350 words).