REACTION PAPER, REVIEW,
reads it and interprets it.
AND CRITIQUE
REACTION PAPERS, REVIEWS, OR CRITIQUES
 Are specialized forms of writing in
which a reviewer or reader evaluates
a scholarly work, a work of art,
designs, and graphic designs.
 It usually ranges in length from 250 to
750 words.
 Not simply summaries but are critical
assessments, analyses, or evaluation
of different works.
CRITICAL APPROACHES
1. Formalism
 Posits that the key to understanding a
text is through the text itself.
 The historical context, the author, or
any other external contexts are not
necessary in interpreting the
meaning.
2. Feminism
 Focuses on how literature presents
women as subjects of sociopolitical,
psychological, and economic
oppression.
3. Reader Response Criticism
 Is concerned with the reviewer’s
reaction as an audience of a work.
 This approach claims that the reader’s
role cannot be separated from the
understanding of the work; a text does
not have meaning until the reader
ideas
4. Marxism
 Is concerned with differences
between economic classes and
implications of a capitalist system,
such as continuing conflicts between
the working class and the elite.
Characteristics of an Effective Reaction,
Review, and Critique
1. Relevant information and description
of the subject
2. Clearly defined and appropriate
criteria for evaluation
3. A fair, balanced, and well-supported
assessment
Structure of a Reaction Paper, Review or
Critique
Introduction (around 5% of the paper)
 Title of the book/article/work
 Writer’s name
 Thesis name
Summary (around 10% of the paper)
 Purpose
 Methods used
 Major findings, claims, ideas, or
messages
Review/Critique (around 75% of the paper)
 Appropriateness of methodology to
support the arguments or
appropriateness of mode of
presentation
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 Theoretical soundness, coherence of
 Sufficiency and soundness of
explanation in relation to other
available information and experts
 Other perspectives in explaining the
concepts and ideas
Conclusion (around 10% of the paper)
 Overall impression of the work
 Scholarly or literary value of the
reviewed article, book or work
 Benefits for the intended audience
 Suggestion for future direction of
research
Reaction Paper with No Prescribed
Structure
1. Introduction
 The face of your paper and therefore
as a writer you must make sure that it
looks attractive and increases the
urgency of the reader to proceed to
your body paragraphs.
 Small description of the author and
the main problems and ideas on the
story.
 After the introduction, you should
write a thesis statement which should
be clear and brief.
2. Body
 The main section, where all the ideas
for your essay are explained.
 The topic sentence should reflect the
idea to be described in the section.
 Include appropriate sources to back
up your opinions.
 In the body, you can add theoretical
evidence to support your statement.
3. Conclusion
 Link your thesis statement with a
summary of the ideas in the body
paragraphs.
 A good way of encrypting your
conclusion is by touching on the major
points in summary then wrapping up
everything by clarifying your opinion.
4. List of Citations
 Include the citation for the sources
you have used within your paper.
 The sources used should be credible
and scholarly so that they can
persuade the reader.
How to Start a Reaction Paper
Context
 Introduce the reader to the topic
through a small background story on
this theme.
 The reader should be able to
understand it so that when you begin
giving your opinions, they are not left
hanging.
Need
 Stating the significance of your
opinion and how it impacts the lives of
others.
Thesis Statement
 The thesis constitutes a summary of 5. Appeal to Authority
the piece you are reacting to, the  Supporting an argument by citing a
major points of it and the personality but that personality is not
contradiction in opinions for different a credible source on the topic.
people. 6. Appeal to Ignorance
Details of the Book  Occurs when someone asserts a
 While writing about a book or a movie claim that must be accepted because
you must introduce it to the reader by no one else can prove otherwise.
giving the name of the author and 7. Appeal to Pity
what the book is about.  Occurs when someone seeks to gain
 State the main objective of the movie acceptance by pointing out an
or book that you are writing about in unfortunate consequence that befalls
the introduction. them.
8. Ad Populum
 Assuming something is true because
POSITION PAPER the majority believes so.
Identifying Logical Fallacies
Position Paper
 Fallacies are errors in reasoning
 A persuasive essay that presents the
which can weaken an argument.
writer’s stand or viewpoint on an
1. Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
issue.
 Posits that since Event A happened
before Event B, then Event A caused
Characteristics of an Effective Position
Event B.
Paper
2. Hasty Generalization
A well-framed issue
 Making a conclusion based on a small
 A good position paper introduces the
sample size, rather than looking at
issue in question early on.
statistics that are much more in line  Provide enough background
with the typical or average situation.
information.
3. Ad Hominem
A well-supported position
 Attacking the person instead of the
 Based on facts and rational thinking. It
argument.
is reached after careful process of
4. Slippery Slope
thinking through relevant information.
 Arguing that one thing will lead to
An effective counterargument
another even if there is no causal
relationship between them.
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  An effective position paper considers
and addresses arguments against it.
 Counterargue means to address a
possible argument against the
position you have taken or the
reasons you have used to support it.
 Addressing an argument against your
position requires the consideration of
other people’s views.
Parts of a Position Paper
Introduction
 Present the issue while grabbing the
attention of the readers
 Define the issue and discuss its
background
 Provide a general statement of your
position via your thesis statement
Body
 State your main arguments
 Provide enough evidence for each
argument such a statistical data,
interviews with experts, and
testimonies
 Provide counterarguments against
possible weaknesses of your
arguments
Conclusion
 Restate your position and main
arguments
 Suggest a course of action
 State what makes your position
superior and more acceptable
 End with a powerful closing statement
such as a quotation, a challenge, or a
question
Ethical appeal—relates to your credibility
and competence as a writer
Logical appeal—refers to a rational
approach in developing an argument
Emotional appeal—uses arguments in a way
that evokes feelings
PREPARING AND
INTERPRETING INSTRUMENTS
Research Instrument
 A tool used to gather data on a
specific topic of interest.
 Considered valid when it directly
answers or addresses your research
questions. It is reliable when it
provides you consistent data over a
period of time.
TYPES OF INSTRUMENTS
1. Survey
 It contains planned questions that are
used to measure attitudes,
perceptions, and opinions.
 Interview or questionnaires are forms
of survey.
 It contains responses directly related
to each specific research question.
TYPES OF SURVEY QUESTIONS:
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Recall
 Asks for specific information such as
years of service, age, and address.
Recognition
 Asks for a response to a specific
question where options are given.
Open-ended
 Elicits brief explanations or
impressions from the respondent.
FORMS OF SURVEY
Interview
 It is an instrument that allows the
research to qualitatively gather data.
DIFFERENT STAGES OF INTERVIEW
Pre-Interview Stage
 An interview guide is prepared, and
respondents are identified and
contacted.
Warm-up Stage
 Initial part of the interview in which
questions that will make the
respondents more at ease are being
asked.
Main Interview
 Main questions directly related to the
research questions are asked.
Closing Stage
 Questions are asked to wind down the
interview and respondents are
acknowledged and thanked.
Questionnaire
 A research instrument consisting of a
series of questions for the purpose of
 gathering information from
respondents.
 Compared with interview,
questionnaires are more quantifiable.
 Responses are usually dichotomous
and use identification type of test.
PARTS OF A QUESTIONNAIRE
Personal Information Section
 Includes the name (optional), age date
of birth, address, educational
background etc. it depends on what
personal information is relevant to the
study.
Basic Question Section
 To establish that the person you are
asking is the right person for the
study and establish rapport with
interviewees (applicable only with
interviews).
Main Questions Section
 Contains questions that are directly
related to your research. It is ideal to
have multiple questions for each
research question. Greater questions
= Greater conclusive results
Open-ended Questions
 Brief explanation or response to a
question.
2. Observation
 Allows the description of behavior in a
naturalistic or laboratory setting.
 Used to cross validate the results of
other instruments.
 Useful when the answers to questions
require description or when
respondents are unable to answer a
questionnaire or speak.
TYPES OF OBSERVATION:
Participant and Non-participant
Non-Participant
 Allows researchers to observe
without interacting with the
respondents.
Participant
 Allows researchers to interact with
respondents.
Structured and Unstructured
Structured
 Researchers has a list of behaviors
that he/she wants to observe.
Unstructured
 Allows behaviors to emerge.
Covert and Overt
Covert
 Subjects are not aware of being
observed.
Overt
 Aware of being observed.
3. Experiment
 A procedure undertaken scientifically
and systematically to make a
discovery and to test hypothesis.
 It may be performed in a laboratory or
in a natural setting.
STEPS IN EXPERIMENTATION
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 Make observations
 Develop hypothesis
 Design the experiment
 Conduct the experiment
 Analyze results
Visuals
 Qualitative research methodology that
relies on the use of artistic mediums
to "produce and represent knowledge.
 Visuals can be classified into six
groups: graphs, charts, tables,
diagrams, visual images, and maps.
TYPES OF VISUALS
1. Chart
 A graphical representation of data
using boxes, lines, and arrows.
TYPES OF CHARTS
Organizational Chart
 Presents rankings, classifications, and
levels of idea.
Flow Chart
 Illustrates a process of steps.
2. Tables
 Are used to compare between and
among data.
 It shows relationship that might be
invisible in prose.
3. Graph
 A graphical representation of data
using bars, lines, circles, or pictures.
TYPES OF GRAPHS
 Bar Graph
 Uses vertical or horizontal bars to
compare amounts and quantities.
Line Graph
 Shows trends and changes in data
and bottom grid scale usually
represents time.
Circle Graph
 Uses pie-shaped sections and shows
relationship of the parts to the whole
in percentages and proportions.
WRITING THE REPORT
Report
 A report is a statement of the results
of an investigation or of any matter on
which definite information is required.
(Oxford English Dictionary)
 A well-structured form of writing
often following a prescribed
convention to produce a common
format.
 In written reports, the process by
which the information was gathered is
emphasized by the structure and
convention as much as the
information itself.
STAGES IN WRITING A REPORT
1. Clarifying your Terms of Reference
 Defining the scope of your
investigation is necessary for you to
have a clear goal of your task.
 The terms of reference of a report will
serve as your guide to help you define
the scope of your investigation.
2. Planning your Work
 A thorough planning will help you to
write a clear, concise, and effective
report, giving adequate time to each of
the developmental stages prior to
submission.
 A checklist or an outline may help you
in setting the work within a sensible
time scale for completion by the given
deadline.
3. Collecting your Information
 When collecting information, there
may be other material that is needed
other than the results from a
laboratory experiment or descriptions
of your methods of data collection,
such as background information on
other research studies, or literature
surveys.
 Make a list of what information you
need and make an action plan stating
how you are going to gather this.
4. Organizing and Structuring your
Information
 One helpful way of organizing your
information into topics is through an
outline.
 Another way is by brainstorming your
ideas into a ‘spider diagram.
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5. Writing the First Draft
 There are a number of points that you
will need to consider when writing
your report:
Style of Writing
 The active voice allows you to write
short, direct sentences. The passive
appears more formal and is more
preferred in academic or formal
writing. Be aware of these differences
and avoid mixing the two voices.
 Most written reports should avoid
using hifalutin or overly complicated
language. Avoid using unnecessary
jargon. This confuses even the most
informed reader. Ensure that your
abbreviations are standardized. Be
cautious of confusing your reader.
 Most reports should avoid the use of
subjective language. Provide accurate
descriptions to your observations.
Layout
 Most reports have a progressive
numbering system. The most common
system is the decimal notation
system.
 The main sections are given single
arabic numbers - 1, 2, 3 and so on.
 Sub-sections are given a decimal
number - 1.1, 1.2,
1.3 and so on.
 Sub-sections can be further divided
into - 1.11, 1.12,
 1.13 and so on.
Presentation
 Leave wide margins for binding and
feedback comments from your tutor.
 Paragraphs should be short and
concise.
 Headings should be clear -
highlighted in bold or underlined.
 All diagrams and illustrations should
be labelled and numbered.
 All standard units, measurements and
technical terminology should be listed
in a glossary of terms at the back of
your report.
6. Checking and Re-drafting
 Assess your work in the following
areas: Structure, Content, and Style.
WRITING THE FEASIBILITY REPORT
1. Cover Page
 The cover page shall contain the basic
information of the paper such as the
name and seal of the institution, the
name of project/initiative to be
evaluated, the name(s) of the
member(s) working on the report, the
grade and section the members
belong to, the name of the teacher
requiring the paper, and the date of
submission.
2. Introduction
 The introduction provides the you have arrived at such idea. (2)
overview of the report. Dismiss obviously unsuitable project
 It shall contain the problem, the or initiative. Lengthy discussions of
proposed solution as presented by the clearly unsuitable projects or
concept paper, the criteria used by initiatives provide no benefit to your
evaluators to assess the readers.
project/initiative, and the preview of
the main conclusion and major 6. Conclusions and Recommendations
recommendations.  Your conclusions constitute your
overall assessment of the feasibility
3. Overview of the Project or Initiative of the project or initiative you studied.
 This section provides the abstract or Your recommendations answer the
an overview of the concept paper readers question “What do you think
being evaluated. should we do?”
4. Criteria or Method
 This section provides the criteria or
method that will be used in evaluating
the project or initiative.
 Selection of criteria for a particular
feasibility study will depend on the
problem at hand and on the
professional responsibilities, goals,
and values of the people who will use
your report.
5. Evaluation of the Project or Initiative
 This section serves as the heart of
your report.
 Two practical strategies that may help
you organize your evaluation: (1) Put
your most important points first.
Begin by presenting your main
idea/thesis statement/evaluation
before going into the details of how