REACTION PAPER

A reaction paper is one of the assignments you can get in college. It may seem easy at first glance, similar to a
diary entry requiring your reaction to an article, a literature piece, or a movie. However, writing a high-quality
paper often turns into a challenge.

A reaction paper (or response paper) is an academic assignment urging students to explain what they
feel about something. When crafting a good reaction piece, the student should aim to clarify what they think,
agree or disagree with, and how they would identify with the object regarding their life experiences. The object
of your response may be a painting, a book, an academic publication, or a documentary.
This task is not a simple summary of the text or film you’re assigned to. Neither is it a research paper; you
don’t need to use external sources in a reaction paper. Thus, the writing process may seem confusing to
newbies.

Reaction Paper Template

Every critical reaction paper follows the standard essay outline, with the introduction, the main body, and the
conclusion as to its main parts. Here is a more detailed breakdown of each component:
Introduction. You present the subject and set the context for the readers.
Body. This part is a detailed analysis of your response to the subject. You should list the main points and
analyze them, relating to your feelings and experiences.
Wrap-up. Here you recap all major points and restate your opinion about the subject, giving it a conclusive
evaluation.

Reaction Paper: APA Format

Depending on your teacher’s preferences and the academic subject, you may be given a reaction paper
assignment in various referencing styles. The APA format is one of the possible variants. So, please don’t get
confused about the writing approach; it only means that you should format your reaction paper according
to APA conventions. These are:
A standard APA title page
One-inch margins on all sides
Double spacing between the lines
An author-date format of referencing external sources (if you use any supporting evidence)
The rest of the requirements are identical for reaction papers in all referencing formats, allowing you to choose.

How to Write a Good Reaction Paper Step-by-Step

Now, it’s time to clarify how to begin a reaction paper, what steps to take before writing, and how you will
compose the entire assignment. Use our universal step-by-step guide fitting any reaction paper topic.
Study the prompt inside out. You should understand the prompt to craft a relevant paper that your professor
will grade highly.
Clarify all instructions. A grave mistake that students often make is assuming they have understood
everything in one go. Still, asking questions never killed anybody. So, we recommend inquiring your tutor about
everything to be 100% sure you’re on the right path.
Study the subject of your paper. Watch a movie, look at the painting, or read the text – do everything you
can to get to the depths of the author’s message and intention.
Make notes. Your reactions matter, as they will become the main content of your written text. So, annotate all
feelings and ideas you have when studying the subject. You’ll be able to use them as writing prompts later.
Make a reaction essay outline. The outline is the backbone of your content, which will serve as your
compass during the actual writing process.
Compose the draft. Use the outline as a structure and add details, evidence, and facts to support your claims.
Then add an introduction and a conclusion to the final draft.
Edit and revise. To err is human; to edit is divine. Follow this golden rule to submit a polished, revised paper
without errors and typos.