Reaction paper is a form of paper writing in which the writer expresses his ideas and opinions
about what has been read or seen. Reaction paper is evaluated due to the writer’s
communication skills and only then due to the unique ideas and the content. This paper writing
may be informal, two pages long. As with all essays, a reaction paper comprises an introduction,
body, and conclusion. In the introduction, the writer states the main premise/topic, in the body
he expresses his idea and, in the conclusion, summarizes the results. The reaction paper is not
a summary of the article although information should be included.
Despite the fact that you are writing about your reactions, thoughts, and impressions, you still
need to follow an appropriate structure, so make sure to:
1. Read the material carefully
2. Mark interesting places while reading/watching
3. Write down your thoughts while reading/watching
4. Come up with a thesis statement
5. Compose an outline
6. Construct your paper
The first part of your paper should contain information on the author and the topic. You need to
write down the main ideas and highlight the main points of the paper. You can use direct
quotations if needed. Avoid your personal opinion in this section. The second part should
contain your personal thoughts on the subject. Focus on a main problem or address all of them
and describe your opinion. Explain how the material can relate to the modern world, to society
or to separate individuals. Back your statements with sources if needed and make conclusions
about whether you support the author or not.
Writing a reaction paper can be quite a challenging task, so many students use examples to
learn more about its structure and key features. Here are a few recommendations, which will
help you complete an outstanding reaction paper:
1. Read the original article carefully and highlight the main ideas and points you want to
discuss;
2. Describe your point of view and back it with additional information if needed.
3. Use vivid examples;
4. Use various sources to make your statement more argumentative
There are also a few tips, which will help you to avoid common mistakes. First, don’t give a
summary of the articles. You should perform your personal opinion, not an overview. You should
always back your ideas with examples. However, avoid using examples, that are difficult to
relate to the topic. With the help of these simple rules, you will learn how to write a reaction
paper and will be able to create an outstanding work.
Reference
Ybanes, A. R. (2020). depedtambayan. Retrieved from depedtambayan:
https://depedtambayan.net/english-for-academic-and-professional-purposes-quarter-1-module-
4-writing-the-reaction-paper-review-critique/
