Read the provided text link and answer the following: and
A Short Guide to Reading Responses
AMH2020
1.Plan
- Purpose: The response should demonstrate your understanding of the reading, engage with the text critically, and articulate your thoughts clearly.
- Length: Around 500 words, so be concise.
- Focus: Discuss the main arguments, themes, or ideas presented in the reading, analyze them, and provide your own perspective.
- Pre-Writing: Read and Take Notes
- Active Reading: Identify the key arguments, themes, and evidence.
- Annotate: Mark important passages and jot down your thoughts, questions, and reactions.
- Summary: Summarize the reading (one or two sentences), focusing on the main idea.
- Structure Your Written Response
- Introduction (50-75 words):
- Start with a brief overview of the text.
- Indicate what aspect of the text you will focus on.
- Summary (100-150 words):
- Concisely highlight the key arguments or ideas.
- Avoid too much detailfocus on what you consider to be the essentials.
- Analysis (200-250 words):
- Critical Engagement: Reflect on the content. Provide evidence from the text to support your viewpoint.
- Connections: Relate the reading to other materials from the course or to broader historical themes. How does this reading contribute to your understanding of the particular era in U.S. History?
- Questions and Critiques: If applicable, point out any weaknesses, gaps, or questions raised by the reading.
- Authorship: Distinguish between chapters written by historians and Primary Source documents, authored by individuals who lived in that era. They require different kinds of analysis.
- Conclusion (50-75 words):
- Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in light of your analysis.
- End with a final thought, such as the significance of the reading to the course or its implications.
- Writing and Revising
- Drafting: Write a first draft, focusing on getting your ideas down clearly and logically. Dont worry too much about word count at this stage.
- Editing: Refine your draft, ensuring it is within the word limit. Cut any unnecessary details and make sure each paragraph has a clear purpose.
- Proofreading: Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Ensure your response is well-organized and flows smoothly.
- Final Checks
- Cohesion: Make sure your response logically follows.
- Originality: Ensure your analysis reflects your own thinking and isnt just a repetition of the text.
