REACTION ESSAYHow to plan and write an effective essay
READ OR VIEW PROMPT Take time to read or view the prompt that
has been given to you. On a piece of paper, note the main ideas or
focal points of the prompt. For a written prompt, make sure you can create a
quality summary: author, title, main ideas For a visual prompt, make sure you can create a
quality description: creator, title, focal points Use the main ideas you have gathered to
create your introductory/hook paragraph. When writing your introductory paragraph,
assume your reader has not read/viewed the prompt .
BRAINSTORMING AND OUTLINING Evaluate your reaction to the prompt
What are your feelings after reading/viewing the prompt
Your feelings are the focus of the essay. Create a thesis statement that mentions the
prompt and the main idea (your main feeling) How will you support the main idea of the
essay? Think about your feelings and the elements of the
prompt that created those feelings Create an outline by generating ideas/examples/
explanation that will support your feelings. Make sure you have strong topic sentences for each
body paragraph.
WRITE YOUR ESSAY
Working from the outline, create your first draft of the essay.
Review the draft Pay close attention to unity and coherence. Did
you follow your outline? Check for sentence structure and grammar
errors. Write your final draft to be submitted for a
grade.
EXAMPLE OUTLINE
Topic: Firewalking Video from National Geographic http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/places/culture-places/festivals-celebrations/greece-firewalking-pp.html
Introductory ParagraphHook:
Technique? Summary of the Prompt Ideas for Hook: Accurate discussion of the main ideas:
firewalking history, different opinions on firewalking, actual ritual
Thesis Statement: After viewing the Firewalking video from National Geographic, I felt impressed by the expressions of faith I saw and reminded that we should not judge others.
EXAMPLE OUTLINE
Body Paragraph OneTopic Sentence: The faith of the villagers
impressed me. Support One: Ability to maintain ancient tradition
Detail: ritual generates from centuries old belief Support Two: Belief in the power of St. Constantine
Detail: performing firewalk will honor and thus obtain saint’s protection
Support Three: Detail_______________________________________________
Conclusion: Return to TS or lead into next paragraph? _____________________
EXAMPLE OUTLINE Body Paragraph One
Topic Sentence: The faith of the villagers impressed me. Support One: Belief in the power of St. Constantine
Detail: performing firewalk will honor and thus obtain saint’s protection
Support Two: Ability to maintain ancient tradition Detail: ritual generates from centuries old belief
Support Three: Continue tradition even though it is condemned by some Detail: Main icon bearer dismisses the church’s
negative belief Conclusion: Return to TS or lead into next
paragraph? Although the villagers’ impressive faith allows their practice to continue, some in the Greek Orthodox church do not agree with the practice.
EXAMPLE OUTLINE Body Paragraph Two
Topic Sentence: I was not surprised by the Greek Orthodox priest’s reaction to the tradition. Support One: Belief that it was a pagan ritual was not
surprising to me Detail : many ancient rituals generate from pagan times
Support Two: While I have no problem with his manner or expressions of faith, it strikes me that his own behavior, manner of dress are reflections ancient beliefs Detail: He kissed the icons, he wore a long beard
Support Three: I find it funny how what is wrong to one person is a simple expression of faith to another Detail: Religions are replete with expressions of faith that
are surprising. Conclusion: Return to TS or lead into next
paragraph? Judging others is not a good idea
EXAMPLE OUTLINE Body Paragraph Three
Topic Sentence: I am reminded through the video about the nature of faith and the need not to judge others. Support One: My own viewpoint about expressions of faith
Detail: I know that some would not understand my faith Support Two: While I don’t firewalk, there are other
traditions I follow that might surprise others Detail: Some generate from ancient beliefs: christmas
trees, easter bunny/eggs. Support Three: The video reminded me that it is important
not to judge Detail As long as no one gets hurt!
Conclusion: Return to TS or lead into next paragraph? The video showed an ancient traditional expression of faith that challenged me to review my own.
EXAMPLE OUTLINE
Summarize and Link to Thesis or Prediction or Opinion? Final opinion on the firewalking video – as long as no
one is forced to do it, I think firewalking is a really unique expression of faith.