Overview
During the session you will write six short papers (Modules 1 – 6) in which you discuss the “big ideas” of cognitive science. The reaction paper assignment will open on the first day of the module (Monday). The deadline for all papers is the last day of the module (Sunday).
What a Reading Reaction IS
A reading reaction paper is a way for you to demonstrate that you are thinking deeply about the concepts in the course. Essentially, it is a brief critical analysis of some part(s) of the reading for a module. There are three main components of the reaction paper:
Part 1. The first paragraph introduces the key point(s) from the module reading(s) that you want to discuss.
Part 2. The second paragraph presents your reaction, or analysis.
Part 3. The third paragraph demonstrates your thoughts on how the main point(s) from the reading(s) changed your understanding or perspective on a particular issue, concept, theory, or methodological approach in cognitive science.
What a Reading Reaction IS NOT
A reading reaction is not “proof” that you have read the assigned material, nor is it a statement of whether you liked what you read and found it interesting. Therefore, the following should be avoided at all costs:
Summary. Although you will paraphrase certain text to identify your target concepts (paragraph 1) and substantiate your arguments (paragraph 2), merely regurgitating the text means you have not engaged in analysis.
Liking/Disliking. Your reaction should not be about how you feel about the text. Avoid making statements such as “This article was great!” or “I found this reading to be boring.”
Tips for Writing a Good Reading Reaction Paper
The assignment is very open-ended. However, there are some basic strategies that can help you write an effective reaction paper:
Narrow Your Focus. Your first paragraph paraphrases the key idea or ideas and elaborates on why the idea is important to our understanding of cognitive science. Start with something small—one reading or even a small section from one reading. For example, you could begin by paraphrasing one important sentence or passage and discuss its significance to a concept, theory, or study of cognition, or to the work (i.e., reading) as a whole. Or you could relate one sentence/passage to another in highlighting the significance. The choice is yours, but if you choose too much to address in your paper, the critical analysis will be superficial.
Use the Tools of Analysis. Your second paragraph should clearly and specifically critique the main point(s) identified in paragraph 1. For example, you might wish to:
Compare and contrast the author’s point(s) to points from another reading in the course (or even from a different course), looking for counterarguments or agreement. Further, in the case of conflict, you might evaluate both arguments to determine which one is stronger.
Evaluate the historical contribution of the authors’ work to the field by demonstrating how others have built upon and extended the main point(s) under discussion.
Relate the main point(s) under discussion to key elements of a theory and then examine the relationship to other theories.
Analyze the methodology that gave rise to the main point(s), using other sources to point out strengths and weaknesses in the research approach.
Synthesize a group of course readings to situate the main ideas from the reading(s) within the context of the learning objectives of the module or course.
These are merely suggestions. You are free to critically analyze any aspect of a reading. Just be sure that you are analyzing and not summarizing!
Share your Perspective. Your own voice should be evident in the third paragraph. You might discuss aspects of the reading about which you lack clarity, or offer your ideas for addressing any weaknesses in the authors’ work and moving the work forward.
Raise questions you would like to ask the author(s) of the reading, or include personal insights that go beyond the reading. Or explain how the reading connects to your prior knowledge and gives you a new perspective.
Preparing to Write a Reading Reaction Paper
A good way to prepare for these papers is to make note of questions or key insights you have as you read the assigned materials. It is also helpful to make connections to prior learning in other courses, as it allows you to construct a “cohesive whole” for theories and big ideas. am a “margin writer,” but some people prefer to use sticky notes to mark passages that cause them to pause and reflect as they read, such as when the reading reminds you of another reading for the course or something learned in another course.
You should make a quick note of your question or observation, and then revisit all notes when you have completed the reading to elaborate on your thoughts, consider possible answers to your own questions, and connect to any of the learning objectives for the module. This may seem like extra work that you don’t have time for, but as a graduate student you need to begin to bring all of the disparate pieces of knowledge you have into unified and interrelated structures. The processes of reading reflection and elaboration can help you do that.
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Last Completed Projects
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