The Response Paper
25 point response

• follows paper formatting guidelines
• at least 250 words
• does not summarize
• references the text at least twice, using proper MLA citation
• engages the text on the level of the idea being presented
• employs well developed paragraphs:
• topic sentence
• thesis
• details from text to support idea / thesis
• draws larger conclusions about self, other, community, humanity, etc. based on text
• offers insightful and creative perspective

20 point response

• follows most paper formatting guidelines
• at least 250 words
• minimal summary (no more than one sentence)
• at least 2 textual references, cited but not necessarily done correctly
• engages the text on the level of the idea, but not as well as the 25 point response
• employs well developed paragraphs (see 25 point) but may stray off-topic
• attempts to struggle with the larger conclusions and insightful perspective

15 point response

• follows some paper formatting guidelines
• at least 200 words
• some summary
• only references the text once / reference is not in quotes or properly cited
• attempts to make meaning from text
• paragraphs incomplete or choppy, few details from text to support ideas

5-10 point response

• fewer than 200 words, not typed, sloppy copy, spiral edges / generally does not follow paper formatting guidelines
• summarizes more than engages ideas
• does not reference the text directly or references inappropriately
• does not attempt to make meaning / seek understanding of the text
• poorly developed paragraph(s)

INFORMAL PAPER FORMATTING GUIDELINES

• Name, Date, Period #, Page # (if more than one page) and Assignment on upper left hand corner of the first page; last name and page number in the upper right hand corner of EACH page.
• Title of Assignment on top line, double spaced, 1” margins on all sides, clean edges
• INK!