Introduction
A response essay is basically a detailed, arranged and flowing form of an answer to a specific question. Response essays are fundamental in today’s education and you have to be well equipped to tackle them. Having the information is one thing but do you know how to write a response essay?
- Draft
A response essay needs to follow a specific flow for utmost communication. Consider the response essay as a product you’d like to sell and whoever you are presenting it to is your potential buyer. Like any good sales pitch, a response essay should start by showing the buyer what you intend to sell. You should have an introduction. Then, proceed to show the instructor your thesis. Then you go to the detailed explanation, the body. Wrap the sales up in style with the conclusion.
- Introduction
Here is where you get to give a brief outline or explanation on what you plan to address. This is your chance to grip your instructor’s attention. Shed some light on the topic and how you’d wish to approach it. Good introductions touch on previous similar works. This technique shows the instructor how deep you dug and all in all, it’s very captivating.
- Thesis
A thesis is like a question or a statement that you pose to yourself. Think of it like a literary compass. You choose to support or deny your thesis in the body. An example of a thesis is ‘Can running make people live longer?’ A thesis is the foundation of a good response essay.
- Body
This is where the magic happens. In the body, you explain your points in regard to the question. Depending on the specific topic, this is where you quote and state all the hard facts and evidence, supporting your answer. The body is the most important part of a response essay. Be careful not to make it too long or too short. A standard body is made up of three paragraphs, each paragraph containing two citations. This is where you convince the instructor and show them you’re right.
- Conclusion
This is the part you seal the deal. A great conclusion technique is looking back on the thesis. If you chose to support your thesis, you can throw in a point or two, denying your thesis and convince the instructor on how weak they are as compared to points supporting the thesis. Remember to wrap it up in style.