Critical Reading for an In-class Essay

1. Critical Readingfor an In-class Essay Writing Center @ Gavilan College

2. What are you being asked to do? • Understand and restate the author’s argument. • Give your opinion on whether you agree or disagree with the author’s argument. • Throughout your essay, demonstrate you understand what the author is saying. • Provide support for your point of view.

3. Writing Prompt There are 3 parts to the writing prompt. • Summarize the author’s opinion. • State whether you agree or disagree. • Support your thesis with specific examples from the article and your own experience.

4. Your Response Summary + Your Thesis Introduction Main Idea 1 Main Idea 2 Main Idea 3 Conclusion

5. Reading Tips forthe In-class Essay • Research or review the author and context of the article. • Read and annotate the article. • Outline the author’s main ideas. • Discuss the article. • Define unfamiliar vocabulary.

6. The Main Idea Topic: The paragraph is about One to four words that describe the general subject of the paragraph Main Idea:The author argues What the author is saying about the topic.

7. The Summary Summarize the author’s thesis and main points in the introduction. • Identify the author and the title of the article. • Restate the author’s overall topic and overall main idea (thesis). • Summarize all or most of the author’s supporting main ideas from the body paragraphs. • Use your own words. • May include one direct quote or no quotes at all. • Typically ¾ of a page long. • Avoid personal opinion in the summary of the article. • Refer back to the author/article often (author argues, claims, states, believes, etc.).

8. Your Response Summary + Your Thesis Introduction Main Idea 1 Main Idea 2 Main Idea 3 Conclusion