How to Write a Reaction Paper 101

Have you ever written a review on Amazon or a TikTok comment? That’s a reaction, which is only one step away from a reaction paper your professor assigns. Of course, to get an A, you’ll need a little more than pressing the thumbs-up button or pasting a few emojis. 

In this post, we’ll share what sets a reaction paper apart from other assignments, explain how to write a reaction paper, and share a tried-and-true essay outline. Strap in, and let’s get reacting!

What Is a Reaction Paper?

A reaction paper is a common academic assignment asking for your opinion about a specific topic. It’s often a book, an article, or a movie, but some professors may ask you to react to a real-world event, a news headline, or a social media trend. 

A reaction essay is not a one-line review or a rant. It’s not enough to say that the book was dull or the speech was crazy. You need to explain exactly what you found boring or mind-boggling in the source material, with examples. At the same time, you should not turn this paper into a literary analysis, nitpicking metaphors and word choice. Instead, focus on your emotional or physical reactions, the thoughts or actions the material provoked.

Types of Reaction Paper

These four types of reaction papers aren’t set in stone. In fact, most professors won’t specify the response essay category. But if you pay attention to the prompt, you’ll find the keywords that match one of these essay types. Our cheat sheet is here to help you understand what professors expect of you. 

Critical Reaction Paper

It’s the most common reaction paper type, with a focus on critical analysis and evidence to support your emotional response to the material. Your task is to offer subjective opinions supported by examples to present a strong case for your take. Don’t turn a critical reaction paper into a roast or a literary analysis piece. A good example of this essay type is an analysis of directing, acting, visuals, and music in a movie.

Comparative Reaction Paper

It’s a mix of a compare-and-contrast essay and a reaction paper. Instead of analyzing a single book, movie, or event, you have to compare two or more. Remember to highlight your response to the similarities and differences instead of merely listing them. For example, you can share your opinions on the differences between a book and its film adaptation or an animated Disney movie and its live-action version.

Personal Reaction Paper

This type of reaction paper should focus on you. While other types can tie the material to the class syllabus or current events, a personal reaction paper centers around how it impacts you. Besides listing your emotional responses, you can also explain the thoughts the material provoked or the changes in your life it incited. For instance, explain how your favorite book hits different notes when you reread it a few years apart.

Descriptive Reaction Paper

Descriptive writing relies on word choice and language rather than evidence or reflections. For this type of reaction paper, the summary or retelling of the material should be at the core. You should also paint a vivid picture of your emotional and critical responses. For example, you can describe the events in the book and your own actions in a similar situation, and how the two are connected. 

Reaction Paper Outline and Format

A reaction paper can follow a basic 5-paragraph structure: introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion. Here’s an outline template you can follow:

1. Introduction
1. Present the work you’re reacting to
2. Briefly summarize the material
3. Share a thesis statement to present your response
2. Body paragraph 1
1. In the topic sentence, present your first impression of the material
2. Provide examples that impressed you the most
3. Analyze why these specific aspects had the strongest impact on you
3. Body paragraph 2
1. In the topic sentence, share other reactions you had
2. Share examples or quotes for each of your major reactions
3. Reflect on the range of emotions the material provoked
4. Body paragraph 3
1. In the topic sentence, highlight your most negative reaction
2. Include quotes or examples of the things that disturbed you
3. Consider the alternatives the author could have used to avoid alienating the audience
5. Conclusion
1. Remind the readers about the object of your paper
2. Summarize the body paragraphs’ topic sentences
3. Include a parting remark on your overall impression of the material

This is merely a sample you can use when writing a reaction paper. While the introduction and conclusion will stay the same, regardless of your topic and prompt, there are many other ways to structure the body paragraphs. For example, you can focus on the material’s relevance for your life, your school, and the world in each of the body paragraphs. You can also dedicate one paragraph to recommendations for people who’d appreciate the material or alternative pieces you like better. 

If you can’t decide how to structure your reaction paper, revisit the prompt to identify the keywords and guide your planning. Or contact our research paper writing service for outlining, writing, or editing help. 

6 Steps to Write a Reaction Paper

So what exactly goes into writing a good reaction paper? To make things easier for you, we’ve divided the writing process into six manageable steps. The key is to take them one at a time, without skipping, or you’ll miss something vital.

Step 1. Analyze the Prompt

Understanding the task is half the job. Dissect the prompt, highlighting the keywords and focusing on the reaction paper requirements. Before taking the next step, ensure you have answers to all these questions:

• What’s the topic of your paper?
• Which book (movie, etc.) do you need to react to?
• What are the main questions you have to answer?
• What’s the required word count?
• How many references do you have to cite?
• What is the required formatting and citation style?
• What’s the submission deadline?

If you have any questions about the reaction paper, ask them right away. Don’t wait for office hours to clear up the task. The more time you have to work on your paper, the better.

Step 2. Study the Material

You cannot react to something you haven’t read, heard, or seen. That’s why you need to be familiar and comfortable with the material before writing a reaction paper. It’s important to factor in this step into your time estimate. For example, you can watch a 2-hour movie in one night, but reading a novel will take you at least a few days, unless you go with the Cliff’s Notes version. In some cases, you may need to revisit the piece several times before working on your reaction paper, which will require even more time. 

If you have the option to choose the topic on your own, go with a book (or another piece) you know well. It’ll save you time, even if your response won’t be as fresh.

Step 3. Take Notes

Active reading (listening or watching) is key. While you’re working your way through the material, keep a notepad close, or at least a notes app on your phone. Keep track of anything that causes a strong response, like a laugh or a tear. Here’s what you’ll need for your reaction paper:

• Page, chapter, or time code for future reference
• Quote that caught your attention
• The emotion the piece provoked
• The reasoning behind the emotion
• Additional thoughts or questions that popped into your mind

Taking notes is important, but don’t let it distract you from the material. If you focus too much on reaction paper analysis every time something catches your eye, your overall impression of the material can be skewed. Try to stick to a one-minute limit for each of your notes. You can even use voice notes and get speech-to-text software to transcribe them for you. 

Step 4. Outline the Paper

Getting the top score for a reaction paper is so tough because many students miss the point. They turn their essays into rants or rambling summaries. To stay on topic and cover all bases, you need a roadmap. That’s why an outline, even a basic one with only a list of your main ideas, is vital.

You can use the template we’ve shared above or rely on the simple 5-paragraph structure. Use the notes from the previous step to identify the main points that form the core of your response. You don’t have to use them all, but if you can sort them into several categories, choose the three with the most notes and strongest reactions. Build your outline around them. 

Step 5. Write the Essay

There’s no universal guide for how to write a reaction paper. For many, the brain dump method works best. You set a timer for 30 to 60 minutes and simply type everything that comes to mind after learning the material. Don’t mind typos or errors. You can even dictate it without looking at the screen. The goal is to get as many ideas on paper as possible in the shortest amount of time. Once you cover every major point in your outline, you can return and clean up your writing. 

If you hate editing and prefer to minimize the post-writing routine, try scheduled writing sessions. Writing in unusual places or times can also help beat writer’s block. You can even write a reaction paper when you’re a little buzzed to help unlock your creativity. 

By the way, if you don’t know how to start a reaction paper, you can skip the introduction and finish the body paragraphs and conclusion before returning to the beginning.

Step 6. Edit and Proofread

No one publishes the first draft, and you shouldn’t submit it, either, if you want to get a good grade. Instead, pause your writing after you’re done with the draft. When you can look at your reaction paper with fresh eyes, put on your critic’s hat. Look for weak or missing evidence, pointless ideas, or unnecessary analysis. Eliminate redundancies and replace them with stronger reasoning. 

Once editing is over, switch to proofreading. Professionals focus on one type of mistake at a time. So do several read-throughs to catch typos, missing commas, poor word choice, and grammar mistakes. Supplement your standard spellchecker with professional tools, such as Grammarly or Hemingway Editor, for better results.

And remember to use the proper reaction paper format to make a good first impression. 

Final Thoughts

A reaction paper is easier and harder than it seems at the same time. It’s not just a review or a complaint, but rather a substantiated response that follows a basic academic writing structure and fulfills the same requirements. Luckily, once you understand the prompt and your material, you can use our template to outline and write your essay before editing and submitting it for grading. 

What if you’ve found this post too late? Giving up is not an option. Instead, pay for research paper or reaction paper writing. With our help, you’ll submit the essay on time and get a good grade. Besides, you’ll have a picture-perfect sample to rely on when you work on your next reaction assignment.