Response Paper Instructions
Introduction
A response paper is a 2-3 page essay that you write in order to evaluate a media presentation. In this case,
the media involved are case studies designed to present particular issues of relevance to our course, and to
act as a tool enabling you to explore your own thoughts on the issues. Your analysis and conclusions must
be supported by research; thus, you must cite your sources properly in APA format as is the standard for
all Galen courses.
In some case studies, a particular position may be presented, in which case you have the option to agree or
disagree when drawing your conclusions. In others, the “preferred” viewpoint may be left open. In such a
case, you should choose a particular position, and explain why you believe this to be the most valid
approach.
Choosing a Topic
Obviously, you want to choose at topic that “speaks” to you in some way. In doing so, you ensure that your
position will be enforced by your genuine thoughts. Now, this is not to say that you must or should always
choose a viewpoint with which you disagree; in fact, it might be useful to try to support a point of view you
do not hold. However, an attachment to the subject matter will make the writing process more interesting,
and also likely result in a higher quality paper.
Framing Your Response
Your response should consist of three main sections:
1) Introduction and Summary
2) Analysis
3) Response and Conclusions
In the first section, you will describe the scenario being presented in the case study. You should talk about
its main idea and, if a position is presented as being “correct,” you should also mention the evidence
provided in the original document (“your” evidence comes later one) to prove or support that main idea.
You should also clearly identify either a) what the author wants you to think or believe after reading, or b)
what the potential viewpoints are. For example, an ambiguous situation might lead you to say something
here like, “Based on the case study, there are two valid ways of considering the events described. On one
hand, John was perfectly justified in stealing from the bank because [reasons]. On the other hand, the rule
of law is important because [alternative reasons].” In this case you would then say, “I accept the
[first/second/etc.] view since [my reasons that will be analyzed below].
In the second section, you will need to identify what grabs your attention about the topic. What is
particularly effective at drawing you to both the scenario, and the viewpoint either presented by the author
or chosen after considering several possibilities? You might identify a potential audience that the author
has in mind, and consider how his/her arguments might persuade a member of such a group. Ultimately,
you want to identify the question, spoken or unspoken, that the case study is getting you to ask yourself,
and then you can apply ethical reasoning to examining the subject.
In the third section, you give your personal thoughts. What did you think about the document? Was the
author persuasive (if the document was intended to persuade)? Was the author effective at presenting a
situation that may be adequately examined from various perspectives? If the author intends to convince you
of his/her position, was the attempt successful? Why, or why not? If you chose a particular view, why did
you choose it? What impact would it make on society if your view was or became widely accepted? Is there
any validity to the position you did not choose?
Formatting Your Response
You have a couple of pages to work with, so how you pace your response will have a lot to do with how
powerful your response can be.
The introduction, the first few paragraphs, should grab the reader’s attention (without being outrageous),
and clearly demonstrate that you have read and understood the case study. A brief, effective summary
should form a part of that. Your thesis, your viewpoint, should also be clearly stated; whether you agree
with a position the author is advancing, or whether you have come to your own conclusion, this should be
indicated near the end of your conclusion, and will set the pace for the later sections.
Following this, as you transition into analysis, you may want to draw on your own experiences in reflecting
on your position as it relates to the written material, and give some background about the framework from
which you are approaching the problem. For example, you might mention traditions you have accepted,
family and cultural influences, and so on. You may quote from the original article or scenario, but do so
sparingly; use these statements to lead into, or support, something you are saying – they are not to be used
as a substitute for what you are trying to say.
In your response and conclusions, do not repeat your previous reasoning, or summarize arguments you have
already made. This is about tying together the ideas, referencing earlier sections of your paper without
duplicating the same wording, and attempting to make an impact on your reader by examining the “big
picture” raised by the case study, suggesting solutions to problems raised, attempting to persuade your
reader to accept your viewpoint, and explaining how your analysis and response supports your chosen
position.
this is the case study link