A critical response paper is one that summarizes and evaluates. So, roughly the first half of the paper will be a summary of the author’s argument, and the second half will be an evaluation of the content discussed in the first half. The paper should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the author’s argument and include carefully reasoned arguments in defense of the student’s point of view. The paper should also make as many connections as possible to course materials, including quotes from the book(s), as well as from other essays and articles when relevant. Students may use a previously written RN as a ‘jumping off’ point for a critical response.
For the first critical response paper, the student will respond, critically (where ‘critically’ means ‘with substantive engagement’, and not necessarily ‘with disagreement’), to any one of the readings from UNIT 3. Students should not do any outside research. Rather, limit your research to the readings found in UNIT 3.600 – 800 wordsDouble-spaced12 point font1 inch marginsNo cover pageSaved as a Word .docProper citations (Chicago/Turabian)Must be uploaded through CANVAS on or before the due date. There will be a deduction of one full letter grade (that is: 11%) for every day the assignment is late.
The paper must be argumentative within a critical response framework.
Critical Response Papers
Critical Response Papers CriteriaRatingsPts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Quality of Writing Grammar and style are polished = 27 – 30; Grammar and style are good = 24 – 26.5; Grammar and style are acceptable, but some problems may make reading difficult = 21 – 23.5; Grammar and style obstruct reading = 1 – 20.530.0 pts
Excellent Quality
Grammar and style are polished = 27 – 3026.5 pts
Good Quality
Grammar and style are good = 24 – 26.523.5 pts
Acceptable
Grammar and style are acceptable, but some problems may make reading difficult = 21 – 23.520.5 pts
Poor Quality
Grammar and style obstruct reading = 1 – 20.5
30.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Meets minimum requirements Paper is not an argumentative response essay = 0; Paper is not on a relevant topic = 0; Paper is either under or over the required word count = 020.0 pts
Full Marks0.0 pts
Does not meet minimum requirements
Paper is not an argumentative response essay = 0; Paper is not on a relevant topic = 0; Paper is either under or over the required word count = 0
20.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Quality and Clarity of Argument Excellent summary of author’s arguments; excellent evaluation of author’s arguments; multiple and relevant connections with other course materials; logical argumentation is employed in defense of student’s point of view = 45 – 50; Good summary of author’s arguments; good evaluation of author’s arguments; some connections with other course readings; logical argumentation is employed in defense of student’s point of view = 40 – 44.5; Acceptable summary of author’s arguments; acceptable evaluation of author’s arguments; few connections with other course readings; logical argumentation is employed in defense of student’s point of view = 35 – 39.5; Summary may be seriously deficient; evaluation may be seriously deficient; connections to other course materials may be lacking; logical argumentation and coherence may be lacking = 1 – 34.550.0 pts
Excellent summary and excellent evaluation
Excellent summary of author’s arguments; excellent evaluation of author’s arguments; multiple and relevant connections with other course materials; logical argumentation is employed in defense of student’s point of view = 45 – 5044.5 pts
Good summary and good evaluation
Good summary of author’s arguments; good evaluation of author’s arguments; some connections with other course readings; logical argumentation is employed in defense of student’s point of view = 40 – 44.539.5 pts
Acceptable summary and evaluation
Acceptable summary of author’s arguments; acceptable evaluation of author’s arguments; few connections with other course readings; logical argumentation is employed in defense of student’s point of view = 35 – 39.534.5 pts
Seriously deficient summary and evaluation
Summary may be seriously deficient; evaluation may be seriously deficient; connections to other course materials may be lacking; logical argumentation and coherence may be lacking = 1 – 34.5
50.0 pts
Total Points: 100.0
Please ensure that the paper is not a full summary of the reading. Briefly summarize “an” argument from the reading and spend the rest of the time evaluating it.