Adapted from Susan Ely

Section 1: The introductory paragraph is a summary of the article with a response-based thesis at the end.

Section 2: The body paragraphs will: Begin with topic sentences that defends your

thesis by linking an idea from the text to an idea of your own.

Include personal experience connections Include textual evidence to support your

opinions

Section 3: The conclusion will review your main ideas and thesis.

Responding to a text

ageexperiencesgenderlocationpolitical beliefsinfluence of parents and peerseducationpast experienceculture/subcultureexpectationssocial class

Our reading & writing is shaped by who we are.

In “Goin’ Gangsta, Choosin’ Cholita: Claiming Identity,” Nell Berstein explains how some people have claimed racial identities other than their own.

Some people are influenced by music and television, and they begin to mimic the things they hear and see.

People claim to be races they are not because of association or they only claim to behalf of their ethnicity.

The suburbs are becoming more diverse and people in the suburbs are claiming parts of ‘city life.’

Some believe it’s too hard being white so they latch on to any race that they have in them and claim it.

Concluding thought: Bernstein believes that these teens are the embodiment of the 21st century through their actions to be whomever they choose.

In Why Consumers Have Been Choosing SUVs” by John Merline, the author argues that SUVs are not the polluting and dangerous vehicles the critics claim they are.

Even though SUVs are criticized for thei weight and structure which cause accidents, they protect people better than cars.

SUVs consume a lot of gas, but there are plenty that use fuel more effectively and economically.

SUVs are charged with causing global warming; however they are not a major contributing factor.

Concluding Thought: Despite some disadvantages of SUVs, Merline argues that consumers know which ar best for them and their needs

Sample Thesis: I think Merline is right to argue that SUVs are a good idea for some people and that they are being overly criticized.

Topic Sentence: I agree with Merline that SUVs’ safety features are a much bigger advantage than the disadvantages of roll-over issues. Exercise:

Come up with a personal experience that supports this topic sentence

Find a piece of textual evidence

Sample Response Ideas: Relating the article to personal experience

Textual Evidence: The most compelling evidence Merline offers is that the “fatality rate on the highways has dropped 27.4 percent” since SUVs started becoming popular (546).

1. Incorporate the mini-quote into your own sentence.

2. Use quotation marks and a page number.

Why does this make you feel that way: If people are buying more SUVs and dying less often, to my mind that has to be a good thing. I know that when I’m buying a car, my own safety is one of the biggest things I’m concerned about.

In Why Consumers Have Been Choosing SUVs” by John Merline, the author argues that SUVs are not the polluting and dangerous vehicles the critics claim they are. Even though SUVs are criticized for their weight and structure which cause accidents, they protect people better than cars. SUVs consume a lot of gas, but there are plenty that use fuel more effectively and economically. SUVs are charged with causing global warming; however they are not a major contributing factor. Despite some disadvantages of SUVs, Merline argues that consumers know which ar best for them and their needs. I think Merline is right to argue that SUVs are a good idea for some people and that they are being overly criticized.

Summary

Thesis

I agree with Merline that SUVs’ safety features are a much bigger advantage than the disadvantages of roll-over issues. The most compelling evidence Merline offers is that the “fatality rate on the highways has dropped 27.4 percent” since SUVs started becoming popular (546). If people are buying more SUVs and dying less often, to my mind that has to be a good thing. I know that when I’m buying a car, my own safety is one of the biggest things I’m concerned about. Currently, I drive a tiny little Toyota and have been considering trading it in for an SUV so that I’m safer on the road. It’s not just that my car is poor in the winter, but that semis and other large vehicles have a hard time seeing me. If I drove an SUV I’d be easier to see and it’d be easier to see what was going on around me.

Topic Sentence

Textual Evidence

Personal Experienc

e

Introduction

Body

Conclusion

-Present the topic being discussed to readers, a summary of the article being discussed.-Thesis: presents ONE opinion

-Supporting ideas Reasons/Evidence

-Refer back to your thesis-Final appeal to why your response is convincing and important

-Supporting ideas Reasons/Evidence-Supporting ideas Reasons/Evidence