You will receive a handout in class that contains several articles in regard to the settlement of America and the Voices of Native Americans. Choose only one article and write your “Response” to the text.
Here are the instructions for the Response to Selected Readings:
In-Class Response to Selected Readings – Guidelines and Grading Rubric
There are a total of 4 response papers – 300 to 500 words worth a maximum of 10 points per paper
This assignment is designed to develop your critical thinking and critical reading skills. While reading these short essays, speeches, and interviews of different accounts of history you will think about what is written and give your opinion of the content of the text. Write your thoughts and response to these readings in 200 to 400 words. Demonstrate the use of some of these tools for critical reading:
Preview the text: What does the title tell you? What do you already know (or think you know) about the subject? What opinions do you have? What do you hope to learn from reading the selection?
Notice the voice of the author: What purpose, expertise, or possible biases can you identify?
Consider the context: When, where, and or how was the text conceived or presented? Who was the intended audience? What is the background of the author?
Read and analyze the text: What are the main points? What are the author’s underlying assumptions? Did the author clearly state his opinion? Was there anything confusing? State whether or not you agreed or disagreed with the author’s statements.
Consider the effect that the text had on you: What it interesting, intriguing, puzzling, intimidating? You may use some of your own words to describe the effect of this text. Would you like to know more about the topic of the text?
Example sentence beginnings:
I find the author’s opinion …
I did not understand…
My favorite statement was…
I was especially moved by…
The reader can conclude that…
The author did not explain…
(These are only examples; please use your own sentences for this assignment)