This exam will be formatted as a reaction paper. A reaction paper is a brief essay that explains your thoughts about a reading. The goal of this exam is to give you an opportunity to examine the issue that you have been given and to present your understanding of one significant aspect of juvenile delinquency and/or juvenile justice system. Therefore, your answers should demonstrate that you have read the paper and thought about the subject in a critical manner.
In other words, it is not a research paper, nor is it simply a summary of the work. A reaction paper should demonstrate your understanding of the material by giving an original
response to the content of the reading. Your answers will have three major sections:
1st Section (Introducing the Topic)
- Provide a general overview and discussion of the material and specific issues highlighted in the material.
- What is the main problem or issue that the author is addressing?
- What is the main objective of the text?
- Does the author meet this objective? Why or why not?
2nd Section (Providing details of the topic)
- In the second section you will need to discuss the material.
- What is the author’s central claim, argument, or point?
- What assumptions does the author make? How do these assumptions shape the text?
- What are the significant points that are made? Include any statistical data, evidence, or other information needed to explain the primary concepts covered.
- What examples or case studies are presented on the topic?
3rd Section (Presenting your reaction to the material)
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the text? Do the methods make sense? Is it theoretically sound?
- What did you specifically find important, interesting, or unusual?
- Did you find yourself in agreement with the concepts?
- What does the author miss, if anything?
- What were your ideas or attitudes about this topic before you read the material?
- What are your attitudes now? Explain.
Your reaction paper does not need to answer all the above questions, but you will address most of them. In order to answer the preceding questions, consider the following:
- Explain key terms, main arguments, and assumptions of each text in your own words, and then respond to those things. Refrain from using many direct quotes from the text.
- Characterize the text’s arguments as fairly and accurately as possible. If you disagree, disagree with what the author is arguing and do not construct a straw man argument (Links to an external site.).
- Consider multiple perspectives on the issues.
- Include your own voice by questioning arguments and evidence and raising critical questions.
- Be specific in your critiques and claim