Guide to Writing a Controversies Reaction Paper (2 x 5%)
This semester we are reading a number of chapters in Controversies in Globalization that present point/counterpoint debates on major themes and issues in the study of globalization. You will be choosing two chapters from CIG on which to write reactions papers. By “reaction,” I mean that you will compose a careful analytical response to the debate in the chapter, declaring yourself to be more or less convinced by one side or the other (or both, or neither) for specific good reasons. In other words, you will have to declare yourself to generally believe or disbelieve one or more sides in the debate and then explain your reasons.
Your reaction papers should be between 1100 and 1250 words and combine a brief description or summary of the controversial issue (one solid paragraph) with your own analytical thinking about it with careful exposition of your thought process.
Your reaction papers are due within one week of reading being assigned, though you may choose different chapters or read ahead, in which case you will have one week from receiving instructor approval. You must complete the first of them by March 11 and the second by May 1.
In general, think of these papers as expressing an idea or thesis along the lines of: “When X and Y debate Z, I find myself tending to agree with X/Y because of reasons” or “Although X and Y thoroughly examine issue X, I think they have overlooked a very important dimension of the controversy.”
In composing your reaction papers, follow this rubric:
A papers make highly effective, accurate and concise summaries of the controversy, getting to its core questions; they articulate insights into global interdependence and power relations, showing a thorough, nuanced understanding of perspectives on globalization; they express the student’s stance on the issue in rational terms, with thorough explanations and presentation of convincing evidence. These papers obey a focused, coherent purpose and are written in perfect academic style with no errors in grammar or spelling.
B papers make reasonably effective, accurate and concise summaries of the controversy, approximating its core questions; they articulate good insights into global interdependence and power relations, showing some understanding of perspectives on globalization; they express the student’s stance in reasonable, with good explanation and evidence. These papers are well focused with a recognizable thesis statement, and are generally well proofread and edited for academic style.
C papers make a number of disconnected points about chapter, with generally weak understanding of the controversy or perspectives on globalization. The student’s stance is unclear or poorly explained or defended. These papers tend to describe more than they react or analyze. They demonstrate approximately correct proofreading and editing for academic style.
D papers make disconnected and incoherent points, or are overridden by descriptive summarization with no reaction or analysis. D-level papers are substantially shorter than 1100 words and show poor proofreading and editing for style.