Reading Response Description
Description of Reading responses
Reading responses consist of 1-2 pages maximum about the assigned readings. A response should include the following 4 elements:
• An abstract of the reading (a summary paragraph that captures the main points)
• A memorable quote, drawn from the reading
• An evaluative response based on the following questions: What do you find the reading taking for granted that you would not take for granted? Where do you see the reading leading you that you don’t want to go?
• An application of the reading to something drawn from your personal life experience
These are “informal” uncensored writings, graded only for the level of content or thinking or creativity, not for grammar or other writing criteria. Background research is permitted, as long as you don't copy/paste from it. This is a chance for you to develop your thoughts, not imitate someone else's.
Superlative papers (those that show you put real thought into what you wrote) will receive 9-10 points, routine papers will receive 7-8 points, and papers missing some of the required elements 5-6 points or less.
Papers that come in more than one week late will be automatically lowered by 1 points. Papers more than a month late will be lowered by 2 points.
A sample reading response:
Susan Blackmore
“The Human Brain”
response by Doug Chismar
Abstract:
This chapter provides an overview of recent brain research that tries to figure out how we are conscious. It focuses on questions about the unity of consciousness (where does this occur in the brain?). The author also looks at some odd phenomena like synaesthesia and damaged brains to understand how normal brains maintain conscious awareness of the world.
Memorable quote:
“How could this awful, toe-curling, horrible, unwanted feeling in the side of my head actually be the firing of a few of my C-fibres?”
Evaluative response:
The author seems to be pretty skeptical about the idea of consciousness existing as a separate reality apart or above brain tissues. I personally believe that there may be more to that theory than the author suggests. Despite the effects upon consciousness of brain injuries, I don't see how consciousness can ever be reduced to electrical discharges and neuro-transmitters. So I believe Blackmore dismissed other theories too quickly (and offered no alternative that answered the questions she raised).
Personal response:
I was really interested in the “damaged minds” part of the chapter. It made me think about times when I have been sick and the world seemed very different. What would it be like to suffer from a stroke or a brain tumor and have everything slowed down or warped in some way? This made me appreciate how “normal” my experience of the world is most of the time and how this is achieved through a fragile balance of forces in my brain.
Reading responses consist of 1-2 pages maximum about the assigned readings. A response should include the following 4 elements:
• An abstract of the reading (a summary paragraph that captures the main points)
• A memorable quote, drawn from the reading
• An evaluative response based on the following questions: What do you find the reading taking for granted that you would not take for granted? Where do you see the reading leading you that you don’t want to go?
• An application of the reading to something drawn from your personal life experience
These are “informal” uncensored writings, graded only for the level of content or thinking or creativity, not for grammar or other writing criteria. Background research is permitted, as long as you don't copy/paste from it. This is a chance for you to develop your thoughts, not imitate someone else's.
Superlative papers (those that show you put real thought into what you wrote) will receive 9-10 points, routine papers will receive 7-8 points, and papers missing some of the required elements 5-6 points or less.
Papers that come in more than one week late will be automatically lowered by 1 points. Papers more than a month late will be lowered by 2 points.
A sample reading response:
Susan Blackmore
“The Human Brain”
response by Doug Chismar
Abstract:
This chapter provides an overview of recent brain research that tries to figure out how we are conscious. It focuses on questions about the unity of consciousness (where does this occur in the brain?). The author also looks at some odd phenomena like synaesthesia and damaged brains to understand how normal brains maintain conscious awareness of the world.
Memorable quote:
“How could this awful, toe-curling, horrible, unwanted feeling in the side of my head actually be the firing of a few of my C-fibres?”
Evaluative response:
The author seems to be pretty skeptical about the idea of consciousness existing as a separate reality apart or above brain tissues. I personally believe that there may be more to that theory than the author suggests. Despite the effects upon consciousness of brain injuries, I don't see how consciousness can ever be reduced to electrical discharges and neuro-transmitters. So I believe Blackmore dismissed other theories too quickly (and offered no alternative that answered the questions she raised).
Personal response:
I was really interested in the “damaged minds” part of the chapter. It made me think about times when I have been sick and the world seemed very different. What would it be like to suffer from a stroke or a brain tumor and have everything slowed down or warped in some way? This made me appreciate how “normal” my experience of the world is most of the time and how this is achieved through a fragile balance of forces in my brain.