Format: Each paper is no longer than 5 pages in length (not counting the title page and references), double-spaced, margins of 1 inch, and 12-point Times New Roman in APA style. Do not ignore or overlook these requirements. Noncompliance will cost points.
Topic: Start by thinking about which issues in class or the textbook have captured your interest. Then find an article that goes into depth related to that issue. A reaction paper reflects your intellectual reaction to an article from health administration literature. (Pamphlets, newsletters, promotional material, and that ilk are not acceptable sources.) A copy of the article must accompany the written paper.
Process: Your goal is to first summarize the article. You may spend 1-2 pages on this summary, which explains the article. The summary should be clear and interesting to anybody else in class whether the person has read that article or not. In the second part of your paper (2-4 pages) you go beyond the summary: critique the article; laud its methodological approach; propose a follow-up study; point out relevant other studies or findings (from your textbook, from lecture); apply the results to real-life; or discuss larger implications.
When you critique an article be fair in your criticism—anticipate opposing arguments and try to refute them. When expressing your own intellectual reaction, you must back up your claims (e.g., with arguments, compelling examples, or literature you read). All papers must be short and to the point.
Writing: Write well and avoid wordiness. Avoid typical grammatical and word-choice mistakes. Look for help in a style manual on the USM Libraries’ web site.
Grading criteria:
Punctuation, grammar.
Sentence length and structure: Is the sentence too long? Redundant? Would regrouping of words or clauses help?
Word choice: The goal is to find the simplest word that best describes your idea. Pay close attention to the use of technical terms: Is the term necessary? Would a commonly used word be more suitable? Is the term used correctly?
The logic of thought: Are the arguments clearly presented and convincing? Do conclusions follow from their premises? Are too many assumptions left unjustified?
Content: Does the paper have a clear topic, a point, a message? Or are you just rambling? Do the paragraphs speak to the general topic and do they form a coherent and logical order? Does the summary tell what the original article really did or are you confused? Is your reaction truly an intellectual reaction or is it just a continued summary?
