Sunday, April 24, 2016

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How to of the Day


How to Borrow From Your Life Insurance Policy

Posted: 24 Apr 2016 05:00 PM PDT

Whether it be for an emergency, some needed home repairs, or that can't-miss investment opportunity, just about everyone needs a quick infusion of cash now and then. But if you don't have the money readily available, maybe it's time to consider a loan. With all the financial resources that seem to be floating around out there today, you might tend to overlook one that's probably sitting in a desk drawer or a safe deposit box—your whole life insurance policy.

EditSteps

EditDetermining Whether Your Policy Qualifies As a Loan Source

  1. Check to see which kind of life insurance policy you have. Not all life insurance policies allow you to borrow against them, so you need to find out the type of policy you own. The most common types of life insurance policies are:
    Assess the Benefits of Outsourcing for Your Business Step 5.jpg
    • Permanent life policies. These policies have a savings element along with the mortality coverage, and that is why you can borrow from them. This category can be broken down into:
      • Whole Life Insurance. You pay the same amount of premium for a specific period to receive the death benefit.
      • Universal Life Insurance (also known as "adjustable life insurance"). You can reduce or increase your death benefit, and also pay your premiums at any time and in any amount (subject to certain limits) after you've made your first premium payment.
      • Variable Life Insurance. Most of your premium is invested in one or more separate investment accounts, such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds. The interest that your accounts earn increases your policy's cash value.
      • Variable Universal Life Insurance. Gives policyholders the option to invest, as well as easily change the insurance coverage amount.
    • Term Life Insurance. Pays the face amount of the policy at death, and only provides protection for a set term period (normally 30 years maximum). Does not build cash value.[1]
  2. Find out if your particular policy permits you to take a loan. Take a look at your policy to check if there's a loan provision. You can also contact your agent for this information. For the most part, you can borrow against a permanent life insurance policy, since it has a cash surrender value.[2] As for term life policies, these are not loan sources since they don't have a cash value that can be borrowed.[3]
    Determine Comparative Negligence in Auto Accidents Step 5.jpg
    • Only the owner of the permanent life insurance policy can borrow from it, not the insured or beneficiaries, unless they are also the owner.
  3. Verify that your policy has enough cash value available for the loan. Check on your insurance company's website or with your agent to find out the cash value of your policy. You can typically borrow up to the cash value you've accumulated in the account, but guidelines may differ from one company to the next.[4] Note that cash value grows slowly at first, so you may have to own the policy for a while (sometimes as long as ten years) before you can borrow against it.[5]

EditDeciding Whether to Take the Loan

  1. Weigh the benefits of a life insurance loan versus a conventional loan. There are several reasons a loan against your insurance policy may prove to be a better deal than a standard bank loan. Some of these are:
    Apply for the CBAP Exam Step 6.jpg
    • There's no approval process, credit check, or income verification, since technically you're borrowing against your own asset.
    • Insurance policy loans usually have much lower interest rates than bank loans.
    • You're not limited as to how you can use the money. A bank might restrict how you can apply the loan proceeds, but an insurance policy loan has no such limitations.
    • There's no required monthly loan payment, and there's no payback date. The balance of the loan will be deducted from the death benefit that goes to your beneficiaries.[6]
  2. Take into account the downside to borrowing against your life insurance. Few things in life are risk-free. And taking a loan against your insurance policy is no exception. For example:
    • If you don't pay the interest on your loan, the insurance company will add that unpaid interest to your loan amount. This interest is subject to compounding. What that basically means is that in addition to paying interest on the actual loan amount, you're paying interest on all the accumulated interest as well.
    • Dividends generated by the insurance policy will likely decrease as long as the loan is outstanding. Insurance dividends are basically a periodic return of your premiums. The dividend is based on the amount of your money available to be invested by the insurer. Taking the loan means that less of your money is available for investment, thus—lower dividends.[7]
    • In many cases, the cash value in your insurance policy is protected from creditors. However, once you withdraw money, the amount you take out is no longer sheltered.[8]
    • If the increasing amount of unpaid interest causes your loan balance to exceed your policy's cash value, the insurance policy could lapse.[9]
    • To keep the policy from lapsing if your loan balance becomes greater than your policy's cash value, you'd have to pay back the entire loan. You can't pay it back in increments.[10]
  3. Consider the tax consequences. The proceeds of the insurance policy loan are usually not taxable to you, as long as the loan amount is equal to or less than the total premiums you've paid. However, if the policy lapses, the IRS then considers your loan balance plus interest as taxable income for which you're liable. This only occurs when the loan proceeds exceed the cash surrender value and it only applies to the difference.[11][12]

EditRequesting the Loan

  1. Contact the insurance company to obtain the necessary forms. Your insurer can forward you the appropriate form for taking out the loan. You may also be able to download the form from the company's website. Depending on your insurance company, you might be permitted to arrange for the loan by phone. For example, one insurer instructs its clients to call if the loan is for $25,000 or less.[13]
  2. Make sure you properly identify the owner of the policy. The information needed to properly complete the loan application depends on whether the owner is an individual, a business, or a trust. If it's a trust (see definition here), you'll need to know the date the trust was executed (signed). You'll also have to provide the owner's contact information, as well as a social security number (for an individual) or a tax ID (for a business or trust).[14]
    Cancel a Real Estate Contract Step 2.jpg
    • You will need to be a trustee and have legal authority within the trust in order to make the transaction.
  3. Determine the payout method. The loan application will most likely ask how you want the proceeds distributed. Obviously this will depend on your purpose for taking out the loan. Usually you'll have the choice of:
    • Having the proceeds paid by check (usually received in five to ten business days[15]), or
    • Applying the loan amount to payment of future premiums. Sometimes people will do this if they don't have the money available to pay the premiums out-of-pocket, but they don't want their policy to lapse.[16]
  4. Keep track of the loan. Since you don't have to make monthly loan payments, or pay back the loan within a certain time, it could be very easy to simply forget about it. That would be a mistake. Remember, your life insurance policy and the loan are financial investments. Here are some guidelines you might want to follow:
    • Monitor the loan balance regularly, in comparison to the cash value of the policy. You don't want the loan to exceed the policy's cash value, which could result in the policy lapsing.
    • Devise a disciplined loan repayment plan and make regular scheduled payments. Don't forget that any amount of the loan remaining when you die means that much less money for your beneficiaries.
    • Pay the interest on the loan every year to prevent the loan from increasing.[17]

EditTips

  • Consider speaking with an insurance adviser or a financial planner before applying for an insurance policy loan. He or she should be able to give you guidance on the process, and perhaps suggest other alternatives for your financial needs.
  • Note that when you take an insurance policy loan, you're not actually borrowing from your policy's cash value. You're borrowing from the insurance company, and your cash value is the collateral.[18]
  • Interest charged on a life insurance policy loan is generally not deductible for income tax purposes.[19]
  • You can stop interest on your life insurance loan from accruing, simply by paying the interest out-of-pocket. [20]
  • Ask your insurer about any processing fees that may be associated with the loan.
  • If need be, you can cancel (surrender) your life insurance policy, and collect the available cash surrender value. However, if you surrender the policy during the early years of ownership, the insurer will probably charge you "surrender" fees. Additionally, when you surrender your policy for cash, the gain is subject to income tax.[21]

EditWarnings

  • Even if you instruct your insurer to pay your loan interest with dividends generated by your insurance policy, if the dividends don't cover the full interest due, the unpaid interest will accrue and be added to the loan balance.[22]

EditSources and citations


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How to Make Bridal Bouquets

Posted: 24 Apr 2016 09:00 AM PDT

Make your own wedding party and bridal bouquets to add a unique sense of creativity and style to your ceremony. You get to choose every flower and ornament. Invite some of your bridesmaids along so they can build their bouquets at the same time.

EditSteps

EditPlanning Your Bouquet

  1. Decide on the overall color. White or cream flowers are traditional, but it's best to choose colors that complement the bridal dress. An elaborate gown should be the centerpiece, so restrain the bouquet to a single color or a small range of colors. A dress with a simple cut appreciates a more elaborate bouquet, with a variety of color and ornamentation.[1]

    • For a more subtle bouquet, choose colors similar to your wedding gown's. Avoid identical shades and consider including accent colors. Too much similarity can make the scene flat and hard to photograph.
    • A bouquet of similar colors and shades is the easiest to put together. A classic bouquet uses white, cream, peach, and light pink flowers.
    • Complementary colors make a pleasing bouquet. Try yellow and violet, blue and orange, or red and green. If you don't want a bold bouquet, use soft tones and light shades.
  2. Choose a strong primary flower. These flowers need long, strong stems to support the bouquet without breaking. If possible, choose flowers that will be in-season during your wedding. Out-of-season flowers are much more expensive, may require advance ordering, and are difficult to replace in an emergency. Choose one to three of your favorite flowers that fit the bill, or browse through these options:

    • Single roses (not spray roses[2])
    • Peonies (ask a florist to recommend a variety, as many double-flower peonies have weak stems[3])
    • Hydrangeas
    • Magnolia
    • Double dahlias (single dahlias tend to drop petals[4])
    • Lisianthus
    • Cymbidium orchids
    • Calla lilies (or colorful mini callas)
    • Stargazer lilies
  3. Select secondary flowers (optional). A single-variety bouquet can look wonderful, and puts less stress on the novice flower arranger. But to engage your artistic side, pick any number of smaller flowers to add variety. You can use practically any flowers for these. If you're not sure what to pick, browse florist shops or online bouquet arrangements.

    • Popular secondary flowers include small single roses, spray roses, and freesia.
    • "Filler flowers" are sprays of tiny flowers, buds, or berries. Try waxflower, baby's breath, or seeded eucalyptus.
  4. Decide on a size. The bouquet size should match your own size and the grandeur of the venue. Large bouquets suit large church weddings and beaches, while smaller ones fit well into intimate spaces. As a good rule of thumb, the bouquet should be no wider than the bride's waist. Keep comfort in mind as well: large bouquets can be tiring to hold.
    Make Bridal Bouquets Step 4 Version 3.jpg
    • Most bridal bouquet diameters range from 8 inch (20cm) to 13 inches (33cm).
    • Get more flowers than you need. The number of flowers depends on the variety. Fifteen to thirty flowers is typical, but order spares as well. You may change your mind or come up with a new idea as you are building the bouquet.
  5. Trim the stems underwater. Lower the stems into a bucket or sink full of water. Trim off the ends at a 45º angle, about 1–2 inches (2.5–5cm) from the end. This allows them to pull up water without air bubbles forming in the stem.[5] Keep the flowers in a container of cool water until you are ready to build the bouquet.

    • Leave the stems long so they are easier to work with. You can trim them again once the bouquet is finished.

EditMaking a Round Bouquet

  1. Select one type of flowers for this arrangement. Typically, you should use 12 dozen roses.
    Make Bridal Bouquets Step 6 Version 5.jpg
  2. Pull off thorns and foliage. Remove these with a stem stripper or floral shears, or pluck by hand if the stem has no thorns.

    • Discard damaged or discolored flowers.
  3. Create the center with your largest flowers. Choose four of the largest blossoms from your primary flowers. Position the blossoms in an even layer, crossing the stems.

    • Hold the bouquet just beneath the blossoms, where the stems cross. If you grip lower, the bent stems may cause the flowers to snap off.
  4. Add primary flowers one at a time. Place these one at a time, building evenly outward from your center. Keep the flowers as tight together as possible, crossing the stems so the flowers face slightly outward in a dome shape.

    • As you cross the stems, rotate your hand making a spiral shape with the stems.
    • A small bouquet may only use one ring of primary flowers around the center, especially if the blooms are large and fluffy.
  5. Expand the dome as you add more flowers. If you are using secondary flowers, place them wherever you see a gap between flowers. Place them around the edge of the dome as well, building it outward. Space these out so no two secondary flowers of the same type are touching each other. When finished, you should have a tight dome, with the largest flowers in the exact center.

    • Alternatively, build a Biedermeier bouquet. These have concentric circles of flowers with bold color differences.
  6. Trim the stems to make the bouquet easier to work with. Slice the stems to the same length using clean stem cutters or gardening shears. Leave them a little long for now (at least 10" or 25.4cm) as we will be trimming them again as a final step.[6]

  7. Make the final touches. Play with the bundle in your hand, adjusting any heights and making sure the bouquet looks balanced and rounded. If you see any uneven patches, fill them in with additional flowers.

    • If you have bouquet jewelry, push these down in between flowers throughout the bouquet. It only takes three or four pins to have a noticeable effect, but feel free to use more.
    • You may insert filler flowers throughout your bouquet. To make a spray at the edge, insert them between the outermost flowers only.
  8. Secure the bouquet with floral tape or natural raffia palm. Secure the bouquet about 1 inch (2.5cm) beneath the blossoms, or as close as necessary to keep the flowers tight together. Wrap the floral tape several times around the stems, then spiral it down another 3–4 inches (7.5–10cm).[7]

    • You can use large, strong rubber bands instead, unless using delicate-stemmed flowers such as tulips and hyacinths.[8] Place the band around two stems at one side of the bundle and twist to secure. Wrap the closed rubber band around the whole bundle several times, without inserting any stems inside it. Once tight, open the rubber band again and insert two stems on the opposite side. Place one band near the top of the stems, and a second one about 4 inches (10cm) beneath it.
  9. Tie the ribbon in a bow or spiral it down the length of the stems. Choose a ribbon that matches your bridal gown or the colors of the bouquet. Cut a piece about three times the length of the stems.

    • For the spiral approach, weave the ribbon down the whole length of the stem, tucking it into the floral tape at the top and bottom. Secure with pins pushed into the flower stems.[9]
    • For the bow approach, cut a piece of ribbon and tie a bow around the bouquet. Be sure to cut off any visible floral tape, natural raffia palm, or rubber band that was used to secure the bouquet.
    • For an added touch of glamour, use pearl tipped straight pins.
  10. Trim the stems once again. This type of bouquet is meant to be held in front of the bride, so the stems should be fairly short to avoid scraping the dress. 6–7 inches (15–17.5cm) is generally a good length. Pat the ends dry with a paper towel before handing to the bride.

  11. Keep the bouquet fresh. Keep the bouquet in a cool place until the wedding, in a container of water. A florist can sell you a flower preservative that will prolong the flowers' life. Transport the bouquet in water whenever possible.

    • If you do not have a cool room, keep the flowers in a fridge set above 35ºF (1.7ºC). Remove all fruit from the fridge; most fruit produce gases which speed up flower aging.[10]
    • A light spray of hairspray may preserve your bouquet as well. Hang the bouquet upside down for a few minutes so the hairspray dries on the blooms, before returning it to the vase.[11]

EditMaking a Hand-Tied Bouquet

  1. Select the flowers you plan to arrange. A traditional combination is white Roses, Lilies, and a splash of green foliage (Gunny Eucalyptus, Ferns, Camellia, Foxtail, Yarrow)

    • Remember to consider any allergies to specific flowers/plants when selecting the combination.
  2. Gather the necessary supplies before you begin arranging.
    Make Bridal Bouquets Step 18 Version 2.jpg
    • You will need strippers, scissors, raffia palm or rubber bands, clippers, and white ribbon.
  3. Clean the flowers and foliage for the arrangement. Using strippers, remove most foliage and any thorns from the flower's stems. Consider removing any guard petals (the outer petals) or additional tattered or wilted material from the stem.

    • If you'd like green in your bouquet, keep the top leaves of each flower.
    • Remove stamens from lilies, as they turn brown and can stain the Bride's dress.
    • Trim the foliage so everything below your grip on the stem in clean.
  4. Build the bouquet in your non-dominant hand. If you are right-handed, you will build the bouquet in your left hand and place the flowers and foliage piece by piece with your right hand. The placement of the flowers depend on the natural bend of the flower.

  5. Rotate the bundle of flowers as you add more. Adding the stem to the open area by your wrist, crossing the stems to make a spiral shape.

  6. Adjust the flowers as you rotate the bundle. Make sure the flowers are not at an awkward angle or extending too far from the center. Add filler to the perimeter to unify the bundle and serve as a border.

  7. Cut off about 6 inches of the stems. This will make the bouquet easier to work with.

  8. Secure the structure of the bouquet. Wrap the bundle with natural raffia palm or a rubber band as a temporary fastener.

  9. Wrap the bouquet with a ribbon and trim off the raffia or rubber band after completing two rotations with the ribbon. Use between 4 and 6 yards of ribbon depending on the width of the bouquet. Tie the end of the ribbon in a knot or a bow.

  10. Cut off the remainder of the stems and place the bouquet in water to keep it fresh! Cut the stems evenly about an inch below the ribbon.

EditMaking Other Types of Bouquets

  1. Make a presentation bouquet. These bouquets have long stems topped with a long strip of flowers. The bride cradles the stems, resting the bouquet against one arm.[12] These are simple to make, but may tire you out in a long ceremony.
    Wrap Flowers Step 9 preview.jpg
  2. Use a bouquet holder. Besides the decorative appearance, a bouquet holder helps by hydrating your flowers. Soak the "wick" of the bouquet holder before you place your flowers inside, and the stems will drink throughout your wedding.
    Arrange a Dozen Roses in a Vase Step 9 preview.jpg
    • The term "nosegay" refers to a small, round bouquet inside a bouquet holder or a decorative "tussy mussy." It can also refer to a small, looser bouquet that includes greenery or herbs.
  3. Craft a cascade bouquet. This is probably the most difficult bouquet to make, as it can easily become lopsided or overwhelm the rest of the decor. Start with a special bouquet holder with a slanted opening. Arrange the flowers so they spill out of the holder. Longer sprays trail out the front, and larger blossoms fill the mouth of the holder.
    Cascading Bouquet.png

EditThings You'll Need

  • 15–30 sturdy-stemmed flowers
  • 10+ additional flowers (optional)
  • Bouquet jewelry (optional)
  • Stem cutter
  • Bucket
  • Rubber bands (2 per bouquet) or floral tape
  • Paper towels
  • Wide ribbon
  • Straight pins

EditVideo

EditTips

  • Construct your bouquet in front of a mirror to have a better view of what the bouquet shape will look like.
  • Personalize your bouquet with flowers from your own garden.
  • If you are using roses that haven't opened yet, dip the stems into hot water (only a couple minutes) to force the heads open. Do not leave them in too long, or they will die.
  • Consider adding bouquet ornaments. If you want a little pizazz without making the bouquet larger, purchase bouquet jewelry. These are usually silver or pearl pins and brooches, pushed into the bouquet on a long wire.

EditWarnings

  • Extra-large bouquets or bouquets with sharp or heavy jewelry are not appropriate for throwing. Make a second, smaller bouquet for this purpose.

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations


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How to Write a Reaction Paper

Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:00 AM PDT

A reaction or response paper requires the writer to analyze a text, then develop commentary related to it. It is a popular academic assignment because it requires thoughtful reading, research, and writing. You can learn how to write a reaction paper by following these writing tips.

EditSteps

EditPrewriting and Actively Reading

  1. Understand the purpose of a reaction paper. Reaction or response papers are assigned so that after reading a text, you will think carefully about what you feel or think about the text.[1] When you write a response paper, you need to evaluate the text's strengths and weaknesses, along with if and how well the text accomplishes its objective. A reaction paper is not just a paper where you express your opinion.[2] These papers require a close reading of the text that goes beyond the surface meaning. You must respond to implied ideas, and elaborate, evaluate, and analyze the author's purpose and main points. In many cases, you can use the first-person "I" while writing reaction papers.[3]
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 1.jpg
    • When you respond to the text, back up your ideas with evidence from the text along with your own connection of ideas, texts, and overarching concepts. If you are asked to agree or disagree, you have to provide convincing evidence about why you feel this way.[4]
    • If responding to multiple texts, you must analyze how the texts relate. If responding to one text, you probably should connect the text to overarching concepts and themes you have discussed in the class.
    • The same assignment may also be given to films, lectures, field trips, labs, or even class discussions.[5]
    • A reaction paper is not a summary of the text. It also does not state, "I liked this book because it was interesting" or "I hated this because it was boring."[6]
  2. Figure out what the assignment is asking. Before beginning your paper, you must figure out exactly what your teacher or professor is looking for. Some teachers want you to react by analyzing or evaluating the reading. Other teachers want a personal response. Make sure you understand which kind of reaction the assignment calls for.
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 2.jpg
    • If you are unsure, ask the teacher to clarify what they expect from the assignment.[7]
    • You may be asked to react to the text in light of another text. If this is the case, you will want to use quotations from both texts in your writing.
    • You may be asked to react to the text in the light of the class themes. For example, if you read a book in a Sociology of Gender Roles class, you will want to read, annotate, and react based on how gender roles are described in the book.
    • You may be asked to react personally to the text. This is less common, but occasionally the teacher simply wants to know if you have read the text and thought about it. In this case, you should focus on your opinions of the book.
  3. Read the text you are assigned right after it is assigned. To complete a reaction paper, you don't just read, give your opinion, and turn in the paper. A reaction paper synthesizes the texts, which means you take the information you read and bring it together so you can analyze and evaluate. You have to give yourself time to do the readings, but more importantly, to digest what you've read so you can put the ideas together.[8]
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 3.jpg
    • One of the biggest mistakes that students make is waiting until the last minute to read and react. A reaction is a thoughtful consideration after reading and rereading several times.
    • You may need to reread the text multiple times. First, to read and familiarize yourself with the text, then again to start thinking about the assignment and your reactions.
  4. Write down your initial reactions. After you read through the first time, jot down your initial reactions to the text. Do the same thing on any subsequent readings.
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 4.jpg
    • Try completing some of the following sentences after you read: I think that..., I see that..., I feel that..., It seems that..., or In my opinion...[9]
  5. Annotate the text as you read. As you read through the text again, annotate it. Annotating in the margins of the text allows you to easily locate quotations, plot lines, character development, or reactions to the text. If you fail to annotate thoroughly, it will be more difficult to create a cohesive reaction paper.
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 5.jpg
  6. Question as you read. As you read the text, you have to start questioning the text. This is where your evaluation of the material and your reaction begins. Some questions to consider include:
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 6.jpg
    • What issues or problems does the author address?
    • What is the author's main point?
    • What points or assumptions does the author make, and how does she back that up?
    • What are strengths and weaknesses? Where are problems with the argument?
    • How do the texts relate? (if multiple texts)
    • How do these ideas connect to the overall ideas of the class/unit/etc?[10]

EditDrafting Your Essay

  1. Freewrite. Start by freewriting your reactions and evaluations of the author's ideas. Try to put into words what you think the author is trying to do and whether you agree or disagree. Then ask yourself why, and explain why you think these things. Freewriting is a great way to start getting your ideas on paper and getting past that initial writer's block.[11]
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 7.jpg
    • When you finish, read back over what you've just written. Determine what your strongest and most convincing reactions are. Prioritize your points.
  2. Decide on your angle. Reaction papers have to be critical and have some evaluation of the text. Otherwise, you are just summarizing what you read. After freewriting, decide what your angle is. Keep asking yourself the same questions as you craft a coherent reaction.
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 8.jpg
    • Think about why the author has written the article or story as they have. Why did he structure things in this particular way? How does this relate to the outside world?[12]
  3. Determine your thesis. Now that you have completed your freewriting and found your angle, you can now shape this into an argument. What interesting thing do you have to say about what you just read? Start to state why what you said is interesting and important. This is the core of your reaction paper. Take all your points, opinions, and observations, and combine them into one claim that you will prove. This is your thesis.
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 9.jpg
    • Your thesis will be one statement that explains what you will analyze, criticize, or try to prove about the text. It will force your reaction paper to remain focused.
  4. Organize your paper. Your paper should follow basic essay format. It needs an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each body paragraph should directly support your thesis. In each body paragraph, you should be reacting to a different portion of the text. Organize your reactions together into a few common topics so you can write them into paragraphs.
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 10.jpg
    • For example, if you are reacting to a theme in a book, you can split the paragraphs into how the setting, antagonist, and figurative imagery communicate the themes successfully or unsuccessfully.
  5. Gather quotations. After you organize your ideas into paragraphs, you need to find quotations that will support your points. You must back up your claims with evidence from the text. Look at your annotations for quotations that support your thesis.
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 11.jpg
    • Draft paragraphs that introduce quotations, analyze them, and comment on them.[13]
  6. Structure your paragraphs. Your paragraphs should always start with a topic sentence. Then you have to decide how to structure your paragraph. You can start with what the author says and follow that with your reaction. Or you can start with the author and then follow with how your reaction contrasts. You generally want to start with what the author says first and follow it with your reaction.[14]
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 12.jpg
    • A good way to think about structuring your paragraph is: detail, example/quotation, commentary/evaluation, repeat.

EditWriting Your Final Draft

  1. Write your introduction. Make sure your introductory paragraph states the name of the text, the author, and the focus of your paper. You may also want to include the year of publication and the publication it was taken from if relevant. It is also good to include the topic of the text and the author's purpose.[15]
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 13.jpg
    • The last sentence of your introduction should be your thesis.
  2. Reread your reaction paragraphs to ensure you make a stance. Although most reaction papers don't ask specifically for your personal opinion, you should be critiquing, analyzing, and evaluating the text, rather than just sticking to the facts.
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 14.jpg
    • Look for places where you simply report what the texts says instead of providing a critique or evaluation of what the text says.
  3. Explain the greater implications of the text for the class, author, audience, or yourself. One good way to analyze and evaluate the text is to connect it to other ideas you've discussed in the class. How does this text compare to other texts, authors, themes, or time periods?
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 15.jpg
    • If you have been asked to give a statement about your personal opinion, the conclusion may be the best place to insert it. Some teachers may allow you to state the personal opinions in the body paragraphs. Make sure to double check with the teacher first.
  4. Edit for clarity and length. Since reaction papers are usually short, you don't want them to be long. They can range from 500 words to 5 pages. Make sure to read your assignment carefully to make sure you follow directions.
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 16.jpg
    • Read through for clarity. Are your sentences clear? Have you supported and fully argued your points? Is there any place where you're confusing?
  5. Proof and spell check your document. Proof by reading for grammar errors. Look for run ons, fragments, verb tense issues, and punctuation errors. Check for spelling.
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 17.jpg
  6. Ask yourself if you responded to the assignment adequately. Double check your assignment guidelines. Make sure you have followed your teacher's directions. If you did, it is ready to submit.
    Write a Reaction Paper Step 18.jpg

EditTips

  • Look for things the author leaves out or raise counterarguments when an argument is weak.
  • Don't wait too long between reading the text and writing the paper. You don't want to forget important details.
  • This paper is not autobiographical. It's not about how you feel, how you were in the same situation, or how this relates to your life.[16]
  • Always check the format that your teacher gives you.

EditSources and Citations


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