Checklist: Writing About Readings

Any time you write in response to assignments, you may want to review the “Writing about Readings” checklist that follows.

CHECKLIST

Writing about Readings

FOCUS

  • Carefully read the writing assignment.

ASK

  • Does the assignment include any words that indicate the type of writing required (summarize, analyze, describe, give examples of, compare, and so on)?
  • Is the writing supposed to be in response to the reading alone, or are you expected to bring in other sources and points of view?
  • Are you supposed to quote from the reading to support your point?
  • Does the assignment ask you to evaluate the reading?

WRITE

  • Apply your critical reading skills to the reading, and write a response to the reading that fulfills the requirements of the writing assignment.