Reading Response Rubric for ENG 100
80-100 points
This response is thoughtful and original; it offers concrete details to support its
assertions; it engages the reader; it follows instructor’s instructions; it contains few
grammatical and/or punctuation errors; the length is accurate.
60-79 points
This response is thoughtful; it offers some support for assertions; it shows that the
writer has thought some about his or her response, but it does not contain deep
analysis or connections; and/or it follows only some of the instructor’s instructions;
and/or contains some grammatical and/or punctuation errors; and/or the length is
adequate.
0-59 points
This response shows the writer remembered that the response was due, but did
not carefully read the assigned passage and/or summarized the work rather than
analyzed, or gave a vague or incomplete response with little or no thoughtful
insight; and/or instructor’s instructions not followed; and/or contains several
grammatical and/or punctuation errors; and/or length is inappropriate.
Reading Responses for English 100
Assignment Sheet
Reading Responses are written responses which are intended to accomplish several things ---- to give you
writing practice, to give you the chance to reflect on various topics and writers, to offer you opportunity to
analyze a reading assignment, and to show me that you have read the assignment carefully.
With Reading Responses, entries should focus on impressions created by the works and impact of
information. Entries are NOT SUMMARIES (book reports), nor are they to contain quotations from the work.
If you are having difficulties finding a focus, here is a list of questions that might help stimulate ideas:
1. How do you respond to the work? As you read the work, did you become angry? Sad?
Did the work make you smile? Laugh?
2. Do you agree or disagree with the author’s ideas? What is YOUR opinion?
3. How do your own experiences affect your reading? Have you had a similar experience?
4. Did the essay inspire you to some action or change your attitude towards
someone or some circumstance in your life? Did the work help you see things from a different
point of view?
Make certain that you take time to carefully read the entire essay beginning with the author’s introduction
and write a thorough, thoughtful response. You may use first person (I, me, my, etc…) in your response
writing.
Length and Format
350-word minimum, 12 point font, double spaced
1” margins all around
Double-spaced heading at the left margin:
Student’s name
Samuel Williams
Instructor’s name
Instructor Gomez
Course
English 100-001
Date
1 September 2013
Include a centered title.
(See the last page of this document for a sample response in correct format.)
Percentage of grade: The average of the reader responses and paragraph grades will be 20% of the course
grade.
Due Dates: Refer to your course outline for due dates. No late reader responses will be accepted.
Note: Instructor will provide response assignments based on text and/or supplemental reader and
specific requirements for each section of this course.
Submission Requirements: Your instructor will specify whether you will hand in printed pages in class or
submit the work to Blackboard.
Remember: no late Reader Responses will be accepted.
Sample Reading Response
Assignment: Read pages 123-130 “Personal Diary of Christopher Columbus”
Student’s Name
Instructor’s Name
English 100-001
23 May 2009
“Personal Diary of Christopher Columbus”
Given my previous knowledge of Christopher Columbus, I was very surprised after I read his
letters. From what I recalled from high school, I thought I had a pretty good idea of how Columbus might
have felt about his discoveries. This was not the case at all. I was sure that since Columbus is credited
with discovering the Americas, he would have had a high level of self-esteem and a felt great sense of
accomplishment. To my surprise, I learned this is far from the truth. At first Columbus was, as I would
have expected, very excited and happy with his discoveries, but I was surprised and enlightened to find
out that this was not his state of mind at the end of his life. As I read on, I began to understand his
feelings; he was not at all pleased with the way the lands were being affected. Natural resources and the
inhabitants were being abused and suffering because of outside influences, and Columbus felt that he
was to blame for the plight of all concerned. Even though he had no direct hand in the way Spain and
the other European countries overtook these lands he discovered, he felt a sense of guilt for having
opened the door for the abuse. After I began to see things from Columbus’ point of view, I began to
understand how he must have felt. He dedicated his life to the pursuit of discovering foreign lands to
glorify his king and queen, and in the end he was somewhat betrayed by them in that he did not get the
support he was promised. Given this, I was really no longer surprised that Columbus was disenchanted.
Ultimately, reading Columbus’s letters changed how I think about him. At one time, I could have been
envious of him, but after reading his letters, I almost feel pity for him. Next Columbus Day, I am sure I
will stop and think about the significance of this federal holiday and wonder what Columbus would
actually think about the notion of a day dedicated to him commemorating what became a painful
memory in his life.