Although your writing does not have to be "formal," it should be clear and you
should proofread for grammar, typos, and spelling.  Section leaders will point
out writing problems so that you can get help if necessary. Think of these
responses as training exercises for your graded papers; the more thought you
put into processing the week's assignment now, the easier it will be to
write a good paper.

If you have to miss a section because of illness or other emergency, be
sure to hand in your reading response as soon as possible and preferably by the next
lecture.  (You should let your section leader know as soon as you can if you
must miss a section meeting.)  If you miss more than one section, you should
submit a 3-5 page formal reading analysis for the missed sessions.

Suggested content:

1.    First, be sure that you have a sense of the main point, argument, or
interpretation of each reading for the week.  Your response should refer to
these main points, as well as to your responses to them, whether critical,
questioning, or affirming.  Briefly mention these points and your responses to
them.

2. Try to see any patterns that emerge from the readings, and note these as
well.

3. What connections do you see between lectures, readings, and any films for
this week?

4.  What questions do you want to discuss in section this week? What do you
want to hear from others about their reading of the assignments, and what do
you want to offer?

5.  If you have strong personal responses to the readings, you can include
them, but not at the expense of answering the first four points above.