You are asked to write a “reaction paper” for each book and documentary you watch for class. These are informal reactions to what you learned, what you enjoyed, what you didn’t enjoy, what it reminded you of, any connections you made, personal experiences you’ve had with that topic, etc. You can follow the JML (John Muir Laws) format of “I noticed… I wonder… It reminds me of,” if that is a helpful reminder of what to write. Your papers should be typed single-spaced and a minimum of half a page. The purpose of these papers is to help us, as mentors, see how you are interacting with the material and making connections. But the papers are also for YOU as a record of the things you are learning, what you are experiencing, and a way to chart your journey through the study of ecology and botany.
The following is an example of a reaction paper to the book Buzz: The Nature and Necessity of Bees by Thor Hansen. Please notice the heading on the top left hand corner (name, date, class), the centered title with the author attribution, and the bulk of the paper. Although this isn’t an essay or a piece of formal writing, we do expect you to use correct grammar and punctuation, complete sentences, and have a coherent stream of thought. Summary of the book/documentary is important, but the more important part of this paper is your REACTION to the content.
Let us know if you have any questions. If you are stressed out about the Reaction Papers, you are probably over thinking it. But if you are still having a hard time coming up with what to write, we can come up with writing prompts and other strategies to help you get some words down on paper.