Response Text (Review)

What is a response?

We all have opinions about texts. Think of all the books you have read. Some of these books you would have liked and others you would have hated. The same with television shows. How do you feel about ‘Neighbours’, ‘Home and Away’, ‘X Files’, ‘Beverly Hills 90210’, ‘Seinfeld’, ‘The Simpsons’, ‘Married with Children’, and ‘The Nanny’? When you express your opinion about a text you are giving a response.

A response is a text that gives a person’s response or reaction to another text (a book, film, play, poem, and so on) by providing a description of the work and a judgement.

Features of a response

Constructing a response

The steps for constructing a response are:

• a paragraph that introduces the text being judged –this should contain information on the title of the text, the name of the person who constructed it (the author/artist), when it was constructed and a brief summary of the work
• a description of the text that gives details about the orientation, complication, sequences of events and resolution –this step may include other features of the text.
• a judgement of the text that includes your opinions and maybe some recommendations.

Language features in a response

The language features usually found in a response are:

• words that express judegements and the writer’s attitudes (modality)
• the use of the present tense
• descriptive words.

Models of response

Toy Story

Toy Story is one of Disney’s popular films that uses amazing computer graphics to tell the story of a young boy, Andy, and his roomful of great toys that come to life.

The plot centres on Andy’s toys, including Mr. Potato Head and his favourite. Woody, who have their lives disturbed with the arrival of Buzz Lightyear, a karate-chopping, flying spaceman. Tom Hanks provides the voice of Woody while Tim Allen is the voice of Buzz. Computer animation is by John Lasseter, known for his complex pixel animation techniques. The film is now available on video, is rated G, runs for 78 minutes and sells for $24.95.

Toy Story is more than just amazing computer-generated special effects. There is plenty of fun for both younger viewer and adults. All the family will enjoy this one.

Source: Anderson, Mark and Kathy Anderson. 2003. Text Types in English 2. South Yarra: Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd.