Overview: A critical response paper is, essentially, a literary analysis in which the writer offers a critical reading/interpretation, or “response,” to a text. A critical reading or response differs from a personal reading or response in a few key ways:

1.The use of first person is limited. In the case of this paper, it is absolutely forbidden.
2.The writer does not base his / her argument in personal feelings or reactions to the text, nor does he / she use personal experience to make claims or arguments in the paper.

A critical response paper is based on a specific interpretation or argument about a text and, for the purposes of this paper, defends and supports that interpretation by using examples from the text. There are various types of textual examples that can, and should, be used for this paper:

1.Specific passages that illustrate an aspect of the interpretation. In other words, a paragraph can examine a part of the interpretation by engaging in a line by line breakdown or reading of a passage that the writer feels is key to supporting the interpretation.
2.Specific events or actions in the text that again illustrate an aspect or part of the interpretation or argument being made.
3.Character examinations. Looking closely at a character who is tied to the interpretation and examining their behaviors, values, or personality may be another way to support the interpretation being offered.