3.4 The Prompt Response Template
In this section, we will take a detailed tour of the Prompt Response Template that you will be using during the entire semester. A Prompt Response Template is a structured framework that is used to guide your response to a specific academic or analytical prompt. It is a written checklist or frame that helps you stay focused, organized, and critically engaged with a text or question. It is especially useful when you are asked to analyze or respond to a reading, an article, a film, a speech or an argument.
You will initially focus on understanding the P.R.T. (Prompt Response Template) to help you focus on the following tasks:
- Identifying the source,
- Identifying the author,
- Identifying the Thesis Statement presented by the author of the text, and
- Identifying the statements used by the author in support of his thesis.
These elements will help you as you begin to plan or shape an Academic response to a prompt that has been brought before you for consideration.
Let’s engage in an initial breakdown of what your P.R.T. includes:
Identification of the Source
- What are you responding to?
- Include the title of the text, the type of source (e.g., article, essay, speech), and where it was published.
Identification of the Author
- Who wrote it?
- Mention the author’s name and, if relevant, their background or perspective that might influence the text.
Thesis Statement of the Text
- What is the author’s main argument or purpose?
- Summarize the central claim or message the author is trying to convey.
Supporting Statements
- How does the author support their thesis?
- Identify and summarize the key points, evidence, and rhetorical strategies used by the author to build his argument. (The summary of the Author’s Prompt)
The Prompt Response Template
Download a copy of the prompt response writing template in MS Word (45.9 KB) or PDF (75.5 KB).
Paragraph 1: Introduction
In the editorial/article titled “_____________ that appears in _____________ (publication/source) on _____________ (day/month/year), the author _____________ argues that _______________ (summarize author’s central thesis). To support this thesis, the author presents the following key points: The author is ☐ right ☐ partially right ☐ wrong, because _____________ (state your overall judgment or thesis about the argument).
Paragraph 2: First Supporting Argument and Analysis
The author’s first main argument is that _____________ (summarize argument). This argument is weakened by the fallacy of ☐ hasty generalization ☐ appeal to emotion ☐ anecdotal evidence ☐ other: _____________, because _____________ (explain why the argument lacks fairness, accuracy, clarity, etc.). Additionally, the author fails to consider _____________ (mention a missing perspective or critical point).
Paragraph 3: Second Supporting Argument and Analysis
The second argument the author presents is that _____________. This reasoning reflects the fallacy of ☐ false cause ☐ slippery slope ☐ stereotyping ☐ other: _____________, which undermines its logical strength. The argument lacks ☐ relevance ☐ depth ☐ breadth, because _____________ (critique the evidence, assumptions, or logic).
Paragraph 4: Third Supporting Argument and Analysis
Finally, the author claims that _____________. This argument contains the fallacy of ☐ ad hominem ☐ false dilemma ☐ red herring ☐ other: _____________. Rather than focusing on _____________. This undermines the ☐ fairness ☐ logic ☐ objectivity of the position, and ignores the fact that _____________ (provide a counterpoint or overlooked dimension).
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
To conclude, the author’s arguments suffer from several critical thinking fallacies, including _____________, and _____________ (list fallacies discussed). These weaken the overall effectiveness of the text. Although the topic deserves thoughtful discussion, the author’s position should be ☐ rejected ☐ accepted ☐ revised, because _____________ (summarize your final academic reason).
