Here is the link to the reading of which you are doing the reaction paper

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2011/06/06/110606crat_atlarge_menand

Reaction papers are intended to provide students with the opportunity to think about and respond to a text in an organized and meaningful way. The basic idea is to juxtapose the ideas and positions expressed in the text against your own. This doesn’t mean that a reaction paper should focus exclusively on those points with which you disagree. Agreeing with the text is also a valid approach.

Instructions
Closely read the article assigned for your reaction paper. Take notes on the author’s positions on the topic and any noticeable bias he seems to have. Think about the text as you read and ask yourself whether or not you agree with the author’s position, whether or not the author makes a sound case for his position, whether or not he assumes a certain level of knowledgehttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/icon1.png in the reader, if he leaves any important information out or uses suspect evidence, and what the implications of the writer’s thoughts and beliefs on the topic are. Take general notes on these and similar matters as you read, marking any passages that particularly stand out to you.

Choose five to ten pieces of evidence from the text that particularly stand out to you. Reaction papers are usually short, so limit yourself to the strongest evidence.

Include all of the basic information regarding the text. The text’s title, author and date of publication should be included. The author’s position on the subject should also be briefly described. For example, if you’re reacting to a paper or book in support of environmentalism, include a sentence or two describing that author’s specific position. Your personal reaction to the text’s contents should be left for subsequent paragraphs.

Begin evaluating the text in the second paragraph. The goal from here on is to demonstrate that you have understood the text in question and clearly establish your position using specific examples. Devote each paragraph to a specific piece of evidence or a few pieces of closely related evidence. State the author’s position, then state your own. You can agree or disagree. Refer to the notes you took while reading.

Conclude the reaction paper by summarizing your position on the text. If this paper is being written for a course with numerous readings, briefly compare and contrast the text in question with related texts from the course readings.

Edit your reaction paper for clarity and accuracy. Make sure that each paragraph relates logically to the preceding paragraph. If possible, put the paper aside for a day or two before doing so. You’re more likely to notice mistakes and omissions if you take a break before editing.

The reaction paper should be no more than one page long. Use a 12 point font and leave a one inch margin from top, bottom and sides.