English

CURRENTPeerReviewWorksheet.docx

Peer Editor: ________________________ Author of Essay: _____________________

I. TITLE – Evaluate the title of the essay.

1. Write down the title of the essay. If the essay does not have a title, make a note of it so that the author can add one before turning in the essay.

1. Is the title interesting?

2. Is it a mere repetition of the title of the assignment (e.g., This I Believe Essay, Profile Essay, Film Essay, or Waiting for Superman Essay)

II. INTRODUCTION – Evaluate the author’s introductory paragraph.

1. What techniques does the author use to catch the reader’s attention (e.g., a question, a shocking statement, a quotation)?

2. Find the author’s thesis statement and write it down. If the author doesn’t have a thesis statement, make a note of it so that he/she can change it.

3. Does the introduction capture your interest? If not, why? Note: Your answer should not be merely “yes” or “no.” You should explain your answer.

III. What could the author do to improve this aspect of the essay? Note: “Nothing” is not an appropriate answer to this question.

IV. BODY PARAGRAPHS – Evaluate each body/support paragraph.

1. Evaluate the first body paragraph.

· Find the author’s topic sentence and write it down. If the author does not have a clear topic sentence, make a note of this so that he/she can add one before turning in the final draft.

· Does the topic sentence clearly relate to the thesis statement set forth in the introduction? Note: Your answer should not be merely “yes” or “no.” You should explain your answer.

· Does the rest of the paragraph support the topic sentence? Note: Your answer should not be merely “yes” or “no.” You should explain your answer.

· Does the paragraph stay on topic, or does the writer introduce ideas that are unrelated to the topic sentence? Note: Your answer should not be merely “yes” or “no.” You should explain your answer.

· Where might the writer add details and examples? Write down (at least) one assertion/point of discussion that could use more support.

2. Evaluate the second body paragraph.

· Find the author’s topic sentence and write it down. If the author does not have a clear topic sentence, make a note of this so that he/she can add one before turning in the final draft.

· Does the topic sentence clearly relate to the thesis statement set forth in the introduction? Note: Your answer should not be merely “yes” or “no.” You should explain your answer.

· Does the rest of the paragraph support the topic sentence? Note: Your answer should not be merely “yes” or “no.” You should explain your answer.

· Where might the writer add details and examples? Write down (at least) one assertion/point of discussion that could use more support.

3. Evaluate the third body paragraph.

· Find the author’s topic sentence and write it down. If the author does not have a clear topic sentence, make a note of this so that he/she can add one before turning in the final draft.

· Does the topic sentence clearly relate to the thesis statement set forth in the introduction? Note: Your answer should not be merely “yes” or “no.” You should explain your answer.

· Does the rest of the paragraph support the topic sentence? Note: Your answer should not be merely “yes” or “no.” You should explain your answer.

· Where might the writer add details and examples? Write down (at least) one assertion/point of discussion that could use more support.

4. Repeat the procedure outlined above for each additional body paragraph.

V. CONCLUSION – Evaluate the conclusion.

1. Does the conclusion adequately reinforce/summarize the key elements of the essay? Note: Your answer should not be merely “yes” or “no.” You should explain your answer.

2. Does the conclusion clearly relate to the thesis and the topic sentences?

3. Does the author introduce new points of discussion that are not mentioned previously in the essay? If so, make a note of this so that the author can correct this later.

4. Does the author begin the conclusion with an over-used phrase, such as “In conclusion” or “Last but not least”? If so, make a note of this so that the author can correct this aspect of his/her essay.

VI. FORMATTING – Is the essay formatted according to MLA guidelines?

1. Spacing

· Is the essay double-spaced throughout?

· Are there extra spaces above or below the title of the essay or between paragraphs? If so, make a note of this so that the author can go back and correct this later.

2. Heading

· Is there an appropriate heading at the top of the first page?

· Make sure that the heading appears only on the first page.

· Make sure that the heading is exactly 1” from the top of the page.

· Make sure that the entries in the heading are in the correct order:

Author’s Name

Instructor’s Name

Name of Course

Date (in military format – e.g., 12 Feb. 2012)

3. Title

· Is the title written in a 12 point font?

· The title should not be underlined, bolded, or italicized. If it is, make a note of this so that the author can go back and correct this later.

4. Page Numbering

· Do the author’s last name and the page number appear in the top right corner of every page? If not, make a note of this so that the author can go back and correct this later.

· Are the author’s last name and the page number exactly ½” from the top of the page. If not, make a note of this so that the author can go back and correct this later.

VII. GRAMMAR & USAGE

1. Does the writer use second person pronouns (i.e., you, your, etc.)? Highlight these pronouns so that the writer can go back and remove them later.

2. Does the writer use contractions (i.e., isn’t, doesn’t, can’t)? Highlight these contractions so that the writer can go back and remove them later.

3. Going through the essay one paragraph at a time, note any sentences or words you do not understand or have a hard time reading.

4. Note any problems with punctuation.

5. Highlight any clichés so that the writer can remove them.

6. Highlight any slang so that the writer can remove these words/phrases later.

VIII. List five (5) things that the author can do to improve his/her essay. Note: “Nothing” is not an appropriate answer to this or any of the other questions.