Giving some feedback

Initial Checklist

Does the PSE you are peer reviewing have:

· An MLA Header (Left) and Name/Page Number (Right)

· A specific title

· Introduction with hook, background info, and thesis

· Arguable thesis statement with a broad claim that is the main focus of the paper

· Body paragraphs with a mini claim (topic sentence), evidence (paraphrase or quotations), interpretation, and connections to other points or the thesis as a whole

· Proper MLA formatting (Works cited and document arrangement)

· At Least four pages of text

Peer Review Questions

Read the first paragraph. STOP. Are you interested in continuing to read, explain briefly why or why not? In your own words, state what you think this essay will discuss. What was the biggest hook (draw in) or part that put you off?

1. Is the overall argument of the paper made clearly? Ways to evaluate this: Can you tell what the author’s conclusion is? Can the other side be argued? Is it clear which side the author is taking? Are there any points at which you get lost (if there are be sure to say where and why)?

2. Do the mini claims/focus of the body paragraphs tie back to the thesis statement? Do they support the thesis statement? Are the connections clear or could they be explained more concretely? (Try to offer suggestions to fix any issues you see)

3. What is the single strongest feature of the essay? Why?

4. What unanswered questions remain in your mind when you've finished the essay?

5. For the moment accept the writer's point of view. Try to extend the essay's argument by providing additional examples and by suggesting questions that might provoke further thought.

6. Have they begun to integrate their source material yet? If no you may skip this section. Is the references/works cited page formatted properly? Do they have AT LEAST four sources (two primary, two secondary)? Do they begin or end a paragraph with a quote?

7. Place yourself in the role of instructor. What would you advise the other student to work on? What areas are the strongest and what areas require the most work? What are your overall thoughts on the argument as a whole?

8. Would you advise your partner to either do some heavy proofreading or visit the writing center for grammar, punctuation, and formatting?

Thesis Statement Focus

What is the thesis statement of the paper? Is it a what form does the claim take in this thesis?

Break apart the claim and the reasons. Is there a more active way to arrange or word the claim and or reasons?

Does the thesis statement direct the flow of the paper? If their thesis is focused on X, do the paragraphs and does the evidence reflect what is mentioned in the thesis and do they tie each piece back?

Does the paper flow well from point to point, theme to theme, article to article? Can you see evidence of transition words, phrases, and sentences working to direct the flow of the paper and the reader’s attention? If you see your partner struggling with this, offer some suggestions of phrases and give examples of where you would use them.