Urgent 4

Short Story Explication Peer Review Checklist

 

FORMATTING:

�        Check the margins (top, bottom and side). They should be 1”  Times New Roman, 12 point font, double           spaced

�        On the left side, there should be a Heading with your name, teacher’s name, class information, and           date.

�        The title of the essay should be centered but otherwise look exactly like the rest of the paper. 

�        The title should be original.  (ie. Short Story Explication cannot be your title). Is the title properly           capitalized?

�        Remove extra spaces.  NO extra spacing after the heading, before the title, or after the title before the           intro, or between paragraphs.

�        Each page should have pagination with your last name (group number spelled out for group papers) and           page number on the top right.

 

ORGANIZATION:

�        Find the thesis. Is it at the end of the introduction?  Is it ONE complete sentence?  Does it indicate the           literary element or elements that will be discussed in the paper? Does it make a strong claim?  A thesis           should be focused and argumentative.  It should not make an obvious point.

 

�        Look at the introduction. Is the story being explicated mentioned by title and author? Does it set up the           story, give a little background, and transition into a well-developed thesis?  Is it at least 4-5 complete           sentences?

 

�        Now make sure that each body paragraph development follows the purpose of the thesis.  Identify the           topic sentences for each paragraph, remembering that the topic sentence usually appears toward the           beginning of the paragraph.

 

�        Read the paper. Has the writer used quotations from the story to support his/her thesis? Are the           quotations in MLA format?  Is there an in-text citation for each quote?  Does each in-text citation include           the appropriate page number from the text in parentheses? 

            

�        Now read the conclusion. It should show how the literary element or elements discussed contribute to           the meaning of the story as a whole.  

 

 

EDITING/PROOFREADING:

�        This paper may NOT use first person pronouns (I, me, my, myself, we, our, ourselves, us) or any second           person pronouns (you, your, yourself) except in direct quotes.

 �       Is the title of the short story in quotation marks?

 � The paper should be written in present tense.

 

�        Look for any use of the same words in close proximity. This is a violation of “WT = word territory.” Words           are weakened when they are overused. Mark these!

 

�        Look for extra, unnecessary words. Help the writer cut out the fluff.

 

�        Watch for word choice. This is a FORMAL paper for an ACADEMIC audience. The language should           reflect this. (Example: “stuck up” = conceited, etc.) NO use of slang.

 

�        Highlight any use of the word “thing” (anything, everything, things, stuff, alot, a lot) in this paper other           than in direct quotes. The writer will need to change these nebulous words.

 

�        Circle any contractions (other than those in direct quotes!). Your writer will need to write these out. (Ex:           couldn’t = could not)

 

�        See if the writer has said “this means that” or “what the quote says” after a quote. Mark out these words           to edit the sentence to what it DOES say without forcing on the reader “this says that”!

 

�        Are there any run-ons, fragments, or comma splices?

�        Are commas, semi-colons, and colons used correctly?

�        Are quotations marks used correctly?

 

WORKS CITED PAGE:

�   Does the writer have the required number of sources listed on the Works Cited? (see assignment)

�    None of the author names or article titles should be in all caps.

�    Is the source clearly used in the body of the paper?  

�   Does the source have a hanging indent if more than one line?

�   Is the Works Cited page double spaced using the same font size and type as the rest of the paper?

�   Is the title, Works Cited, centered at the top of the page?

�   Does the Works Cited start on a separate page by itself?