Guidelines for Peer Review

Longer Argument, Essay #3

Essay written by: _______________________________________

Peer review completed by: ________________________________

For the Author: Print out a copy of this page for your peer reviewer to complete and attach this sheet with your peer reviewer's comments to your rough draft when you hand in your paper.

For the Peer Reviewer: Following the questions on this sheet, write your advice for revisions of your classmate's paper. These questions are guidelines only--you need not be limited to them. Remember, too, to notice what works in the essay!

1. Does the essay have an engaging title, one that makes the reader want to continue?
   
   
   
2. Does the beginning of the essay grab the reader's attention? Will it pass the "coffee table" test? If so, how? If not, what can you suggest for a stronger opening?
   
   
   
3. Is the writer's main idea clear? Can you identify the author's thesis? If so, restate it here; if not, say so!
   
   
   
4. What evidence does the author offer to support the thesis? Is that evidence adequate?
   
   
   
5. If the author quotes from other sources, are the quotations incorporated smoothly into the essay, using "lead-ins" to the quotations and following quotations with analysis? Are quotations correctly formatted ("in-text" or block)? Has the author made sure not to begin or end a paragraph with a quotation?
   
   
   
6. Does the author use a variety of types of sources (not just essays from the text)? Are parenthetical reference citations completed correctly? Is the Words Cited correctly formatted?
   
   
   
7. Is the essay organized effectively? If not, how could the organization be improved?
   
   
   
8. Does the author consider the viewpoints of those who might not agree and respond to that audience?
   
   
   
9. Is everything included in the essay related to the topic? If any parts seem unrelated, have you noted those for the author? Comment on any parts of the essay that don't seem essential to the argument here.
   
   
   
10. Is the end/conclusion of the essay effective? (Remember, writing toward the thesis can be an effective technique.)
    
    
    
11. What are the strengths of the essay?
    
    
    

 

Last updated 11/15/00