Online Peer Review Instructions

Your goal is simple: answer the questions from the Peer Review (see below) for each of the people in your group.

Follow the instructions below

By Friday 11/11

  1. Copy and paste (again, copy and paste -- no attachments) your essay to me and to the students in your "box." In the subject box write "Essay 3 for peer review." I will not comment on this draft -- but your classmates will.

By Monday 11/14

  1. Complete a peer review (see below for questions) for the essays you've received and copy and paste it back to the student -- and . . . to me.

151-29 Listing

Robert Anderson, Kelly Barone, Kevin Boyle Austin Deane, Shannon Golden, Kelly Graham
Alyshia, Kyle, Michelle LeFaucheur, Meghan McCombs, Sean Templeton Steven Meyer, Brianna Parrish, Caitlin Rillo
Justin Rodman, Franklyn Rodriguez, Christopher Sypniewski  

151-40 Listing

Oleksandra Barnovska, Michael Carlson, Alexis Cromlish, Deborah Welby Brian Fischer, Cody Hoschek, Krystal Lasko
Johnson Oguntade, Camden Ostrander, Lennise Otero-Basden Dominic Petrocelli, Anthony Pruchnik, Heather Reid, Jenna Scialabba
Hannah Scheulfer, Thomas Schulte, James Schwartz  

Peer Review for Essay #3 (Argumentative)

Remember that you goal isn't to answer "yes" to every question: it's to make suggestions. Try using "Consider ____" or "Try ______" to preface your comments.

  1. Introduction
    1. What changes could be made to help the intro grab your attention?
    2. Does it provide enough background information to set up the issue? Do you understand what will be evaluated? Should two or more paragraphs needed to provide more information?
    3. Is the background material cited?
  2. Thesis: copy out what you think is the thesis and division statement.
    1. Comment on its clarity
    2. can you tell the position of the writer?
    3. Are the divisions really distinct and separate, or could two of them be combined into one?
  3. For each paragraph complete the following:
    1. Topic Sentences
      · Does the topic sentence set up an argument based on the divisions?
      · Is there a focus word which connects back to the division in the first sentence (or so)?
    2. Evidence/Details
      · Where can more specific information from the readings to connect the division to the civic stance be included?
    3. Explanation
      · The #1 item that usually needs work is the explanation: where can a more specific explanation on why ____ (topic of paragraph) helps or hurts America be added?
      · What kind of argumentative language is used to explain the logic behind the argument? Do they use any of the following:

      The problem with ___ is that _____.
      This ______ helps/hurts society/America/people because __________
      The advantage/s/disadvantage/s of ________ is/are _______.
      If ___ continues, then ____.

      Where could they include such language?
      · Where can more explanations – analogies to other events, reference to economic, social, political, moral arguments, etc. (see I&C 73) – be included? Remember that it is the explanation, not the evidence, that shows your reasoning.
      · Ask yourself "How does this division prove the argument in the essay?" or "Why is this division important to the thesis?"

  4. Counterargument and Rebuttal
    · Could these be worked more smoothly into the essay?
    · Does it need to be treated separately at the end, or could it be included in more detail throughout essay?
    · Is the counter argument a specific argument or is it general?
    · Is it cited?
  5. Conclusion
    Avoid merely repeating the thesis.
    · Does the writer refer back to the introduction?
    · Does the writer address the question "What's it all mean?"?