Poetry Paper
Peer Review
Instructor: G. Ladinsky
Student Editor’s Name:_______________________
Student Author’s Name:__________________________
Check off that the following are present:
a. MLA Heading:___
b. Paper:__ Number of pages: __
c. All work is typed:__
Read this entire handout before you begin.
1. As you exchange papers, ask the writer if there are any particular concerns (s)/he wants you to
check for. If there are, respond to them here after reading.
2. Begin by reading the entire essay quickly. Then slowly read through the paper a second time.
Jot down your overall impressions here:
3. What is the thesis/claim? Write it here:
4. Does the thesis successfully present an argument that is supported throughout the essay? Use
support by pulling a quote or two or paraphrase to demonstrate this. If an argument is not
supported, see the next prompt .
5. If the argument is not supported, write down where the essay goes off the topic. For example,
cite specific paragraphs or areas of the paper that do not support the essays’ major premise. On
the other hand, if a focused argument is not presented in the introduction, write that here as well.
6. Did the student state the first and last names of the author(s) as well as the complete title of
the poem being analyzed in the introduction?
7. Is the explication focused? Does it unravel the entire poem in a way that exposes the “inner
meanings” of it in a way that supports the argument being presented?
8. Is the use of language wells stated? If you see sentence or grammar errors, state them here.
9. Did you find the paper interesting? Did you learn a new perspective of the poem being
examined?
10. If you have any final comments that were not already addressed, please state them here.