Students,
As you are reviewing each other’s essays, keep in mind the general Peer Review guidelines a
well as good practices while peer reviewing. In addition, when making comments, pay close
attention to the following:
In each section:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Is the language clear?
Is there too much repetition? Words/phrases that can be cut without losing meaning?
Are there run-on sentences and unclear phrases?
Is the word choice correct, or are there words that need to be replaced?
Does the author use academic, primarily neutral, clear language tailored to the
audience?
6) Is there “water”, passages that don’t serve the argument, or too much explanation where
argumentation should be?
7) Does the essay use sources in conversation?
8) Are 3 or more sources used effectively?
In the introduction:
1) Does the introduction grab your attention? Is there an attention grabber?
2) Can you clearly identify the thesis?
3) Does the author provide clear context for the thesis?
4) Are all terms in the thesis defined in the intro?
5) Is there an overview of the problem/topic being considered?
In the body paragraph (supporting):
1) Does the topic sentence (first/second) clearly state the focus of the paragraph?
2) Is the paragraph an argument in support of the thesis?
3) Does the paragraph follow paragraph structure: topic sentence; evidence; analysis; link
back to thesis?
4) Is there evidence for every claim presented?
5) Are the quotes and evidence analyzed and synthesized?
6) Any orphaned quotes or paraphrases?
7) Does the paragraph end with a link back to the thesis?
8) Do you feel the author proved this point well with the evidence provided?
9) Are there confusing passages/unclear ideas/unproven claims?
In the body paragraphs (counterclaim + response):
1) Does the author clearly signal a counterclaim (see TSIS templates)?
2) Is the counterclaim well stated?
3) Is it a significant and obvious counterclaim (as in, one that would easily come to mind
when reading the thesis?)
4) Does the author respond to the counterclaim? Is this response clearly signaled?
5) Does the response contest/offer a partial or full concession to the counterclaim?
6) Is there evidence provided for the response?
7) Does the response tie back to the thesis at the end of the paragraph?
In the conclusion:
1) Does the author avoid excessive summarizing?
2) Does the author consider the ‘So What’? Question?
3) Are there places where the paper is going off topic?
Finally, after you consider all of these questions (and any others that arise), write a paragraph
(5-7 sentences) at the end of the essay exploring the following:
If you were revising this essay, what would be the first thing you would focus on? What do you
think is essential for the author to fix? What were some questions you still had after reading the
essay? Were there important arguments missing or not mentioned? Did the counterclaim work
well and did the author respond to it convincingly? Were there any other sources that the author
might’ve used? Generally, offer your take-away as a reader to the author here.