Writer’s Name:
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Peer Editor’s Name: _____________________________________
Independent Character Trait ¶
PEER Checklist #:
Directions:
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Fill in the heading above, using first and last names; include the peer checklist # on the space above. Then, in Google
Docs, share documents with a classmate, giving your classmate “Can Comment,” NOT “Can Edit” privileges. Read over your peer’s
paragraph, checking it one standard at a time to see that the paragraph meets each standard on the checklist below. USE PENCIL to
neatly write a  next to any writing standard you believe your peer has met perfectly; write an X next to any standard your peer hasn’t
met perfectly, even if your peer’s writing is almost correct.
REQUIRED: Write your peer at least 3 specific constructive comments on his or her document in Google Docs. If
you can’t give advice for improvement, then state in specific terms what you think are the THREE best aspects of your peer’s
writing. Your job is not simply to point out mistakes; it’s to help your peer improve his or her paragraph. If you point out a
weakness, advise your peer on how to strengthen it. Be respectful; be positive; and edit carefully. If your peer can improve
something, your job as peer editor is to make your peer aware of this.
PEER Checklist
Standards
Met
Expectations
Topic Sentence…
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presents an main idea that seems true and that relates to supporting details….
states the title (properly punctuated) & author (capitalized) of the book…….
names the main idea: the single character whom your peer is describing and
the single best character trait for the character that shows a core part of the
character’s personality, not a temporary reaction or mood; it’s a precise
adjective (not nice, mean, good, etc.); not a noun (leader, hippie, bully, hero,
etc.); not slang (awesome, etc.)………………………………………………..
has a “focus” that mentions, in general terms, the quote scene……………..
is 1 sentence in length………………………..………………………………..
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Supporting Details…
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are accurate and specific, identifying “unknowns” (Try to use appositives
to identify “unknowns”: Ex: Cap, a hippie from a commune, plans a dance.)..
as a whole, prove the character trait / main idea from the topic sentence……..
follow a logical order / sequence (that makes sense, usually time order).…...
use the SEE method, in order; S = 5- lines; Ev. = 4- lines; Exp. = 5-7 lines.
Sum: efficiently tell readers unfamiliar with book all they need to know but
nothing else, in time order, giving facts + action (plot), not meaning………
Ev: provide 1 “showing” quote that fully reveals an important, interesting,
core part of the character’s personality / identity...............................................
o BEFORE the quote, put a tag that tells who said the quote, to whom,
and when / at what moment, without giving away the quote itself.....
Exp: thoughtful, convincing explanation, with inferences + interpretation
that clearly show HOW evidence proves the main idea (character trait);
provide opinions + meaning of evidence; discuss motivation for quote;
don’t add plot (facts) / speculation / real-world observations / morals.......
(over)
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Insight Statement…
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includes, in 1 sentence, the proper format: 1. conclusive transition:
ultimately, so, essentially, basically, generally, not “in conclusion”; 2. brief
text reference (quote scene); 3. “springboard”: illustrates, demonstrates,
reveals, indicates, suggests, implies, not “shows”; 4. real-world insight
(wise thought) that says something deep about life or human nature and is
directly related to the rest of the paragraph……………………………………
is not a cliché (Don’t judge a book by its cover; There’s no “I” in team; etc.).
does not offer advice / a moral (you should / shouldn’t; do / don’t; etc.)……..
uses a “softener”; is not written as an unrealistic absolute (always / never)…..
expresses a deep, original, thoughtful idea that is thought-provoking………...
connects to a universal idea, one that will apply to the lives of most or all
readers, not just a small group of readers (Ex: those who live on communes)..
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Language…
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is clear and easy to read; wording “flows” from one sentence to the next……
uses objective tone (no I, you, this quote, etc.) and is formal, not casual……
is varied, not repetitive (does not repeat words or sentence beginnings: Then
Cap goes… Then Cap believes… Then Cap tries…; etc.)…….……………..
includes proper spelling, punctuation, capitalization, & grammar……………
o Title is properly capitalized and is italicized or underlined (not both).
o Names of characters and places are properly capitalized.
o Writer does not use parentheses. Ex: Joey (Bob’s brother) studied.
o Quotes include proper use of punctuation and are copied word-forword from the book, including a “tag.” (See Using Quotes.)
includes interesting and sophisticated vocabulary / wording……………….....
includes transitions, as needed, to create flow from sentence to sentence…….
uses appositives to identify “unknowns” for a reader unfamiliar with the text.
uses present tense verbs when possible (reveals, not revealed; is, not was)…..
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Formatting:
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HW Heading (name, date, class, assignment) touches the side & top margins.
There is one blank line between the HW heading and the paragraph…………
Paragraph is indented ONCE (with 1 tab stroke).……………………………..
Margins are standard (1” on top & bottom; 1” or 1.25” on sides)…………….
Lines are 1.5-spaced (Word: Command + A; Command + 1.5; or Docs:
Command + A; More > 1.5)……………………………...…………………....
Font size is 12-pt.……………………………………………………………...
Font style is straightforward, formal, and easy to read (Times, Gill Sans,
etc.).
Paragraph is roughly 14 – 20 lines and is not more than 1 side of a page…….
Text coloring: Topic Sentence; Ev: Tag + Quote; Insight Statement…...
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