Analysis of Texts
Peer Evaluation
Read your partner's essay carefully so that you can give them some constructive
criticism. As well as pointing out any mistakes you notice (spelling, grammar,
punctuation, layout, etc), use the following questions to make helpful suggestions for
improvement. Mark these on the essay and then explain each point to your partner.
1.) Is the introduction clear and to the point? If not, mark anything that is not clear or
useful (waffle) in the first paragraph.
2.) Is the thesis or main argument of the essay clearly stated in the introduction? What
is it?
3.) Does each paragraph have a topic sentence stating the main idea? Is this idea then
clearly developed in the paragraph?
4.) Do any of the paragraphs seems either too short and undeveloped or too long and
“busy”?
5.) Does the main focus or idea of each paragraph clearly function to prove or
demonstrate the thesis?
6.) Is each paragraph structured around a quotation or other textual evidence?
7.) Are the quotations all analyzed and discussed, or are they simply dropped into the
text as if they spoke for themselves?
8.) Does there seem to be a logical order to the paragraphs? Is this clearly marked by
signpost or transition words? Is there a clear argument in the essay?
9.) Does the conclusion recapitulate the main argument and movement of the essay
without being repetitive and mechanical?
10.) What does this writer need to work on most in order to become more effective?
Having a thesis? Organization? Choosing evidence? Discussing the quotes?
Language? Is there something about the writing that seems consistently unclear or
awkward? Sentences are ungrammatical or awkward? Are the words chosen often
strange and confusing rather than precise and clear? Give examples or underline in the
essay.
Agnieszka Soltysik
Revised by Sangam MacDuff
1