Make a Point/Function Outline of Your Paper, Like We Did for the Re-Write Workshop Day

McMullen

Peer Review Prep:

Make a point/function outline of your paper, like we did for the re-write workshop day.

Circle your thesis.

Trade papers and outlines.

Peer Review:

1. Does the writer begin with Fahrenheit 451 and make a connection to American society in the introduction?
2. Find the thesis. Is it an arguable claim (can someone disagree with it)? Is it novel? Does it tell you something you did not already know? Does it make clear what the author is adding to the conversation? Does it have or need tension? If you answered no to all these questions, tell them to re-write the thesis.

3. In their thesis or introduction, do they forecast what will be in the rest of the paper? If so do they follow through with the promised material or order of presentation?

4. Does each paragraph have a topic sentence—a sentence that makes a point—at the beginning that relates to the thesis? If there is no clear connection to the thesis, put a “T” (for Thesis) by it. If it doesn't make a point, then write “Point?” besides it. Does the topic sentence fit the rest of the paragraph? If not, put a “U” (for Unity) by it. If they did have a body paragraph without a clear point sentence at the beginning and it does not fulfill some other justifiable function, have them write a point sentence for the paragraph.

5. Read the sentences in each body paragraph. Does each sentence fit under the “umbrella” of the topic sentence? If not underline it and point it out to the writer.

6. Are their paragraphs coherent? Do they place old information before new?

7. Look at their Outline. Does their paper follow the outline? If not, point it out to the writer and add whether or not the outline is better organized than the paper. Evaluate the order of their paragraphs. Are all the paragraphs in a logical order? Does the writer need to add, remove, or move stuff around in order to make it work?

8. Does each point have enough particulars to support it? Where could the writer use more support and more examples (illustrations)? Are examples clearly connected to points?

9. Do they incorporate quotations correctly according to MLA standards? Do they make a “quotation sandwich” by first introducing the quotation with a signal phrase; second, inserting the quotation; and finally, interpreting it and connecting it to their point? Do they have a Work Cited page? Does the Work Cited page adhere to MLA standards?

10. Do they refute counter-argument? Do they concede counter-points to bolster ethos, yet still persuasively maintain their position? If there is no treatment of counter-argument, what possible objections or counter-examples can you think of? Write them down for your peer.

11. What, if anything, confuses you about the essay as written? Put a squiggly line under confusing or awkward phrases. If you feel comfortable doing so, suggest some ways to rewrite the sentence or phrase.

12. What part of the essay did you like best? What part impressed you the most or was the most convincing? Why?

13. On a global level, what would you change in this essay?