English 102

Leek

Based on BL

Peer Response Guidelines for Synthesis Paper

Directions: 3-4 students will work together in a group. Students will work in 10-minute rounds, and each student will read/review each paper. Writers should never end up with their own paper, so modification might be necessary. For instance, if a group has 3 people, for round 4 pass papers to the left twice.

Round 1: Pass papers to the left. Students critique papers according to the first responsibility outlined below.

Round 2: Pass papers to the left. Students critique papers according to the second responsibility outlined below.

Round 3: Pass papers to the left. Students critique papers according to the third responsibility outlined below.

Round 4: Pass papers to the left. Students critique papers according to the fourth responsibility outlined below.

Round 5: Pass papers to the left/to their writers. Students should possess their own papers again. Read through the comments and ask group-mates for clarifications of comments.

Responsibilities:

Round 1. Read the whole paper carefully. For your feedback, focus your attention on the writer’s topic and thesis statement.

  • Is there an explicit, clearly written thesis statement at the end of the introduction?
  • Does the thesis make a claim about how Rice wrote her vampire story in comparison to how Stoker wrote his?
  • Does the thesis name the literary element(s) to be discussed?
  • Through the body of the paper, does the author convince you of the similarities/differences by using textual evidence?
  • Should the author use more evidence?
  • Does the paper make an assertion about why Rice made the choices she did?
  • Does the paper evaluate Rice’s choice?

 In the margins of the paper, make comments about how clearly the writer has articulated his/her thesis and ideas. Then, at the end of the paper (or on the back), write a brief summary of your recommendations for how to improve this paper in this regard. Sign your name at the bottom of your comments so I can track your responses.

Round 2. Read the whole paper carefully. For your feedback, focus your attention on the writer’s introduction, organization, and conclusion.

  • Are there actual introductory and concluding paragraphs?
  • Did the introduction intrigue you?
  • Did the conclusion leave you with a sense of satisfaction?
  • Is the paper organized in a way that makes sense?
  • Does each of the body paragraphs have one major topic or idea?
  • Are the ideas in the body paragraphs clearly connected to the thesis statement?
  • Do the body paragraphs show evidence of the PIE format?

 In the margins of the paper, make comments about how clearly the writer has organized and structured the paper into paragraph divisions. Then, at the end of the paper (or on the back), write a brief summary of your recommendations for how to improve this paper in this regard. Sign your name at the bottom of your comments so I can track your responses.

Round 3. Read the whole paper carefully. For your feedback, focus your attention on the writer’s comparison, contrast, and analysis.

  • Has she/he avoided too much summary?
  • Has she/he stayed focused on the literary element(s) named in the thesis?
  • Has she/he focused only on selected moments from the text that demonstrate the similarity/difference?
  • Has she/he used specific/convincing detail from the text?
  • Has the writer used MLA format correctly?
  • Are all quotations introduced? Are there any floating quotations the writer needs to correct?

 In the margins of the paper, make comments about what the writer has done well or what she/he could do to improve the comparison/contrast and analysis of the literary element(s) in these texts. Then, at the end of the paper (or on the back), write a brief summary of your recommendations for how to improve this paper in this regard. Sign your name at the bottom of your comments so I can track your responses.

Round 4. Read the whole paper carefully. For your feedback, focus your attention on the writer’s use of grammar, diction (vocabulary choice and form), punctuation, and style.

 Wherever appropriate, provide suggestions on how to improve the presentation of the essay. Then, at the end of the paper (or on the back), write a brief summary of your recommendations for how to improve this paper in this regard. Sign your name at the bottom of your comments so I can track your responses.