Research Paper Peer Review Worksheet

Piano 1102

This peer review is two pronged: first, it asks you to write down what the strengths and weaknesses are of your current draft. Then, I’d like you to share this information with your peer reviewer. After you’ve done this, give your draft to the peer reviewer along with your assessment of your weaknesses/strengths written down and have her answer the following questions. You can open a file and then send the file to the peer reviewer via email.

  1. Is their a thesis in the draft, and if so does it seem like it will lead to a focused and well-supported essay? What can the writer do to make it a more effective or better articulated thesis?
  1. Does the introduction accurately hint at the main content of the paper? Does the intro provide a connection to Microserfs? Does it provide enough information about the topic it is pursuing?
  1. How would you characterize the use of sources and quotations/paraphrasing in the paper? Not enough quotes? Too many? Not properly documented? Not analyzed enough? Too few sources used?
  1. Look at the draft for organization of ideas. Check to see if the writer has organized paragraphs around main ideas rather than relying on sources to write the paper for him. If the sources begin a paragraph, make sure the writer has introduced the source with a leading sentence that contextualizes it.
  1. Has the writer provided enough supporting ideas (including specific illustrations and examples) to convince you that his/her thesis is a valid one? Note where points need further development on the part of the writer. Are there too many ideas or points being made so that there is not a coherent idea being presented throughout the essay?
  1. Check any places in the draft where the writer has either neglected to document source material or has used incorrect (unconventional) documentation format.
  1. List below at least two specific aspects of the paper that you think work well in the paper (e.g., a phrase you like, a good example, et cetera) and at least two specific things (which you have not already mentioned above) that could use more work before the essay is submitted as a final draft (e.g., stronger examples, better sources, a more focused thesis). Don't just say good examples"--tell the writer which ones you think are good and why.