SSSR Peer Evals

Read the entire essay first; then go back and complete the review. Copy this form and post your comments on the individual's blog. Then, make sure you offer the opportunity to discuss this review with them.

You must review at least five essays. You must also review your own. That's six total.
CHANGE THAT--ONLY DO THREE PLUS YOURS: FOUR TOTAL

1. How does the title of the essay convey the purpose of the essay?

Introduction
2. In what way does the "grabber" prepare the reader for the information contained in the essay?
3. Does the introduction follow the conventions of S/R essays as detailed in the format instructions? If not, indicate what is missing.
4. Does the essay have a clearly stated thesis in the introduction that previews what the writer will discuss in the response? If not, indicate with reader suggestions about what the thesis could be.

Summary
5. Does the summary paragraph restate the author and other publication information?
6. Is the summary concise and clearly written with no quotations or paraphrasing?
7. Does the summary include only the author's ideas and none of the writer's ideas?
8. If there are quotations or paraphrased material, underline what needs to be deleted from the summary.
9. List the points the writer includes in the summary.
10. Talk with the writer about what s/he left out of the summary (if anything), and the reason why the writer decided not to put that in the summary.

Response
11. Is the response directly related to the thesis?
12. How has the writer organized the response--by points from the summary or logos, ethos, and pathos?
13. In what ways does the writer use quotations and/or facts and statistics from the article to support his/her thesis?
14. Discuss with the writer how s/he could use quotations/facts more effectively.
15. Has the writer used proper citations format? If not, underline where the errors or omissions occur.
16. Are there other issues from the summary or from the article that you as a reader think the writer should include in the response? Discuss this with the writer; indicate where this additino might be most effective or appropriate.

Conclusion
17. Does the conclusion restate the writer's thesis? (I would avoid word for word, to prevent sounding redundant, but make the same argument)
18. Does the conclusion concisely summarize the main points the writer makes in the response? If not, discuss with the writer what s/he might consider including in the conclusion.
19. Does the conclusion provide closure for the essay? If not, discuss with the writer how this might be done.

Other Issues
20. What is the author's bias?
21. When in the essay does the writer address author bias?
22. Discuss with the writer whether this is the most effective place to discuss bias...should the discussion be earlier or later in the essay?
23. Is there a Works Cited attached with a critical analysis of the source?
24. Is the paper properly formatted according to the course directives?
25. Does the essay read smoothly from one paragraph to the next? If not, discuss with the writer where s/he might include transitions.

Overall
Explain the impression you get from reading the essay.
What did you learn about the writer from reading his/her essay?
How would you rate this draft? Based on the following criteria, is it an Early Draft, Middle Draft, or Late Draft?

An early draft means that your draft seems to be an early one--one that could benefit from some rethinking and re-seeing . The draft may not fully explore the ideas it has introduced or may lack a clear focus on its subject or a clear sense of purpose. Perhaps it could benefit from a stronger sense of organization.

A middle draft means that your draft appears to be in the middle stages of the writing process. This draft has some solid and interesting ideas, but it could benefit from some revision and editing in order to prepare it for presentation. Usually, these drafts have established a clearly focused subject and have begun to explore the subject in ways that suggest a strong sense of purpose. Sometimes, middle drafts need further fleshing out of ideas or sharpening of the structure through which those ideas are presented.

A late draft means that your draft is close to a portfolio draft--a draft that is ready to be presented in your portfolio. These drafts usually have a clearly focused discussion with sufficient substance to achieve their purpose. The writing itself may not yet be as clear and effective as it might be. This draft probably needs some polishing and editing.

Explain why you believe this is an early, middle, or late draft.