Peer response 4
You should definitely know the peer
response drill by now: the key is that you be tactfully critical
so that you will help your classmate improve his or her paper. Consider the following:
- Effectiveness of the introduction—point
out weaknesses and make specific suggestions for improving the paragraph
in any respects needed. If the introduction is less than half a page in length,
suggest concrete ways of developing the paragraph more effectively.
Avoid saying just that the paragraph needs more—make suggestions precise.
- Make specific and precise suggestions
for improvement of the thesis statement. Consider particularly if the thesis sets up a topic for argument or analysis that is worthy of exploration in a college-level
essay. Recall that a viable topic is one that goes beyond the obvious, beyond simply pointing out things any reader would know just from reading the novel. Other weaknesses in the thesis?
Explain.
- Consider the overall focus of
the essay—look for places where the paper might be straying from the
stated central topic (or thesis). Pay especial attention to each body paragraph's
opening sentence: does each paragraph open with a strong topic sentence reiterating
the key words from the thesis? Suggest specific improvements
in topic sentences.
- Point out ¶'s that appear
to lose or shift focus by getting away from the initial point stated in
the topic sentence (think of repeating "key words" throughout
the ¶): should any ¶'s be split up into smaller units? Also consider
whether any two ¶'s seem to be addressing the same fundamental point
and might be better combined.
- Identify the weakest point in
the body of the paper (a specific body ¶) and make concrete, specific suggestions for improvement.
- Identify the second weakest
point in the body of the paper (a specific body ¶) and here, too, make concrete, specific suggestions
for improvement.
- Make specific suggestions for
improving underdeveloped paragraphs: don't just say "expand" or
"elaborate" make precise suggestions.
- Effectiveness of the conclusion—make
very specific suggestions for improvement. If the conclusion is less than
roughly half a page in length, suggest specific, concrete ways of expanding
the paragraph.
- Effectiveness of quotations, from
the novel and from secondary sources. Do they offer significant support for
the author's claims, or do any seem simply "thrown in" to meet the assignment
requirements? Suggest specific passages that the author might quote to illustrate
the paper's primary assertions more effectively. Also point out any quotations that are not introduced, or that are introduced awkwardly or incorrectly.
- Point out quotations that need
more comment or explanation.
- Grammar, mechanics, and and word
choice—special attention to GR, Nugget, QD, SS, and WP items.