Peer Reviews consist of two parts: Specific comments within the essay and general comments at the end of the essay.
Within the essay, some (not all) points to consider are:
1. Point to sentences, examples, and evidence that are particularly effective, vivid, and/or persuasive.
2. Highlight sentences, claims, or ideas that are unclear or confusing. If possible, give suggestions for making them clearer.
3. Highlight arguments that are not definitional (Paper 1) or evaluative (Paper 2). If possible, make suggestions for adapting them to the appropriate type of argument.
4. Indicate areas that need better transitions and topic sentences.
5. Indicate ideas, words, and phrases that are repeated too often.
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At the end of the essay, you will write a 1/3 to 1/2 page single-spaced letter/memo to your classmate. This critique should not merely repeat specific comments, but should be different, new, and/or more general in nature. Questions to consider are:
1. Do you understand the author's argument? Is there enough background information for you to understand the topic; who its target audience is; what it's trying to persuade that audience to think, do, or believe; and whether the claim is worth making, interesting to its audience, and debatable? If not, tell the writer what more you'd like to know.
2. Has the writer focused the essay around a clear position? If this is not clear, or if the essay seems to wander from this focus, be sure to suggest specific improvements.
3. Can you identify the claim and reasons? Are the criteria appropriate and well-developed? Is the matching well done? Are rebuttals considered and answered well? Are there important or interesting points left out that would help the argument? As always, suggest improvements.
4. Does the author use solid facts & reasoning (good analysis, specific examples, logical organization), present a credible character (appears knowledgeable about the topic, seems to be a fair person), and appeal to the heart & values of the readers (is the paper interesting to read)? If possible, suggest improvements.
5. Is the organization of the essay easy to follow and understand?
6. Is the essay's use of quotations and references good, appropriate, and sufficient?
7. What tone does the author employ: formal, slangy, descriptive, or some other? Does that tone seem appropriate for the subject and the audience? Does it help establish the author's character?
8. What do you like about the essay? Do you find it persuasive? Why or why not?
9. When you make suggestions, be sure to point to specific places in the paper. Make your advice as detailed as you can.