Peer
Group Checklist
by Melanie Dawson
Professors often break their classes into small groups that edit drafts of papers; this guide will help you to make thoughtful comments about another's work.
First, read through a group member's essay in order to get a general idea of the writing. Does the essay make sense? Can you, without reading the paper, summarize its main point or points? The paper doesn't have to convince you of a particular viewpoint, but it should seem a thoughtful, coherent piece of writing that you can readily understand.
Answer all questions in the space provided or on a separate
page
Thesis (if appropriate for the assignment)
Can you find it? In your own words, write the main point of the thesis here:
Does the thesis state the main idea and some of the reasoning behind that idea? Why or why not?
Support for the Thesis
Is the thesis supported in the body of the paper?
Is there any evidence or support for the thesis that is missing?
Is there any information that contradicts the thesis?
Is all of the textual evidence clearly related to the thesis?
If some information is not relevant, can it be cut from the paper?
If this information is necessary, how could the writer include
it without undercutting his or her main ideas? (Hint: look at
transitional phrases within sentences.)
Coherence and Clarity
Do any ideas seem vague? What can the writer explain more
thoroughly that would help the reader?
Can you determine the paper's audience?
Is the purpose of the essay clear?
Does the introduction give the reader "clues" about
the subject of the essay?
Content
Is the conclusion a conclusion or a mere summary? Does the
conclusion refer back to the introduction, helping to round out
the essay?
As a reader, do you sense a structure in the paper? Can you determine
a logic behind it? Are the ideas easy to follow in their arrangement?
Do the transitions (both between sentences and between paragraphs)
help to connect ideas? If not, what other structural changes
could the writer make? Would other transitional devices be more
appropriate?
If the writer is working with fiction, is the plot summary of
that fiction too lengthy? Or does the writer strike a good balance
between his or her ideas and details from the story?
Is the paper interesting? What are the most interesting/convincing
sections of the paper? How could the writer expand upon these
sections or make the rest of the paper as interesting?
Are there sections of the paper that are better written than
others? If so, do you think these sections are better focused,
with the ideas more completely defined? How can the writer bring
the rest of the essay up to this level?
Style
Is the style understandable? Also, is the style appropriate
for the intended audience? Are there too many linking verbs (is/are/was/were)
in the writing? Check, too, for overuse of the passive voice
("was written").
Is the writer too tentative about her thoughts? Does she rely
heavily on phrases such as "I think.." or "It
seems" or "approximately"?
Is the research thoroughly documented?
Is the research integrated into the paper, or does it "weigh
down" the paper, obscuring the writer's ideas? How could
the writer more successfully integrate sources into his or her
paper?
Marking the draft
If you are working with a photocopied version of a paper, feel free to write a few comments and suggestions. Careful, don't make the page "bleed" (think what it would look like in red pen).
Important: Always tell the writer why you are marking
the paper--make a note in the margin or at the end that explains
why you are confused by the sentences or phrases you mark.
Draw a straight line (_____) under words or images that strike
you as effective. These words would include strong verbs, specific
details, memorable phrases, and striking images.
Draw a wavy line (~~~~~) under words or images that are weak
or unconvincing. Put these lines under words the writer repeats
too often, ideas that seem vague, flat, or unnecessary.
Put brackets ([ ]) around sentences or groups of sentences that
you think should be combined.
Put parentheses ( ) around sentences that are awkward or don't
make sense.