READER

T. Bob's homepage

English 102 syllabus

English 102 readings

English 102 Assignment

READER'S NAME_______________________ author's name_____________________________

Read though the essay twice, once to get an overview of the argument, organization, development, and style and again to make comments.

Evaluate the writer’s thesis, written or implied. Does it present an argument connected to a primary source? Does the thesis forecast points not addressed in the essay?

Are there points raised in the essay that are not clarified ?

Identify at least one of the writer's strengths. Explain why you think the author has done something effectively (for example, used evidence well, made a logical connection between two ideas, etc.).

Identify places where the writer could develop the argument. Pose questions that you think will help the writer develop the argument or explain why the argument isn't convincing to you.

Identify places where evidence is used well and where it is used ineffectively. Explain why the writer’s use of evidence is more or less effective in these places.

Choose a paragraph to critique in terms of style and grammar. Does the writer need to reorder sentences? Rewrite them? Combine them? Vary their structure? Does the writer need to use stronger transitions between points? Do you see a particular pattern of grammatical errors in this paragraph?

In all of your comments, make sure you have addressed the writer’s questions and concerns.

Descriptive Outline

Type a descriptive outline of the paper. Writing a descriptive outline helps peer editors formulate a clear sense of the structure and development of a draft. Reading a descriptive outline helps writers to see their work through a reader’s eyes, to determine if what they have written is what they meant to write, and to evaluate the effectiveness of their organizational structure. To prepare a descriptive outline:

Number the paragraphs in the draft.
Restate the thesis or central claim of the essay in your own words. The thesis may not be completely clear in the opening paragraph. You may need to add to your restatement as you work through the essay. If you have had to infer the thesis, note this in your restatement.
For each paragraph:

	List the main assertion or topic of the paragraph.
	In a sentence or two, summarize what the paragraph says.
	Indicate the paragraph’s function in the essay. In other words, what is the writer trying to do in this paragraph (for example, develop a sub-argument related to the thesis, present and analyze evidence, etc.)?
	Note how the paragraph relates back to the thesis and explain how you know.

Suggestions for Revision

Review your comments and descriptive outline, then type three suggestions the writer can use to revise the essay. Place these suggestions in order of priority, considering what the writer needs to do first in order to produce a more effective draft. Be specific with your suggestions, offering the writer strategies for revision if possible.