PEER REVIEW: PAPER #2
Please exchange papers with a new partner, not the person who read your first paper. At the top of your partner's paper, please write "Read by _______" and put your name in the blank. Read and mark the paper for strengths, weaknesses, errors, and areas that need clarification. Then answer the following questions:
1. Format: Please put a "yes" or "no" next to each item to indicate if the writer followed format.
| Has page numbers with last name on every page | The Margins are 1" top. bottom, left, right. | ||
| Use Times New Roman 12pt font | The works cited page starts at the top of a new page. | ||
| Title is centered, properly capitalized, and NOT underlined, bolded, quoted, italicized or enlarged. | Each item on the works cited page uses a hanging indent. | ||
| Information block has proper information and has only single-spaced blank lines between each item. | Works cited entries are arranged alphabetically and NOT numbered. | ||
| Spacing above and below title is one single-spaced blank line only each. | Works Cited Page has a page number. | ||
| There are no extra gaps between paragraphs. | The Works Cited title is centered, properly capitalized, and NOT underlined, bolded, quoted, italicized or enlarged. |
2. As you read, verify the following for each paragraph:
- The paragraph starts with a clear transition, a clear claim, and avoids starting with a quotation.
- All quotations have a signal phrase, are punctuated correctly, have a citation that matches an item on the works cited page, and has discussion.
- Each paragraph is focused on a single, unifying point and does not need to be broken up or expanded.
- The paragraph does not end in a quote.
- The paragraph does not end with a new idea in an attempt to create a transition to the new paragraph.
Beside each paragraph, right "Verified" if the paragraph meets all this criteria. If it doesn't, indicate what needs to be addressed.
3. On a separate sheet of paper, write out a quick paragraph that outlines what the topic of the paper is and the specific interpretation the writer wants you to have about that topic. Make a clear distinction between what they are writing about and what point they are making about what they are writing about. If the paper itself isn't clear, tell your partner that they need to clarify his or her point, and if an interpretation occurs to you, share that with the writer.
4. How effectively is the research integrated into the paper? Discuss the quality of the sources, the effectiveness of the analysis of quoted materials, and the degree to which the author uses the research to support his or her claims rather than being driven by the research. Give examples of where research works well and any places that could use some work.
5. Overall, how effective was the paper? Address the following:
- Does the paper present an overall interpretation that is sustained throughout the essay, or does it read like a series of separate interpretations strung together or a Wikipedia article?
- Does the paper's organization work? Where does it need to be improved?
- Does the conclusion tie everything together, or is it too brief?
- Does the introduction need to be revised given how the paper unfolded?
- What was the best part of the paper?
- What final suggestions do you have for the writer of the paper?