Essay Exam Unit: Practice Exam Peer Review

1) Read the first paragraph; STOP!  Answer these questions:

a) Does the first paragraph contain a restatement of the question as an assertion? 

How could the writer make the assertion more clear?

b) Does the first paragraph lay out the main points of the answer?

c) Are these the best points for this answer? Which points could be better?

2) Finish reading the essay, then answer these questions:

a) Does each paragraph thoroughly develop one (and only one) main point?

1. What could the author add to the first point/paragraph to make it more complete/compelling?

2. What could the author add to the second point/paragraph to make it more complete/compelling?              

3. What could the author add to the third point/paragraph to make it more complete/compelling?

b) Underline any sentences/phrases that belong to a different point than the paragraph promises to cover. 

Which paragraph do these sentences belong to (put a paragraph number in the margin)

c) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being highest), how would you rate the order of the points?  

WHY? Which point is strongest (in evidence and/or believability)?

d) Give at least one suggestion for how to improve the content of one of the paragraphs.

e) Is each point supported with evidence and example from the text(s)? 

Make a note in the margin for any place that needs more/more specific evidence.

f) On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the conclusion’s summary of the essay? WHY?

1. Are all the main points found in the conclusion?

2. Are all the points in the conclusion found in the essay?

3. Does the conclusion match the thesis?

4. Does the thesis lay out all of the points in the essay?

Make a note in the margin for any place that needs more attention.