This is an in-class activity only.

Essay #1 | Peer Review #2

Author_______________________ Peer Editor_______________________

Talk with the author first. What is their thesis and purpose, and who is their audience? What concerns do they
have? Keep their concerns in mind as you fill out this sheet. Remember, your goal is to help your peer.
Read the essay once and mark two things:
1. Write a #1 in the margin where you identify the topic of the piece
2. Write a #2 in the margin where you identify the thesis statement
The re-read the draft and comment on each of the areas below. Make appropriate notes in the margins or ask
your peer if you can use the comments function in their Word Processor.
1. Topic:
1. Paraphrase the topic:
_________________________________________________________________

Circle one: Topic is Inappropriate or difficult to tell OK Appropriate and well-focused

2. Thesis: Most essays have a clear, central point—a claim or thesis, no matter the type of writing.
1. Paraphrase the thesis statement:
_________________________________________________________
2. Offer comments on how the author can narrow the thesis statement to give the essay more focus:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Circle one: Thesis is Inappropriate or difficult to tell OK Appropriate and well-focused

Discuss your impressions of the rhetorical situation in this piece. For example, what is the purpose of the
writing and how does the author present that purpose (stance)? Does the author seem to know their audience
well? Who is the author’s audience?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Narrative arc:
1. The beginning of arc (or first point) discusses
______________________________________________________________
 Does the beginning work well? Does it introduce the author’s topic?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
How can the author develop the hook for the essay or pull the audience in more effectively?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. The middle of the arc discusses
_______________________________________________________________
Does the author build up to the middle?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
How does the author build?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
How can the author develop the middle of the essay?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
The end of the essay discusses
______________________________________________________________________________
Does the author wrap-up all loose ends in the essay? Is the story complete? How can the author
improve the end by offering a stronger sense of conclusion? What is missing?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What did you find unclear about the essay? How can the author develop the essay to remove confusion?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Organization: Find at least two instances of transition and make suggestions for improvement
1. Paragraph #____
 Suggestion:____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2. Paragraph #___
Suggestion:____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Tone and style:
I like the phrase that begins “________________________________________________” because
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

I like the phrase that begins “________________________________________________” because

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

I did not love the phrase that begins “__________________________________________” because

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

I did not love the phrase that begins “__________________________________________” because

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Additional comments: