Essay Draft Response Questions

Essay Peer Draft Evaluation Questions

Answer each of the below questions for essays written by each of your book club members (the five member group(s) need respond to just three of their group members' essays--just be sure everyone gets three). Please complete your responses by the stated deadline.

• What about the introduction interests and orients you as a reader? At this point, why would you (not) continue reading this essay if you did not have to? Is there a particular introduction strategy you can recommend to the writer, such as an anecdote, a history of the issue, something along those lines, that might better get a reader's attention and provide an indication of the topic and where the essay will be going? If so, provide that suggestion.
• Write down what you see as the essay's thesis. Why is the thesis appropriate for the assignment? Explain what you see about the point as being debatable.
• Can you suggest a way to better focus the topic and thesis? Is this a fresh/engaging look at the topic? If not, suggest a fresh perspective to the writer.
• Based on your reading of the essay, what needs to be emphasized?
• Based on your reading of the essay, what seems to be missing or understated?
• Based on your reading of the essay, what is hinted at but not made clear? How might this material be made clearer? Give the writer some suggestions if this need exists.
• What evidence (from either the text or the expected research) in the paper supports the writer's assertions? How well does the writer make use of this evidence? Do you see any logical inconsistencies regarding the use of evidence? If so, offer a way to correct those you see.
• Explain why/how the writer does (not) persuade you to accept their point.
• Are there any mechanical errors that need revision? Show the author the most glaring errors. However, do not edit the paper for them.
• If you were to change one thing in this paper, suggest that change to the writer.