Questions for Peer Review

Katherine Milligan

1. (Argument) Summarize the main idea of the draft briefly in your own words.

2. (Argument, Organization) Does the opening establish a clear starting point for the paper (a thesis, or at least a focussed topic)? Would some other part of the draft make a better introduction?

3. (Argument) Does the paper conclude with a whimper or a shout? Is the conclusion merely repetitive, or does it synthesize ideas, suggest new directions of thought, re-evaluate the introductory statements?

4. (Argument) Has any significant aspect of the question been neglected?

5. (Argument) Is there any point where the paper tends to fall from the level of analysis to the level of observation?

6. (Organization) How does the draft hold together? Which paragraphs don't connect well with preceding or subsequent ones?

7. (Organization, Evidence) Are there paragraphs that seem less coherent or less convincing than others? If so, choose one and explain how it might be clarified and/or better supported.

8. (Evidence) Select the best phrases, paragraphs, and/or ideas in the paper. Can they be exploited more thoroughly? How?

9. (Mechanics) Note problems with sentence structure, grammar, word choice, and other mechanical issues.

10. Respond to any questions the writer poses about her/his own draft.