Dr. Dean Taciuch
George Mason University

Spring 2008

English 302:N08
Peer Review

Please print these questions and bring them to class. In class, you will each exchange a typed copy of your draft with another student. Read the draft, then respond to the following questions:

1. Who is the audience? Be as specific as possible (not "general audience").
   Why would this audience be interested in this material?
   
2. What is the purpose of this essay?
   Is this purpose appropriate for this audience?
   
3. What is the thesis or main point of the paper?
   Does this thesis fit the intended audience and purpose?
   
4. Locate and list the topic sentences of each paragraph. Some paragraphs, such as transitionals, extended examples, and summaries, may not have clear topic sentences. For short transitional paragraphs, topic sentences are unnecessary; for extended examples and summaries, try to express the main idea of the paragraph (or sections of paragraphs) in a sentence or two.
   
5. Does each topic sentence support the thesis?
   Are the topics in the best order? How might they be re-arranged?
   
6. Within the paragraphs, are sources used to support the main idea as expressed in the topic sentence?
   Do most of the key points have more than one source of support?
   Are the citations clear?
   Identify any points which rely on only one source, or an ambiguously cited source, for support.