Dr. Dean Taciuch
George Mason University

Spring 2010

English 302: N07 & N10
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:

Introduction:

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? (Would they, or should they, be interested?)
   
   
3. What is the thesis or main point of the paper? Does this thesis fit the intended audience and purpose? (Does the thesis explain something that needs to be explained, for example? Is it trying to persuade those who can be persuaded?)

Background (Literature Review)

1. Locate and list the topic sentences (or main ideas) of each paragraph.
   How are the topics organized? Could they be re-arranged?
   
   
2. Within the paragraphs, do most of the key points have more than one source of support? Are the citations clear?
   
   
3. Identify any points which rely on only one source, or an ambiguously cited source, for support.

Discussion and Conclusion

1. Locate and list the topic sentences (or main ideas) of each paragraph. How are the topics organized? Could they be re-arranged?
   
   
2. Identify the thesis in the conclusion. Does it match the thesis in the Introduction?