Peer Review 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 problem detailed in the first section?
Is this problem appropriate for this audience?

3) The thesis of a problem solution essay will usually occur in the conclusion, although it may be mentioned in the introduction as well. If the solution is not controversial, the author will generally present the solution at the beginning and restate it at the end, but of the solution might generate some controversy, the author often builds up to it and only presents the solution fully at the end.

Identify the thesis.

4) What other solutions are reviewed in the essay?
Are they presented fairly?

5) 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.

6) Does each topic sentence support the thesis?
Are the topics in the best order? How might they be re-arranged?

7) 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.