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Back to section 06, fall '99

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                    Author Review Sheet for Drafts of Essays about Fiction

                    Author of Essay_________________________ Title of Essay___________________

      1. Is the essay’s thesis clear? Can I circle or underline it? Does the thesis make an interesting point about the story? Will others want to read about this?
       

      2. Am I specific enough in my references to the text? Do I refer to actual specific moments, events, actions, places and language? Do I refer to exact lines or words in the story? Or do I tend to just say my opinions in general about characters and the story as a whole?
       

      3. Do I show my reader that I am aware of at least one technique the story uses (such as the story's plot, setting, characters, theme, point of view, imagery, symbolism, atmosphere, style, dialogue), or other elements of the story's structure or craft?
       

      4. Do I discuss this technique (s) in sufficient depth and in enough detail? Do I use enough specific evidence to prove my thesis? Could I make my examples into a list of exhibit a, exhibit b, etc.—and would there be enough evidence to convince most readers?
       
       

      5. How is the technique I'm discussing related to other aspects of the story or the story as a whole? (For example, even in a paper focusing mainly on plot, aspects of characterization may need to be mentioned briefly as they relate to plot or help to prove the paper’s thesis.)
       

      6. Have I overlooked any evidence in the story that contradicts my thesis? Do I remember anything someone said in class discussion that perhaps I should think about?
       

      7. Would the toughest reader I can imagine want to argue with me? Have I anticipated their response?
       

      8. When I read each paragraph and ask "so what?" do I realize that some paragraphs are incompletely developed? What paragraphs need to be expanded?
       

      9. Do I tend to summarize too much? What summary could be omitted? What summary could be condensed into a simple subordinate clause such as "When (character x) goes to see (character y), another example of (z) occurs..."
       

      10. Is the essay well organized? Should some paragraphs be rearranged or moved? Are transitions needed anywhere? Are my sentences clear and effective?
       

      11. What do I like best about this draft?
       

      12. What is the single most important improvement I need to make?