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                Peer Review Sheet for Essays about Fiction Karen Osborne

                Author of Essay_________________________ Peer Reviewer___________________

      1. Is the essay’s thesis clear, and does it make an interesting point about the story (whether or not you happen to agree with this point)?

      2. Does the writer refer to specific textual evidence, that is, specific moments, events, actions, places or language in the story? Are you ever confused as to exactly what moment (s), scene(s) or word (s) is an example of what the writer is discussing in the story? Mark where you are confused on the draft, and/or comment here.

      3. Does the writer discuss 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? (at least one of the many elements of fiction should be discussed).

              Note here which of the above elements the writer focuses on most in the paper:

      4.  Does the writer discuss this element(s) in sufficient depth and in enough detail?
       

                        Can you list any other specific examples that the writer should have discussed?
     
      5. Are there any other elements of the story that the writer should have discussed to support the thesis? Indicate clearly how other elements are relevant to the writer’s argument. (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.  Can you find any evidence in the story that contradicts the writer’s thesis? Indicate exactly what this evidence is
      .
      7.  By the time you finished the paper, were you as a reader convinced by the evidence that the thesis had been proven?
       

                      What was the most effective evidence the writer used?
       
            Did you find anything that was not convincing as evidence? If, so, what?
       

      8. Does the writer appear to make any mistakes in his or her reading of or understanding of the story? Discuss these with the writer.

      9.  Does the writer summarize more than is necessary or appear to assume that the reader has not read the story? If so, mark the draft and/or say exactly where.

      10. Is the essay well organized? Should some paragraphs be rearranged or moved? Are transitions needed anywhere? Make suggestions on the draft and/or here.

      11. Is there anything unnecessary that could be deleted? Mark on the draft and say exactly what and where.

      12. What paragraphs need to be expanded or developed more?

      Questions 13 and 14 are companion questions.

          13.  By the end of the paper, do you as a reader feel like saying "so what?" If so, why?

          14. Has the writer discussed the significance of the proven thesis to our understanding of the story as a whole or to our understanding of literature or life?

      15.  Is the writing clear enough? Does the writer need to improve the paper’s mechanics (grammar, punctuation, etc.)?

      16.  What did you like best about this paper?
       

      17.  What is the single most important improvement the writer should make in the next draft of this paper?
       
       
       
       

    Add any further comments that would be helpful to the writer.