Use the questions below to help with giving feedback to your group members. Please use your own paper to write in-depth responses, so that the author understands exactly what your comments mean.
Peer Evaluation of the Research Paper -- Title:________________________
Author:___________ Peer Reviewer:______________ Date_______
1. What is the thesis of this paper? Does it meet the requirements of the assignment?
2 What are the key words in the thesis? Can you tell that this is a persuasive research paper about some aspect of language?
3. Did the writing stop you because you were puzzled by grammar, punctuation or meaning? If so, where?
4. Is a paragraph included about a survey--who was surveyed, where, when, ages, gender, education-- that the student undertook at her own discretion? Does it include one or two questions to let us get a sample of what she was investigating? (See 116-117 field research in QA)
4a. Is a paragraph included that describes the results of the survey?
4b.Is there a paragraph including the interview of a stakeholder in the enterprise...in this case, your topic will determine your stakeholder, i.e. if you do the classroom's use of media and how (or if) the teacher selects non-biased choices, students of both gender and teachers of both gender would be appropriate stakeholders.
5 What was the best part of the paper? Give the writer a good compliment.
6. If this were your essay, what would you do differently?
7. Point out any places where you felt bogged down or overwhelmed with information with WHEW!
8. Point out any places where information was not clearly presented or was inadequate with HUH? In other word, are there enough examples that you understand the writer's point-of-view? Explain.
9. Point out any terms that should be defined with A WHAT?
10.Identify the high point/climax with YES!
11. Discuss the effectiveness of the beginning and ways to make it better.
Does it capture your attention?
Does it use a quotation, fact or anecdote to create interest?
What would make it better?12. Discuss the effectiveness of the ending and ways to make it better.
Does it leave you hanging? Is it too abrupt?
Does it oversimplify the material?
Does is fulfill the promise of the introduction?13. What does the author feel about the topic? (This should be found in a reflection paragraph, which all effective research papers contain.)
14. Are citations used in proper format?
15. What final thoughts do you have about the draft? What will be most memorable? . What needs more work?
16. Any other comments or suggestions for the author?
Feedback can be valuable to both the editor and the author. We learn much from reading the work of our peers: what to do and what not to do. My experience shows that those who truly try to help their peer partners will receive the same in kind. Everyone becomes a better writer. Those who put a minimal amount of energy into the process rarely gain. Remember the old adage: You get what you give.