What is the argument of the critical review? Does the argument appear in the introduction? Does your partner present an evaluative argument, as he or she should?

Peer Review

Part 1: Use the following questions to guide your review of your partner’s essay. Write your name (reviewer’s name) and your peer’s name (writer’s name) in a Google Doc/Word Doc. Your comments will help your partner gain a new perspective that will inform the reflection and revision processes.

 Part 2: You should complete a self-review with the same questions.

Part 3: Compare PARTS 1 and 2. What did you notice that your peers didn’t notice and vice versa? Look at each point (1-7) for this exercise. How will you resolve each difference you notice?

Turn in all parts on BB.

Parts 1 & 2: (Provide complete-sentence responses.)

1. What is the argument of the critical review? Does the argument appear in the introduction? Does your partner present an evaluative argument, as he or she should? Does the argument avoid personal feeling or belief? What reasons does your partner provide in the thesis? (There should be some reasons.)

Below are two example argument statements, one is effective and another is weak.

1. an effective, strong argument: Although “N” site has made steps in a positive direction, such as in the new tools to interact more with other users now and to keep some data private, “N” site has not kept up with important technological advances and innovative changes to social media, such as developing a user-friendly phone app and limiting the content that floods the newsfeed; therefore, “N” site falls below average, making it a site users should avoid.
2. an ineffective, weak argument: “L” site has great features because people can post whatever they want to their profile, but I don’t think people should use it because it is not fun and is the most boring.

 

1. Are the criteria listed one at a time in their own paragraph? What are the criteria?

 

1. Comment on the criteria. Has your partner presented objective criteria? To what extent do the criteria appear to be unbiased? To what extent does your partner reveal his/her bias? (Remember NOT to rely on personal taste or preference.)

 

1. Do the paragraphs discussing the criteria and evaluation begin, as they should, with the identification and definition of the given criterion? (Refer to the sample paragraph with my revisions in the previous deadline’s folder if you need clarity on what exactly this looks like.)

 

1. How does the writer show the points, rather than just tell them? What are the specific examples/pieces of evidence the writer uses to support the thesis? List multiple examples.

 

1. Is the review convincing? Why or why not?

 

1. Offer a suggestion for how your partner can improve his/her evaluation.