Workshop for Paper #2
DIRECTIONS: Please answer in complete sentences and take time
and care in responding, as you will be graded on your answers. Remember to give constructive criticism, and not to simply praise the work. You will want to give at least one fully formed suggestion for each question. :-)
1) Is the essay's thesis clear? Point out any areas where it could be clearer. Is it arguable? Is it well-qualified (specific)? Even if the thesis seems to be specific enough, suggest a way for the writer to make it even more specific and narrow (i.e. do they list the topics they plan to discuss in the body paragraphs?). Also note any awkward grammar or unclear word choice. (Note: the thesis should not just be a list of topics with no indication of why they matter and what ties them together).
1.5) Does the introduction introduce the book(s), the year published, and a brief summary with relevant details? If not, point out what is missing.
2) Does the writer incorporate research from scholarly (not news) sources into the essay? Do the sources seem to be a strong and relevant for the thesis at hand? Do not ask the writer to tell you about them, but judge them based solely on what is in the paper. Write what you know about the sources below and give any suggestions for what you need to know more about.
3) Does the writer incorporate plenty of quotes/paraphrases from their primary source and the outside sources examples in the essay? They should! Are those quotes strong enough to use? Which quote is the strongest and which is the weakest? Why?
*Note: one brief quote from the primary source per paragraph, with only a sentence or two of analysis, is not enough. Stick close to the text first and foremost, and use it as a framing device for your larger thesis. Explain what is happening (briefly) in a given scene before introducing an example from a scene. Do not rush this portion.
*Additionally, quotations should be integrated appropriately into the writer's own sentences. They should not just appear out of nowhere. Anytime a source, character from the book, or new idea is introduced in the paper, the writer of the paper needs to explain who they are and give some brief context for them to the reader.
4) Does the writer provide convincing, sufficient analysis (again, a sentence or two is not enough) for each and every one of their quotations/paraphrases? Remember, analysis is as important than the quote itself. It is your paper. Make suggestions for improvement below, and be specific. The analysis should of course connect back to the thesis.
5) Is the paper organized? Do the main topics of the body paragraphs seem to build logically upon one another? Are the quotations logically organized? Does the writer use proper transitions between ideas, connecting them together? Give at least one suggestion for improvement.
6) What are some ways in which the author might expand their ideas further? Are there any logical connections they could be making that are missing from the essay? Is their critical thinking going deep enough, or are they staying at a surface level with their interpretations of the text? Give suggestions for at least two places in the essay where they can go deeper.
1) Is the essay's thesis clear? Point out any areas where it could be clearer. Is it arguable? Is it well-qualified (specific)? Even if the thesis seems to be specific enough, suggest a way for the writer to make it even more specific and narrow (i.e. do they list the topics they plan to discuss in the body paragraphs?). Also note any awkward grammar or unclear word choice. (Note: the thesis should not just be a list of topics with no indication of why they matter and what ties them together).
1.5) Does the introduction introduce the book(s), the year published, and a brief summary with relevant details? If not, point out what is missing.
2) Does the writer incorporate research from scholarly (not news) sources into the essay? Do the sources seem to be a strong and relevant for the thesis at hand? Do not ask the writer to tell you about them, but judge them based solely on what is in the paper. Write what you know about the sources below and give any suggestions for what you need to know more about.
3) Does the writer incorporate plenty of quotes/paraphrases from their primary source and the outside sources examples in the essay? They should! Are those quotes strong enough to use? Which quote is the strongest and which is the weakest? Why?
*Note: one brief quote from the primary source per paragraph, with only a sentence or two of analysis, is not enough. Stick close to the text first and foremost, and use it as a framing device for your larger thesis. Explain what is happening (briefly) in a given scene before introducing an example from a scene. Do not rush this portion.
*Additionally, quotations should be integrated appropriately into the writer's own sentences. They should not just appear out of nowhere. Anytime a source, character from the book, or new idea is introduced in the paper, the writer of the paper needs to explain who they are and give some brief context for them to the reader.
4) Does the writer provide convincing, sufficient analysis (again, a sentence or two is not enough) for each and every one of their quotations/paraphrases? Remember, analysis is as important than the quote itself. It is your paper. Make suggestions for improvement below, and be specific. The analysis should of course connect back to the thesis.
5) Is the paper organized? Do the main topics of the body paragraphs seem to build logically upon one another? Are the quotations logically organized? Does the writer use proper transitions between ideas, connecting them together? Give at least one suggestion for improvement.
6) What are some ways in which the author might expand their ideas further? Are there any logical connections they could be making that are missing from the essay? Is their critical thinking going deep enough, or are they staying at a surface level with their interpretations of the text? Give suggestions for at least two places in the essay where they can go deeper.
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