****For the Reader/Critiquer****
1.
Exchange drafts
only with someone else who has a draft.
Never critique while someone else has nothing
to critique. If you have no draft to
critique, talk to me and work on your paper.
Your next stop should be the
2.
Read the essay
twice, pen down,
before responding to critique questions.
3.
Plan to take
about half the class for each critique. You should accomplish two, good thorough
critiques in one class period.
4.
Answer each part
of each question on the critique. Ask me
if you need help and remember that numbers 5 & 6 are really bonus
questions. Questions 1-4 are most
important.
5.
Be honest and
specific in your responses. Vague or
"gentle" responses
BAD "I really
BETTER "Your first paragraph didn't get my attention or
pull me into your essay. Is there a way
you could do that? Could you use a quote
from the story or something?"
6.
AVOID asking the
writer questions, even though s/he is sitting right next to you. S/he can leave with your written feedback but
won't remember your verbal comments as well.
7.
AVOID taking over
the essay by saying, "If I were writing this paper…."
8.
Write as quickly
but as legibly as possible. The more you
say the more you can help the other person, which is ultimately
what helps your own grade. (These
critiques count as part of your class participation grade.)
9.
RE-READ what you
have written before you return your critique to your fellow student. Make sure it is honest and
direct and specific without hurting their feelings. (Would YOU want to
get this back as a critique from another student???)
10.
Return the critique to the student-author and start a
second, even if the time seems limited.
****For the Writer****
1.
Be sure to read
these critiques and follow the suggestions from them as best as you can as you
revise your draft for turning it in the next class.
2.
If you have
trouble understanding the feedback from your peers or seem confused by what
they are suggesting, see me or the
3.
Include these
critiques in your process when you turn in your paper; they help that critiquer's grade so be sure not to lose them.
4.
These peers are
your audience so really pay attention to what they
say. They may not have read your story
but they know what should be in an essay and if it is making sense to them as a
reader.
(The questions below are the ones to answer.
Take your time and write as legibly as you can on
separate paper.)
1. Does the Introduction grab your attention? If yes, explain why. If not, explain why not and tell them what
would grab your attention better.
2. What is the thesis of the paper? Write it down and then see if it does the
job. Does it declare what the
student-writer will discuss? Explain. Does it take a stance and assert what the
student-writer thinks is the theme of the story/poem/play in relation to the
characters in the story/poem/play?
Explain.
3. How much summary is there? Do you feel like you are reading the
story? IF there is too
much or too little summary, tell the student-writer how to cut or add.
4. Look at and comment on EACH body paragraph and
how the topic sentence and the evidence within that paragraph explains/supports
the thesis you identified in question 2 above. Comment on each body paragraph separately.
5. Look at the conclusion of the essay. Does it wrap up the essay? Explain.
Does it tie back to the thesis/introduction? Explain.
Does it seem long enough or does it end abruptly? Explain what you mean here.
6. Make any final comments or suggestions about content
here.
(Avoid comments on grammar,
spelling/mechanics, punctuation or usage.
You could refer them to the handbook but