Please spend 30 minutes reviewing your classmate's paper according to the following guidelines. If you finish early, do not stop editing. Take the extra time to go back over your comments and make sure they are clear. This may require you to add more comments and add emphasis to comments you have already made. Do not worry too much about spelling or grammatical errors, because your classmate will probably be revising the paper quite a bit between now and when he or she turns in the final draft. Do worry about parts of the paper that you have trouble understanding.
First, read through the paper once without writing anything down. Then, read through it again making some comments in the margins. After this, address the questions below.
The Topic—In your own words, and without looking back at the paper, write the thesis statement of the paper. What is the artform your classmate has chosen to study for this proposal? Why is it worthy of our consideration? If, after reading the opening paragraph, you are still uncertain about what the artform is, then explain how your classmate could make this definition clearer.
Organization—Now, look back at the paper. How has your classmate organized it? Write a brief outline. Do you recommend rearranging the different parts? Make a note in the margins for any place where you got lost while reading this paper. Also, consider how well your classmate has led you through the argument. Within the topic chosen there are possibly some contrasts or comparisons, especially between examples. If these relationships between ideas are unclear, then explain how your classmate can make them clearer.
Examples—What are the examples your classmate has provided in explaining the significance of this artform? Which of these examples sounds the most interesting to you? Why? Which of these examples sounds the least interesting to you? Why?
Sentence structure—Indicate any paragraphs in which the sentences sound too choppy or any sentences that are too long and complicated and need to be broken down into shorter sentences. Also, consider other reasons why a sentence might be unclear and recommend changes accordingly.
Questions—Write three questions in response to this paper. These questions should help your classmate develop the ideas in her or his paper.
Please offer your classmates' proposals the same consideration that you would like your own paper to receive. You will need to turn in peer-reviewed working drafts with the final drafts of your proposals next week, and I will grade the comments you give your classmates in this exercise.
You should edit two papers in your group. I will give groups a chance to discuss comments as well as to write them in class.