Peer Editing

Greet your partner. Trade papers.

Writer: Tell your responder what you need from them. (For example, “I am most concerned that my thesis isn’t strong.” “I don’t know if the explanations of my quotes are clear enough.” “I can’t think of an attention-getter.”)

Responder: Write down these questions or concerns at the top of the paper. Write your name beneath these comments.

Responder:

1. Read introductory paragraph and bracket the thesis statement.
2. Circle the causes mentioned in the thesis and underline the effects mentioned in the thesis.
3. Before continuing your reading, check the topic sentences of each body paragraph – does each correspond to a cause or effect mentioned in the thesis? Does it assert an idea?
4. Read the first body paragraph.
5. Identify the Points (P from PIE). Put a star by each P.
6. Identify the Illustrations. Underline each one.
7. Evaluate each Explanation – does the writer clearly explain how each illustration proves the topic sentence of the paragraph? Write + or - in the margin next to each E.
8. Repeat for each additional body paragraph.
9. Read the conclusion. Circle the section wherein the author explains the “So what?” of her/his argument. Does the author show how this topic connects to life?
10. Go back to the essay to help the writer with her/his particular question or concern. Talk together about it, and come up with a plan for the writer.

Writer: Review responder’s notes and ask any questions you have. Make notes about what you need to improve.