Peer review questions & activities

1. Read the paper all the way through without making marks.
2. Briefly summarize (in two or three sentences) your understanding of how the paper responds to the assignment prompt. 
3. Find the paper’s thesis statement, underline the claim and highlight the rationale? If it is missing either of these elements make a note on the paper.
4. At the beginning of each paragraph use the “comments” function to describe the topic of that paragraph. At the end of each paragraph use the comments function to describe how that paragraph’s topic advances the central point of the paper.
5. Find one place in the paper where the writer is effective at making his or her argument and briefly (in one sentence) describe why you think this is effective below.
6. Find one aspect of the paper that you feel needs work and describe how you think this place can be improved below.
7. Write a paragraph-length comment to the writer that conveys your overall thoughts on the paper. How do you feel it contributes to its subject? Where and how do you think it is successful and why do you find these elements effective? What is the primary aspect of the paper that needs improvement? What suggestions would you make?
8. Write one question that you expect the final project to answer.