Skill Focus: reading, speaking
Time Required: 40 - 60 minutes
File Download: argumentative-essay-peer-editing.docx
Brief Description: In pairs, students give feedback to each other on their essay drafts
I use the below checklist with my students so they can improve the drafts of their argumentative essays. Feel free to use it (or edit it as long as you don't redistribute it) if you find it useful for your class. Note that there are APA-related questions.
There are two pages. The first page is for the prepared students who brought an essay draft to class to show their partners. The second page is for unprepared students who only have their essay in their heads (it's a verbal exercise). If your students are all prepared, then you can disregard the second page.
Peer-review Checklist Preview
Argumentative Essay Draft Peer-Editing Checklist
Pair-work: Answer the below questions based on your partner’s essay.
- The essay has a clear thesis statement presenting its stance at the end of the introduction paragraph. (YES/NO) If YES, write the essay’s thesis statement below:
- The essay presents a counter-argument to the author’s stance. (YES/NO) If YES, write the counter-argument points below:
Point A:
Point B:
(Point C:)
- Can you easily find a refutation or response to each of the above points?
Point A: (YES/NO)
Point B: (YES/NO)
(Point C: (YES/NO))
- If YES, is the refutation persuasive? (YES/Somewhat/No)
- Does the essay ignore any obvious counter-arguments? (YES/NO) (Answer should be NO)
- Do the regular body paragraphs begin with a clear topic sentence that states the overall topic of the paragraph? (Example topic sentence: “Furthermore, outsourcing can reduce company costs.” < If this were the topic sentence, then the whole paragraph would be about reducing costs.) (YES/NO)
- Does each paragraph have at least three sentences? (YES/NO)
If time allows…
- Does each in-text citation contain the author’s last name and the year of publication? (YES/NO)
- Count the number of authors cited. Do all of these authors appear in the References? (YES/NO)
- Are there any non-cited authors in the References? (YES/NO) (Answer should be NO)
- Are the References entries listed in alphabetical order?
- Do all sources accessed online have a DOI or URL?
- Are the sentences clear? Highlight the sentences you don’t understand.
Research Essay Worksheet – Verbal Explanation (Essay draft not Ready)
Part 1 (Pair Work): Stance, Counter-argument, and Refutation
Present the below points to your partner about your essay. You do not need to write anything–explain it as clearly as possible verbally.
Stance/Thesis
- My essay argues that ….
Counter-argument
- Critics of this view argue that (1) ….
- Some people also might argue that (2) ….
Refutation/Response
- Point #1 is not (completely) true because ….
- Point #2 is not (completely) true because ….
Part 2: Once finished, give feedback to each other. Consider the following points:
- Are the most obvious counter-arguments mentioned?
- Does the refutation address the specific points of the counter-argument?
- Is the refutation convincing
Part 3: (Time Permitting) Verification of peer-reviewed sources
Paste a minimum of three peer-reviewed sources that you plan to use below.
Confirm with your partner that these sources are peer-reviewed, i.e. journal articles or published books.
Best of luck with your classes.
-- Peer-editing worksheet created by Matthew Barton (copyright) for Englishcurrent.com