reviewing for structure and content

The following activity employs the technique of reverse outlining and is designed for draft one of the first essay but can be adapted easily to any assignment.

Read the essay once in its entirety without making any marks. Then begin the peer review activity below [view print-friendly pdf].

Reverse outline [see Purdue OWL activity]

Identify the structure of your writing colleague’s essay by completing the sections of this worksheet. Write your peer's sentences in the space below, then answer the following questions. 

Thesis statement: 

• supporting topic:

• supporting topic:

• supporting topic:

• supporting topic:

Concluding point/evaluation:

Ask and answer critical questions

1. Is the thesis statement easy to find?
2. Is the thesis statement arguable? In other words, does is make a point or is it just a statement of fact?  
3. Does the thesis statement suggest that the author is going to discuss at least two primary works?  

If no or maybe for questions 2 or 3 above, suggest improvements for the thesis here:

1. Does the author reference the primary sources using quotations?   
2. Does the author include properly formatted parenthetical citations?  
3. Is punctuation used correctly for these citations, based on what you know or can find in Gardner?  

Evaluate the structure and content of the introduction and conclusion. Do you see repetitive phrasing between the two of them?  

Once you have completed the questions above, return to the essay and review at least two of the body paragraphs for style and grammar. This should include revision of at least three sentences within the paragraph. Make marks directly on the essay, and be clear in your suggestions for improvement.