Personal Response Essay

Peer review guide

Author Name________________________________ Reviewer Name______________________________

Directions for the reviewer: follow the instructions for each rubric section. Provide comments for the author on this sheet, and whenever appropriate, on the draft itself. After you have finished each section, put an X in the section of the rubric category that you feel best describes the quality of the authors writing. Be sure to pay close attention to the bullets on the rubric throughout the revision process.

Opening
ELA standard Opening 2 0 Opening Opening is Opening is addresses the attempted. missing or prompt and sets unclear up a response. Underline on the authors draft where the prompt is addressed in the opening. If you cannot tell where Opening of the essay engages the reader. this happens, there may be an issue; tell the author this during your writing conference, and make a note on the draft itself. b. Write below how the opening sets up a response. What words, phrases, and sentences does the author use to give the reader a sense of what the body will be about? 4 3

a.

Middle
ELA standard middle Body works as Body misses Body has no a coherent one of the recognizable structure, or whole. bullets of the Details lead standard Body is a list directly to the of narration authors without purpose. purpose. Read the body of the essay, and write below what the main purpose of the essay is this will be the main story/reflection and truth that the author is communicating. 4 Body works to illustrate a significant truth about the author. (establishes what the truth is) 3 2 0

a.

b.

Reread the body of the essay slowly and carefully, and using a pink highlighter, highlight any details that seem off-topic or unrelated to the main point you listed above. Stop after every sentence and ask yourself if it builds to the authors main purpose. This step is very important, so take your time.

Closing
ELA standards Closing 4 Closing memorably and reflectively 3 Closing directly relates to (answers) the 2 Closing is abrupt. 0 No recognizable structure.

a.

answers the essay essay prompt. prompt. Underline on the authors draft where the prompt is addressed in the closing. If you cannot tell where this happens, there may be an issue; tell the author this during your writing conference, and make a note on the draft itself.

b.

Is the closing memorable and reflective, or is it obvious and/or clich? Write any suggestions you have to help make the authors closing more memorable and reflective below.

Language
ELA Standards Language 4 Creates a vivid image for reader. Authors word choices also establish a tone that highlights the significant truth about the author. (How the author feels about the truth) 3 Precise words, phrases and details create an image for reader. Style and voice are appropriate for the essays prompt and purpose 2 Word choice is vague, repetitive or imprecise. Connection to task and purpose is not evident. 0 Problems with language confuse the reader.

a.

Circle any subject that is there, it, or this, as well as any linking verbs (is, are, was, were, have been, seem, etc.) that follow them. Suggest more precise words that the author can use as subjects/verbs instead.

b.

Read through the essay again, and highlight all sensory details or figurative language (not clichs) with a yellow marker/highlighter. Look for areas where the author could develop imagery further, and also where you feel the author has established vivid imagery; provide comments in the margin.

c.

Does the tone of the essay align with the truth that is being communicated? Describe below what you feel the tone of the essay is, and list four words that the author uses which help to establish that tone.

Conventions
ELA Standards Conventions 4 One or two errors in grammar, punctuation, 3 Three to five errors in grammar, 2 More than 5 errors exist, or one or more 0 Errors hinder readability

a. b. c.

punctuation, repetitive capitalization, errors exist. usage (including wordiness) and spelling exist in the essay, but none of the errors are repetitive. Cross out the word you any time it appears outside of dialogue. Revise any areas that have issues with wordiness. Edit the document for grammatical errors.

capitalization, usage and spelling exist in the essay, but do not hinder readability.