Cheryl Hoy

BGSU GSW 1100/1110

2010-2013

Arguing a Position Essay

Writers WorkshopPeer Review
spend approximately 20 minutes on this peer review / The time you spent:______
Your Name (1st Peer Reviewer):____________________________
Whose paper are you reviewing? (Name of writer of the draft):________________________________

PART I
1. After quickly reading the draft, write a first response to the essay. What did you enjoy most and/or
what is the most memorable aspect of the essay? Why?

2. List at least two positive aspects of this essay.

PART II
As you reread the draft, silently by yourself, answer the following questions.
1. Read the introduction and conclusion.
a. Does the introduction clearly define the issue? Does it grab the readers interest, set the tone, and
provide context? Does it present the thesis? Which, if any, of these aspects are missing? What might
make it better?

b. Does the conclusion explain why it is important to know about this issue? Does it state any positive or
negative implications or possible advantages or disadvantages for any particular groups of people or for
society? Does it discuss future problems or concerns because of this issue? Explain what the conclusion
still needs.

2. Read the Counter Argument & Refute

a. Is there a Counter Argument? Does it name who the opposing side is? Does it present and explain one
opposing point in its own paragraph? Does it illustrate this opposing side with two specific examples or
pieces of evidence? Is each example or piece of evidence explained after it is presented in the paragraph?
What does the counter argument need to make it stronger?

Cheryl Hoy

BGSU GSW 1100/1110

2010-2013

b. Is there a refute to the counter argument? Does the refute acknowledge any valid points made by the
opposing side? Does it respond to the opposing sides concerns? Does it explain the validity of the
writers argument in spite of the opposing view? What does the refute need to make it stronger?

3. Usage & Mechanics

a. Check for MLA format. Circle one answer below, and on the draft, cross out any errors.
a. Is there a works cited page? YES
NO
b. Is the works cited page formatted correctly? YES
NO
c. Is the works cited page titled: Works Cited in the center of the page, one-inch from the top
margin, in Times New Roman 12pt font, without any italicizing, bolding, or underlining?
YES
NO
d. Is the writers last name and page number correctly placed on each page of the essay
including on the works cited page?
YES
NO
e. Is the first page correctly formatted? YES
NO
f. Is there a title for the essay? YES
NO
b. Is there a consistent point of view? Circle in the draft each you, your, yourself, one, and
oneself.
c. Does the writer use formal language, effective word choice, and an academic tone--no conversational,
casual, slang, or vague words or absolute phrases and no contractions?
Circle in the draft every conversational, casual, and slang word or phrase, such as well, yes, no,.
Circle in the draft every vague word, such as this, that, thing, there is, and there are.
Circle in the draft every contraction, such as isnt, dont, its, theyre, arent, wouldnt,
cant, shouldnt
Circle in the draft every absolute word, such as everyone, everybody, anyone, all, none,
nobody, always, and never.

Cheryl Hoy

BGSU GSW 1100/1110

Cheryl Hoy

BGSU GSW 1100/1110

2010-2013
2010-2013

Arguing a Position Essay

Writers WorkshopPeer Review
(spend approximately 30 minutes on this peer review / The time you spent:_______
)
Your Name (2nd Peer Reviewer):__________________________
Whose paper are you reviewing? (Name of writer of the draft):________________________________

PART I
1. After quickly reading the draft, write a first response to the essay. What did you enjoy most and/or
what is the most memorable aspect of the essay? Why?

2. List at least two positive aspects of this essay.

PART II
Number each paragraph in the left margin of the draft (# 1, # 2, # 3, # 4 etc.).
As you reread the draft, silently by yourself, answer the following questions.

1. Paragraph Mapping:

Body paragraphs = each supporting point paragraph, counterargument paragraph,

refute paragraph

a. After initially reading the essay, reread the thesis and each topic sentence. Does each topic sentence
relate to the thesis? If any do not, write the paragraph numbers in this space and explain why the topic
sentences do not relate to the thesis.

b. Next, in the body paragraphs only, read each topic sentence separately along with the support sentences
within its paragraph. Does each sentence in the paragraph explain, support, and relate to the topic
sentence? Circle any sentences that do not accurately relate to the topic sentence and draw an arrow in
the left margin of the draft to the topic sentence to which it relates. If it does not relate to any topic
sentence in the paper, draw a line through it and explain in the left margin that it does not relate to any
topic sentence/paragraphs point. Write the paragraph number below for each paragraph that has
sentences in it that do not relate to the topic sentence/paragraphs point.

Cheryl Hoy

BGSU GSW 1100/1110

2010-2013

2. Argumentation Strategies:
a. Write the paragraph # of the body paragraphs next to each type of appeal listed below. Does the writer
use:
appeals to emotionpersonal experiences, observations of others, anecdotal examples that are
like stories that elicit a feeling such as sadness, happiness, anger, etc

appeals to logic/reason--statistics, numbers, percentages, facts from an expert

appeals to characterpersonal experiences, observations of others, examples that describe

behavior of someone/people

Where could these appeals be used to make the essay stronger? Write the paragraph # below and explain
which appeal would help.

b. Identify by paragraph number below where the writer is overly emotional or illogical. Are there any
fallacies in the draft? Explain.

3. Evidence:
Identify by paragraph number below at least one body paragraph in which the supporting evidence is
strong. Then, identify by paragraph number below at least one paragraph in which the writer makes
assertions without sufficient supporting evidence.
a. Paragraphs that have strong supporting evidence:

b. Paragraphs that need strong supporting evidence: