Author's Name _____________________________________

Reader's Name ____________________________________

Read the author's piece in its entirety.  Mark only small and quickly edited things as you notice them (particularly fragments and run-ons).   Now answer the following prompts.

Overall Impressions

Does the position which the author took at the start of the essay come through strongly at the end of the piece?  Is it maintained with equal force and clarity throughout the piece?  If the answer to either of these questions is no (and it likely will be), please highlight one place where focus was lost, and suggest how it might be regained.

What organizational strategy does the author use to structure her argument?  Refer to the handout I sent in the email for the two most likely, and probably best, strategies.  If it doesn't follow either of these, suggest which one it might follow, and tell why you think that'd be best.



 

Does the essay seem finished to you?  If not, tell the author exactly what he needs to add yet that will help you completely your understanding of his position. 

 

Argument and Counter-Argument

In the essay's margin enumerate each argument (generally a clear summary of the opponent's point and a quotation which specifies it) and counter-argument (the author's own rebuttal) that you can find.   Does there seem like a good and useful balance between argument and counter-argument?  Let the author know what you think -- and why, specifically.

Using the guidelines set out in the emailed handout, help the author revise one or two paragraphs of his/her essay so that their points take best advantage of all those elements which a good rebuttal uses:  figurative language, legwork, etc.  BE SPECIFIC and DETAILED, ALWAYS.