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Workshop #1 for Evaluation Assignment

Writer's Name__________________ Respondent's Name _______________________

You have two tasks as you read your peer's paper. First you must annotate the paper as you read through it. Next, you must answer the peer review questions to help your partner revise the paper. Please note that the criteria created in each question are the same criteria by which I will grade your paper.

Task One: Annotating the Paper

Read the draft all the way through, carefully. Then, go back and mark it up, annotating the text. That is, in the margins, respond to the text as a reader, mapping out what happens to you as you read.

Task Two: Answering Peer Review Questions

  1. What is the issue at stake? Has it been clearly stated in the paper or can you discern it from reading the paper?
  2. What is the author's position on the issue? Has it been clearly stated or can your figure it out while reading the paper? If it isn't clear, does it need to be?
  3. Who is the audience for this paper? Does the audience agree with the author on this issue? How can you tell? What moves does the writer make to APPEAL to the values of the audience?
  4. Has the author listed other available positions on the issue? What are they? Has she left out any important positions?
  5. List the values at stake in this argument. Has the author listed all the important values that are at stake here? If not, mention those he has overlooked.
  6. 6. Has the author carefully and thoroughly considered the values at stake? Has she, for example, tried to define what "justice" or "loyalty" means to each of the parties to the argument? Has she shown how the parties to the argument are using this value to advance their own interests? Has she considered whether the parties to the argument are invested in the best or most persuasive values available in this argument? Try to answer these same questions regarding any negative values (vices) that are at stake in the argument, such as injustice or disloyalty. This is the most important part of this assignment. Be sure to help the writer include material detailing these concerns.
  7. Does the author supply evidence to support her position where necessary? Is the evidence persuasive? Does she evaluate the quality of her evidence or that of people who disagree with her?
  8. What advice do you have for this writer?