Argumentative Essay Edit Sheet 2014

Argumentative Essay Edit Sheet 2014

Writer: ______

Editor: ______

Argumentative Essay Edit Sheet 2014

Before you begin reading the essay, please read this form so that you know what you are looking for.

In addition to answering the questions below, feel free to point out spelling or grammar errors directly on the essay itself. You may also give positive and/or constructive feedback directly on the paper. For example, if something is unclear, circle it and write “unclear” next to it. If something strikes you as particularly well said, circle it and say so! Be honest and fair; do not be overly easy and definitely do not be cruel. Remember, someone else is editing your essay as well. Finally…

As you go through the essay, cross out every mention of the writer of the paper. In other words, cross out anything that sounds like “I believe that” or “I think that”. Crossing out those words will still leave a complete sentence and it will be stronger.

Thank you for doing your best.

Paragraph 1

  1. Circle the hook. Write “HOOK” above it. What type of hook is it? (Quote, definition, anecdote, etc.)______
  2. Is the hook attention grabbing/interesting? Circle one: YES SOMEWHAT NO
  3. What could be done to improve it? ______
  4. The writer is to give background information about the character or play – whatever is appropriate. Is it clear? ______Does it flow? ______If they gave information about their reasons/incidents as supporting evidence to their thesis, how many reasons/incidents do they list? (Hint: there should be three.) ______
  5. Find their thesis and circle it. Write THESIS in all caps next to it in the margin. WRITER: IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A THESIS, YOU MUST ADD ONE. AN ESSAY IS WORTH NOTHING IF THERE IS NO THESIS GUIDING THE READER AS TO THE TOPIC OF YOUR ESSAY AND WHAT IT IS YOU ARE GOING TO PROVE.
  6. Is the author’s complete name mentioned? ______If not, what is missing? ______
  7. Is the title of the book mentioned? ______Is it underlined? ______It is supposed to be underlined. If it is bolded, italicized, and/or in quotes, remind the writer that these are not acceptable by writing them a note on their essay.

Paragraph 2

  1. Is this paragraph about the first reason mentioned in paragraph 1? ______If not, is it about a different reason mentioned in ¶1 or is it about something not mentioned in ¶1? ______
  2. Is there a quote from the book in this ¶? ______
  3. Are the quote marks used properly? ______If not, fix them.
  4. Did they include the page number after the quote marks but before the period? ______If they have punctuated this portion incorrectly, fix it.
  5. Is their quote in a “quote sandwich”? In other words, do they lead into the quote with information about what is going on in the play when this quote occurs? ______And, is the quote followed by an explanation of how this quote supports their thesis? ______
  6. What could the writer add or do to this ¶ to make it clearer? ______
  7. Does the writer have at least 5 sentences in this ¶? _____

Paragraph 3

  1. Is this paragraph about the second reason mentioned in paragraph 1? ______If not, is it about a different reason mentioned in ¶1 or is it about something not mentioned in ¶1? ______
  2. Is there a quote from the book in this ¶? ______
  3. Are the quote marks used properly? ______If not, fix them.
  4. Did they include the page number after the quote marks but before the period? ______If they have punctuated this portion incorrectly, fix it.
  5. Is their quote in a “quote sandwich”? In other words, do they lead into the quote with information about what is going on in the play when this quote occurs? ______And, is the quote followed by an explanation of how this quote supports their thesis? ______
  6. What could the writer add or do to this ¶ to make it clearer? ______
  7. Does the writer have at least 5 sentences in this ¶? _____

Paragraph 4

  1. Is this paragraph about the third reason mentioned in paragraph 1? ______If not, is it about a different reason mentioned in ¶1 or is it about something not mentioned in ¶1? ______
  2. Is there a quote from the book in this ¶? ______
  3. Are the quote marks used properly? ______If not, fix them.
  4. Did they include the page number after the quote marks but before the period? ______If they have punctuated this portion incorrectly, fix it.
  5. Is their quote in a “quote sandwich”? In other words, do they lead into the quote with information about what is going on in the play when this quote occurs? ______And, is the quote followed by an explanation of how this quote supports their thesis? ______
  6. What could the writer add or do to this ¶ to make it clearer? ______
  7. Does the writer have at least 5 sentences in this ¶? _____

Paragraph 5 – The Counterargument

  1. Does the beginning of this paragraph admit that there is another side to the argument? ______If not, it should. WRITER: PLEASE ADDRESS THIS.
  2. Is there a quote from the book in this ¶? ______
  3. Are the quote marks used properly? ______If not, fix them.
  4. Did they include the page number after the quote marks but before the period? ______If they have punctuated this portion incorrectly, fix it.
  5. Is their quote in a “quote sandwich”? In other words, do they lead into the quote with information about what is going on in the play when this quote occurs? ______And, is the quote followed by an explanation of how this quote is counter to (i.e. goes against)their thesis? ______
  6. Does the writer explain why their view is more correct in spite of the counterargument? ______WRITER: THIS IS ESSENTIAL. IF THIS IS MISSING, PLEASE ADDRESS THIS IMMEDIATELY.
  7. What could the writer add or do to this ¶ to make it clearer? ______
  8. Does the writer have at least 5 sentences in this ¶? _____

Paragraph 6

  1. Does this paragraph begin with words exactly like or similar to “In conclusion”? If so, cross them out BOLDLY.
  2. Does this paragraph BRIEFLY sum up what is said in the essay? ______
  3. Does this paragraph tell us why the information in this essay is important? (In other words, does it answer the question “So what?”) ______
  4. What could the writer do to make this ¶ stronger? ______