York Country Day Middle School
Self & Peer Revision Instructions
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Read the
entire paper: Read without comment or notes.
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Central
Idea Summary:
Try to get a sense of what
the writer is after: the goal, the point, the purpose, the overall theme
or central argument. Before going back through the paper, write a
paragraph (on this form) that you think summarizes the main idea or
thesis (topic) of
the paper.
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Thesis
Statement Suggestions: Review the
first section of the paper and identify the thesis (topic) sentence; write it
down. (on this form) Is it strong and clear? Does the
introductory material engage the reader? Describe the strengths of
the introduction and suggest how the author might improve it.
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Topic /
Details / Closing / Transitions: Study the
paragraphs and identify topic sentences, details that support the topic,
and closing or transitional sentences. Write those down. (on this
form) Does each of these points seem to support and develop the
main idea or argument?
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Organization Comments: Are the paragraphs well organized? Are ideas presented in the best possible
time and chronological order?
Are there places where they might be arranged better? Are there
sentences that are unneeded, or which you can’t follow? Does the
author stay committed to a single point of view (1st or 3rd
person?) Are verbs presented in the same tense throughout the writing? Write a
paragraph (on this form) in which you comment upon the strengths and
weaknesses of the essay’s organization.
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Strength
of Focus and Understanding: Does the
writing interest you? Does it convince you? Discuss ways in
which you think the writing might be made more interesting and / or
convincing.
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A,B,C
Passages Marked: Review the
writing again. Look for problems that get in the way of your
understanding the author’s intent- murky language, confusing passages,
unclear descriptions-etc. Mark these with an upper case letter
(on the writing itself, in sequence: A, B, C etc.) and write
briefly (on this form with corresponding letter) how each of these
passages might be clarified. Indicate to the writer which details
and which passages work especially well for you and why.
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Questions
for the Author: What
questions do you have for the writer? Ask them in writing. (on
this form)
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Edit for
Mechanical and Usage Errors: Review the
writing for a final time, using the attached YCDS Standard Editing
Marks. Make corrections (on the writing itself) for common
mechanical and usage errors.
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Summary
of Changes Paragraph: Summarize
the changes (on this form) that you suggest the writer make in preparing
the next draft.
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Signature
of Peer Editor: Sign your name and date edited, to this form.
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Author's Response:
After you get
your own paper back from the peer reviewer.
Write a full
paragraph (on this form) in response to your review. Make sure you
consider all the suggestions- content and language- and if you reject
any of those suggestions, make sure you explain why.
York Country Day
Middle School
Self & Peer
Revision Checklist
SELF
PEER
1. Read entire
paper without comment or notes.
____
____
2. Central idea
summary
____
____
3. Thesis
statement suggestions
____
____
4. Topic /
Detail / Closing / Transition sentences
____
____
5. Organization
comments
____
____
6. Strength of
focus and understanding comments
____
____
7. A, B, C
passages marked (with comments)
____
____
8. Questions for
the author (written down)
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____
9. Edited for
mechanical and usage errors
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____
10. Summary of
changes paragraph
____
____
11. Signature of
peer editor
____
____
12. Author’s
response to review paragraph
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