LG’s: Assess the structure and strength of a paragraph Peer Editing LG’s: Assess the structure and strength of a paragraph

Introduction Identify the warrant. Identify the backing. Clear? Compelling? Readily acceptable? Identify the backing. Clear? Compelling? Specific example or general logic/philosophizing? Should be specific example. Identify the transition sentences. Clear connection made between warrant/backing and main claim? Provides details from the novel that relate the warrant/backing to the main claim? Assess the claim Underline the subordinating clause. Clear? Compelling? Avoids use of vague phrasing like “the way,” “the dangers of…” Too long?

1st Body Paragraph Topic sentence Rate the topic sentence. Is there a clear claim? Is it just summary or plot based? Too broad? Too specific? Too busy? FANBOY or Subordinating Conjunction?

1st Body Paragraph Sentences Does each sentence relate clearly to the topic sentence? Read each sentence one by one. After each sentence, return to the topic sentence. Do the sentences go off topic?

1st Body Paragraph Grounds 4 or 5 pieces of text support? No single words? Unless establishing a pattern about the language. No long blocks of quotes? Not plot based? Each quote is explained in order to show relevance to topic sentence. Strong quotes provided? Clear explanation provided?

Closing sentence Is there an apt closing sentence? Relates paragraph to topic sentence/main claim? Does the paragraph end with a quote?

1st Body Paragraph Language Cross out any “things.” “thing,” “something,” “anything,” “everything,” “nothing.” To-Be Verbs Is, Am, Are, Was, Were, Be, Being, Been Be aware of contractions Passive Voice? Huck is seen on the raft. Jim was affected by Huck. Linking Verb? He is a boy. She is a teacher. Look for surrounding nouns to change into verbs. Perhaps necessary? Helping Verb? He is riding on the raft. They were hiding from Pap. Change to plain present or past tense? Other fixes Substitution Be wary of overusing the same word like “becomes.” Rearrange phrases and/or clauses.

Do the same for all body paragraphs.

Organization Is the whole novel addressed? Chronological order? Enough body paragraphs before the rebuttal/counter? Or one body paragraph and then R/C? Paragraphs too long? Over a page, red flag Consider splitting, even if it has the same topic.

Rebuttal/Counterargument Smush? Or Two separate paragraphs? If it is a smush, is there evidence provided for both? Consider splitting? Strong rebuttal? Phoned in? Does the counter suffice? Use proper rebuttal transitions? “An alternative interpretation…” “Some people might say…” “Alternatively…”

Conclusion No lame transition? Return to main claim? “In conclusion,” “Finally,” “At last,” Avoid all. Return to main claim? Return to warrant/backing? Strong connection to reader’s life? No new evidence? Red flag. No quotes. Too long? Too short and doesn’t adequately sum up paper?