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Peer-Review Workshop

In today's peer-review workshop, I posed a series of questions for you to consider when revising your paper. These basic questions can be asked of any critical paper, and should be kept in mind at all stages of the writing process:
  1. First, make sure you have a clear topic and focus, as well as clearly defined paragraph divisions
  2. Read the INTRO only, asking the following:
    • Is the topic introduced (the title and author)?
    • Is there a clear thesis? Does the statement make a claim (something that needs to be backed up with evidence)?
    • Does the intro suggest a structure for the argument?
  3. Then, look at each paragraph, checking for a good topic/transitional sentence.
  4. Within each paragraph, check for unity (make sure you are focused on a single idea)
  5. Make sure that each paragraph includes specific support. Refer to the post above (or here) for citing quotes.
  6. Finally, make sure you have concluded the paper by re-focusing the reader's attention on your thesis.
AVOID phrases that begin "I'm going to" or "I will" or "I think." Instead, make clear and specific statements. Your primary goal for any writing is to be clear. Try reading your paper out loud to check for clarity.

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