Who is
peer-editing this essay? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
TOPIC:
Points
Category
5
General Structure: Essay includes an introduction, thesis with plan of
attack, supporting information and conclusion
Comments:
What is the thesis? (Copy the thesis here.)
Does the thesis just repeat the question?
If yes, how could the thesis be rewritten?
Is
there a plan of attack or extended specific thesis?
From
the introductory paragraph only, can you clearly tell what the essay will
discuss?
What responses will be discussed?
10
Does each paragraph contain an identifiable TOPIC SENTENCE that supports
the thesis?
MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE TOPIC
SENTENCES ARE UNDERLINED.
What
is the topic sentence for paragraph 2?
for paragraph 3?
for paragraph 4?
If you read only the thesis and the topic sentences, would you know the answer to the question?
What changes might you suggest to improve the topic sentences?
10
Does the rest of the paragraph relate to the topic sentence?
Does the information included specifically relate to the topic sentence?
No “random” information? Does
the writer’s organizational arrangement indicate a knowledge of facts and an
understanding of topic?
Do
the paragraphs “flow”?
Are these transition statements that keep the reader interested?
What suggestions might you offer?
30
Does the writer provide FACTUAL INFORMATION that ANSWERS the question?
(MOST IMPORTANT CONTENT QUESTION)
Is there substantial proof that the answer is correct? (Has the writer referenced enough documents? correctly?)
Is there a BALANCED discussion? (Has the writer given an equal amount of attention and space to each of the responses to the outbreak of plague?)
Does
the essay answer all the questions posed by the question?
Remember that this DBQ asks for three answers:
1) Analyze the various responses: Have the writer not just listed the responses but has analyze them?
2) What beliefs do each of these responses represent?
3)
What concerns do each of these responses represent?
Has the person writing this DBQ completed all the REQUIRED TASKS?
How could this part of the essay be strengthened?
Does the writer use at least 70% (or 11) of the documents? Has the writer cited the documents? (Document 1, etc.)
If documents have been provided which dispute the writer’s conclusion, has the writer addressed these documents in the essay?
Has the writer provided outside information that supports the conclusion(s) drawn from the documents?
10
Vocabulary and writing skill presented is appropriate for an AP student?
Correct
grammar usage?
Punctuation?
Any
spelling errors?
Use
of parallel structure when appropriate?
Is
the tone of the essay appropriate? Does
this essay “sound” formal?
Has the writer used a variety of sentence structures: simple, compound and complex?
10
Does the essay reflect THINKING and UNDERSTANDING on the part of the
author? Does the essay demonstrate
that the writer has done more than simply memorize a fountain of factual
information? Has the writer
demonstrated critical thinking skills by analyzing the factual data, making
connections, drawing inferences and synthesizing the results?
Does this essay show that the writer has a good understanding of the complex issue?
Has the writer correctly interpreted the documents?
Has the writer focused on the most important aspect of each document?
Suggestions:
10
Does the CONCLUSION make an impact?
Does the conclusion draws together the information included in the essay
and again answer the question? Is
the reader left with a strong sense that the writer has “mastered” the
question?
100 Total
Any other suggestions for improving this essay?
If you had to grade this DBQ today using the suggested scale, what grade would the essay receive?
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