First, a note on scholarly sources:
Scholarly sources are also known as peer-reviewed sources:
From: http://libguides.umd.umich.edu/content.php?pid=578980&sid=4772865
Also helpful: Scholarlyrev
To find good quality scholarly sources, use library databases like Academic OneFile and ProQuest, more structured library resources like Opposing Viewpoints in Context, or just type keywords into the library’s broad SearchSummon tool.
Project 3 Rough Draft Workshop
Pair up with one other classmate. Exchange rough drafts with them, and answer the following questions about your partner’s draft in a blank Word document. No need to copy down the questions themselves; just write your answers to the questions. When you and your partner are both done writing, take five to ten minutes to run through what you’ve written and discuss your advice for each other. When you’re done, call me over so that I can review your answers. After I’ve done so, you may leave. Before you do, make sure to email your feedback both to me and to your partner so that they have and can use it.
1) Does the essay have a clearly identifiable thesis statement? If not, after reading the draft, work with your partner to come up with a thesis statement, or to improve the one they already have.
2) So far, does the essay effectively integrate outside sources and research? Does the essay use signal phrases and avoid simply dropping in quotes at random? Does it take time to introduce each quote and explain why each quote is relevant to the paper’s argument?
3) Is the essay logically organized so far? Does it develop in a way that supports the initial claim in the thesis statement? Is each paragraph clearly identified by a topic sentence and a transitional device explaining how this new sub-topic relates to the previous paragraph? Overall, does the essay flow well?
4) Is the essay working to establish the exigence of the issue? Does it make clear that this is a topic worth arguing about in the first place? Does the essay present at least one counterargument? If so, what is it? If not, come up with a possible counterargument or objection to your partner’s thesis.
5) Did any argument or analysis in your partner’s paper seem unwarranted or exaggerated (in other words, did you think your partner was “jumping to conclusions” at times or not providing enough evidence for his/her claims)? If so, explain why.
6) On the sentence-level, did you find the paper to be well written? Does it contain poor grammar? Is it unnecessarily wordy at times? If so, offer some detailed suggestions for revision.
7) What, in your opinion, is the strongest part of this paper? What is the weakest?
Rhetoric & Writing I 