Criteria for Evaluating Essay #2 Drafts

Students in English 198D identified the following criteria for evaluating drafts of Essay #2.  Refer to this list of criteria--along with the peer critique materials and grid--as you evaluate each other's essays.  A effective essay will do the following:

Demonstrate critical analysis of the primary source

Contain a strong thesis

• thesis presents an argument regarding the historical significance of the source
• thesis is based on the source; it doesn't simply state a historical truth

• all point made go toward supporting the thesis

• readers can predict wher the essay will go as they read each paragraph

• balance will be toward analysis, with each description, summary, paraphrase or quotation interpreted
• writers can present evidence regarding the language, structure, and images of the source 

Use Correct Grammar and Mechanics.  In evaluating Essay #2 drafts we will pay attention to the following:

• misplaced modifiers
• verb tenses (discuss past events using past tense, but the source in the present; for example, "the poster depicts children playing in a playground")
• passive voice (combination of a "to be" verb and a past participle (for example, "The WPA was considered one aspect of the New Deal's 'creeping socialism'").  With passive voice, the agent (i.e., the people considering) is left out of the sentence.
• passive style (for example, "I will prove X")