English 101

Counter-Argument Peer Review

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English 101
Syllabus (DOC)
Davis Oldham
FOSS 5355
546-4768

This peer review asks you to look at the content and organization of your partner’s counter-argument. Please read carefully and give specific, concrete suggestions for improvement.

Content

Counter-Argument

Does the counter-argument contradict the thesis? It should. If it does not, what would be a better counter-argument to use? Write a specific suggestion for your partner.

Does the counter-argument paragraph list specific reasons in support? It should. If it does not, make suggestions for what could be added.

Does the counter-argument paragraph use the key terms to talk about evidence (sufficient, relevant and representative) and reasoning (assumptions)? It should. If it does not, make a suggestion for how the reasons can be re-worded to use the key terms.

Rebuttal

Does the rebuttal paragraph answer the specific points brought up in the counter-argument paragraph? It should. If it does not, make a suggestion for how it can be revised to disprove those specific points.

Organization

Counter-Argument

Is the counter-argument in a separate paragraph by itself? It should be. If it is not, mark the sentences that should be broken off into a separate paragraph for the counter-argument. If this new paragraph is too short (i.e. just one or two sentences long), this is a sign that it needs to be developed.

Is the counter-argument paragraph introduced effectively? In other words, does it use appropriate transitional words or phrases, so you can tell that you are reading an opinion which is not the author's? If it is not introduced effectively, how can it be revised to be more effective? See "What is a counter-argument," under "How should the counter-argument be introduced," for suggestions.

Rebuttal

Is the rebuttal in a separate paragraph by itself? It should be. If it is not, mark the sentences that should be broken off into a separate paragraph for the rebuttal. If this new paragraph is too short (i.e. just one or two sentences long), this is a sign that it needs to be developed.

Is the rebuttal paragraph introduced effectively? In other words, does it use appropriate transitional words or phrases, so you can tell that you are reading the author’s opinion again? If it is not introduced effectively, how can it be revised to be more effective? See "What is a counter-argument," under "How should the rebuttal be introduced," for suggestions.