General Guidelines Read your peer’s paper more than one time. Do not make any written corrections during the first reading. Make corrections and comments directly onto your peer’s paper. Be critical.

Form 1. Does the paper have a title? 2. Does the title have the correct form? 3. Are the paragraphs indented five spaces? 4. Is the paper double-spaced? (or 1.5) 5. How many words are in the paper?

Form 6. Is there a topic sentence? Underline it. 7. Does the topic sentence indicate the painter and painting’s title? 8. Is the title of the painting in italics and properly capitalized? 9. Is the first paragraph organized in space? 10. Does the description generally use the present tense?

Form 11. Does the second paragraph have a topic sentence? 12. Does the second paragraph try to interpret the painting? 13. Does the writer use outside sources? 14. Is there a concluding sentence at the end of the second paragraph? 15. Find at least three grammatical errors, and mark them.

Discussion When you return the paper, discuss any “No” answers, with the exceptions of questions 12 and 13. If the author seems to be relying on someone else’s ideas (i.e. you can’t figure out how they have this knowledge), ask about it—you know I’ll be suspicious, too. No outside sources should be used for this assignment.

Content 1. What parts of the composition does the writer refer to? Which could be added to enhance the paper? 2. Mark any sentences that seem unnecessary or unrelated to the main idea. Point out anything that seems to be missing from the description. 3. Name two colors that the author points out. If there is no mention of palette, remark this to the writer.

Content 4. Does the writer recount any of the Biblical or mythological stories [in detail]? He or she should not do so. 5. Place a question mark beside anything you don’t understand in the paper.

Generalization and Overstatement How do you define these terms? What is an example of each? What determines acceptability? What are two strategies for correcting overstatement?

Grammar vs. Style Certain patterns should be used conscientiously. Good writing is typically concise; academic writing favors saying as much in as few words as possible.

Delaying Strategies Beginning sentences with “It is…” and “There is…” is grammatically possible; however, these patterns generally create weak and wordy sentences since the subject is delayed (delaying strategies).

Focus Problems weak subjects expletives ineffective passive voice sentences

Exercise Group 1 Follow the suggestion in brackets. Remove “it is” and “there is” patterns. Make the sentences more concise overall.

Examples Some say that it is television that is to blame for poor reading skills today. [use blame as your verb] Some blame television for poor reading skills today. There was agreement by the candidates to answer all questions. [use agree as your verb] The candidates agreed to answer all questions.

Written or Mental 1. It is argued by others that there has not been any serious decline in reading skills. [use others as your subject] 2. It is one of the teacher’s points that there is a need to teach grammar to freshmen. [use teacher as your subject] 3. There were barely twenty years between the two World Wars. [use separate as your verb]

Possible Answers 1. Others argue that reading skills have not seriously declined. 2. The teacher believes that grammar should be taught to freshmen. 3. Barely twenty years separated the two World Wars.

Exercise Group 2 Use the underlined word as the main subject or verb (or a logical replacement with the same meaning) of the sentence. Generally, eliminate passive voice. [S=subject]/[V=verb]

Example The change to a later time for our second meeting was thought to be necessary. [S] We decided to change the second meeting to a later time.

1-4 1. A report from the government group received study by the president. [V] 2. Changes to the rules are only made by the director. [V] 3. The use of computers is now increasing in many professional fields. [S] 4. A presidential warning was given in order to stop further gossip by the press. [S]

Possible Answers 1. The president studied a report from the government group. 2. Only the director can change the rules. 3. Increasingly, many professionals use computers. 4. The president warned the press to stop further gossip.

Other Exercises You can do 5-11 at home if you need practice. Suggested answers are in the back.

Exercise Group 3 Revise the sentences, giving them clearer subjects. Example: It is believed that the test will cover the last three chapters. The test will likely cover the last three chapters.

1-4 1. There were six contestants competing in the race. 2. There is an interesting similarity between Taiwanese and Mexican culture. 3. He said that there are four reasons he is leaving. 4. There are many people who believe that aliens live on other planets.

Possible Answers 1. Six contestants competed in the race. 2. Interesting similarities exist between Taiwanese and Mexican culture. 3. He offered four reasons for his departure. 4. Many people believe in extraterrestrial life.

For Next Time Complete Paper #2 and submit it to the e-course system by April 12. Remember that the revision of paper one is due April 10.