Content and Development

NAME _________________________ SECTION: ___________________
Essay Critique
Choose any essay related to the present situation that the country is experiencing. Then, answer the
following questions based from your chosen essay..
Content and Development:
What is the essay’s title: ___________________________
How appropriate is the title for the subject matter in the essay? Does it make you want to
read the essay? _____________________________________
What is the essay about? For what audience does the essay seem intended? Has the writer
set up a good rationale for the essay? Has the writer narrowed the essay's topic sufficiently?
How meaningful and insightful is this essay ? ____________________________________
What is the essay's main thesis, or claim? Is it stated explicitly, or is it implied? How clear
and concise is it? __________________________________________________________
Summarize at least in two ways the writer attempts to support this claim, and describe its
effectiveness. What types of support does the writer use? How might each kind of support
be improved? __________________________________________________
What one point does the writer most need to develop further? How would you recommend the
writer make it better? _____________________________________________
Form and Structure:
Comment on the essay's introduction and conclusion. How well does the introduction set up the
essay? Does it make you want to read further? How can the writer improve the introduction?
How well does the conclusion end the essay? Does it avoid restating the obvious? Does it shed
some concluding insight into the writer's thoughts on the subject?
How well structured is the essay? Does the essay proceed logically, presenting ideas in a clear
progression of thought? Does the writer clearly indicate transitions between ideas (paragraph to
paragraph and sentence to sentence)? Is the essay's structure sufficiently sophisticated? How
might the writer change the order of presentation to improve the essay?
_________________________________________
Point out any places in the essay where specific words or phrasing seemed lackluster, awkward,
confusing, or otherwise ineffective. (Quote the offending phrases, and say why they are weak.)
_________________________________
How effectively does the writer introduce and incorporate sources? Are the sources important to
the writer's argument, or do they seem tacked-on or unnecessary? Are there any quotations in
which the writer does not name the source or explain who the source is (i.e., why the source is
being quoted)? Are there any quotations that are not introduced? Is it clear when the writer's use
of sources begins? Has the writer included a "Works Cited" page that indicates bibliographical
information about the sources used? ____________________
Style and Mechanics:
Describe the writer's voice in this essay. How would you characterize the writer's attitude as
presented in the essay? Will the writer's attitude offend the intended audience? Has the writer
avoided "slanting" his or her language? Does the writer use clichés? Might any of the words used
in the essays needlessly offend a significant portion of readers?
__________________________________________________
In which of the following areas is the essay particularly well done? (Check all that apply)
Excellent organization of material; ideas flow from sentence to sentence and from
paragraph to paragraph smoothly and logically
Informative, vivid details; not a bunch of abstractions
Well-unified paragraphs
An excellent use of sources to back up the writer's ideas
Lively, vivid words and phrases
A logical, convincing argument
A good, narrow focus, with all pertinent points covered in the essay; did not oversimplify
or needlessly convolute the issues
In which of the following areas does the essay need work? (Un-check all that do not apply.)
Sloppy, confusing, or hard to follow organization; sentences and paragraphs do not

always flow logically or smoothly
Few vivid details; difficult to understand or to visualize the issues
Some paragraphs poorly unified; ideas do not seem to fit together
Sources are not used well; too much quoting, not enough summarizing or
paraphrasing; paper seems like a series of quotes "strung together"
Dull or confusing language; words, phrases, and sentences sometimes don't make sense
Argument is not convincing; some relevant issues are not addressed in the essay; essay
does not address opposition to the argument
Essay topic too broad; tries to cover too much
Overall Assessment:
After reading the essay, what single element in the essay most stands out in your memory? Why? Does it
stand out because it helps or hurts the essay?
Write a personal note to the writer, summarizing your overall view of the essay and how well it works for
the intended audience. Include any suggestions on how it could be improved.
What is your overall impression of this essay?
Good: the essay needs only minor changes to be considered excellent.
Above average: the essay has several good qualities, but still needs a good bit of revision to
be a good essay.
Below average: the essay has major problems and needs drastic revision in several areas to
be a good essay.
Poor: the essay fails in numerous areas and needs comprehensive revision and/or rewriting.
The writer may need to put more thought into a topic.

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NAME _______ SECTION: _

Content and Development:

What is the essay’s title: ___________________________

Form and Structure:

Style and Mechanics:

Informative, vivid details; not a bunch of abstractions

An excellent use of sources to back up the writer's ideas

Lively, vivid words and phrases

A logical, convincing argument

Sloppy, confusing, or hard to follow organization; sentences and paragraphs do not

Few vivid details; difficult to understand or to visualize the issues

Some paragraphs poorly unified; ideas do not seem to fit together

Essay topic too broad; tries to cover too much

What is your overall impression of this essay?

Good: the essay needs only minor changes to be considered excellent.

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