Humanities 102: Writing Group Guidelines

Alyssa J. O’Brien phone: 473-0269

Humanities 102: Gender, Art, and Society – Writing Group Guidelines

What is a writing group?

The writing group is a place for each member of the group to receive constructive feedback and suggestions that will help him or her revise and strengthen the writing of the paper. As a writing group member, your job is to point out what works successfully and why. Also, you might discuss what could be changed and why. It’s important to explain how a suggestion would change the paper.

How to respond?

Write comments and notes all over the paper. Then compose a short summary of your suggestions on the last page and sign your name. Frame your response in a helpful way. Use “I” and pose questions. Remember: don’t just point something out; explain why something works or doesn’t work so that the writer can think about it – not just for this paper, but for all future writing as well.

Where do I begin?

The questions below are meant to get you thinking about the kinds of things you might look for in a paper. You don’t need to follow this list rigidly and answer these questions one by one. This is only a guideline to help you get started.

1. Is the topic clear and interesting?

2. What do you make of the title? Is it informative, focused, original?

3. Consider the introduction. Is the opening line engaging yet specific? Does it draw you into the paper? Is the text to be analyzed adequately introduced by author’s name and title?

4. Is the thesis clearly stated (it should be underlined also)? Is it specific and interesting?

5. Is there a smooth and effective transition into the body of the paper?

6. Consider the body of the paper. Does each point related to the thesis in some way? Is each point fully developed and adequately supported? Are you convinced of the writer’s argument? What would make it more compelling?

7. Does the paper flow? Consider transitions. Are you led through the paper point by point?

8. Discuss the language and tone. Do any words strike you as odd, stuffy, too informal, vague, or troublesome? Explain why. What does the tone do for the paper?

9. How has the writer incorporated research into the paper? Is there enough material to support the argument?

10. Are there enough citations of the primary text? Are the citations make smoothly?

11. What do make of the style? Is the tone and language appropriate for the intended audience? How does the writer’s opinion come through and is the strategy effective for you?

12. The conclusion is important. Are you led up to it? Does it give you something new to think about? Does it wrap up the paper effectively or does the paper just stop? Does it relate back to the thesis or at least the title? What else could be done in the conclusion?

13. Analyze the paper’s overall effect on you and how it created that effect. Were you persuaded to agree with the thesis? If not, why not?

14. Do you have any suggestions for expanding the paper, changing the focus or adding research?

15. What did you learn from this paper in terms of both content and how to write a paper?

For the final summary: remember to comment both on the strengths of the paper and on what you think might be changed. Be sure to sign your name at the bottom.

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This Page Last Updated 1/9/00 revised for links july 2003