11.20 Peer review, finishing up drama unit, + reading novels

What to do for peer review of drama essays.
1.Identify roles for participants in your group.
Facilitator, is the "emcee" for the group, makes sureall the points in the protocol are covered for each participant, fields questions, keeps the group on task.

Timekeeper:  makes sure the time for discussion of each piece is allocated in a way that ensures that everyone gets equal attention.

2. Decide on the order for presentations (make sure the timekeeper knows how much time is available for each presentation). 

3. Authors then present in the decided upon order.

Protocol for feedback for an individual author:
1. Author introduces piece by stating what s/he wants feedback on.
2. Author reads his/her essay.
3. Readers should take notes and pay attention to parts of the essay which give rise to questions or comments.

Readers then:
1. Comment on strengths
2. Say back the main point (thesis/focus) + name the supporting points(ask questions if necessary)
3. Talk through the focus, organization + development for the essay
4. Answer, attend to the author's request for feedback.

Facilitator then asks if there are any further issues to talk about for the author, if not, move to the next speaker.

List of questions/points to discuss:
Focus
1.  Does the author pose a thesis that passes the "so what" test?
2.  Does the author set up a series of points to develop the thesis?
3.  Does each paragraph develop the focus in a slightly different way?
4.  Does the author make specific statements about connections between the points + the focus?

Organization
1.  Is there a clear statement of the thesis in the introduction?
2.  Does the introduction set up the points the essay will discuss?
3.  Does the author provide background information before "critquing" or discusing points based on that background?
4.  Do the points to develop the thesis follow in a logical order?
5.  Is there one point per paragraph?
6.  Are quotes set up, presented, and then related to the focus?

Development
1.  Does the author use specific references to the plot/setting/character (depending on the focus) to provide background?
2.  Does the author cite appropriate references for claims about Shakespeare, the history of the play, the audience, etc?
3.  Does the author include appropriate quotes to support a close reading of the play to support the thesis?

For next class:

Read: Mango Street

Write: Post peer reviews + final draft for Othello

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday!