peer+review

=
Read paper **out loud** to yourself, stopping at each paragraph to identify the thesis sentence, correct any spelling/grammatical errors, check the organization/flow of ideas, and make sure that the paper makes sense. You cannot do this silently. OK, you can, but you aren't doing a very good job of it. =====

=
_ Highlight the thesis sentence/topic sentence in each paragraph. If there is no one sentence that organizes the facts and analysis in the paper, tell the author to create one or delete sentences that have little to do with topic sentence. =====

=
_ Put a * next to every historical fact/bit of evidence/primary source, there should be more than one per paragraph. =====

=
_Highlight/Underline (in a color not a black pen) all analysis, there should be some explanation of ideas before and/or after every quote, each paragraph must show some analysis (why something is important or what it means). =====

=
_ Does each paragraph relate to the paragraph before and after? If not, direct author to create “bridge” sentences that will connect the different contents of each paragraph. =====

=
___ Identify grammatical errors. Use list of frequently made errors to find mistakes. Check off each as you completely address it. =====

=
Each new idea is a new paragraph, if there is not enough information for 4-6 sentences, bundle related ideas or cut out altogether. Paragraphs have a minimum of 4-6 sentences. =====

=
Type out numbers less than one hundred (ninety-nine), use numbers for dates (1975), and large numbers (42,891), but write out very large round numbers (six million) rather than using numbers (6,000,000). =====

=
No contractions in a formal paper (isn’t, aren’t, won’t). No slang or first person (I, you) unless you were there, participating in the event. =====

=
Quotations: If over three lines must be indented, single-spaced and drop the “quotation marks.” Do not use quotes over six lines. To shorten, use…to represent deleted part. =====

=
All quotes must be introduced and integrated into the paper, not just plopped in there. Any quotes must be totally necessary for the paper and surrounded by analysis. =====


 * =====All writing will be done in past tense. "They worked in the factory." This is active and good. Avoid passive voice. "They had worked in the factory." It makes the writer sound whiny and uncertain. Never good.=====