In-class activity: Peer Review Guide for Language Narrative

You may find it helpful to use the following questions to guide you when giving feedback on a
peer’s writing. These questions are based on the grading criteria for the Language Narrative
(Assignment 1).

Your partner’s name: Mathias Sebastian Lewis Cogorno

Title of your partner’s text: My experience living as an american for two months
Word count (title not included): 886 words

Focus and Insight: The paper has a clear focus, telling a story about the author’s experience
with language and revealing an insight, belief, or value of the author. (Objective 1B) 5 pts

Is there a clear focus to the narrative? If so, what is it? If not, what are the different
focuses you can identify? What do you suggest the author do to improve this?
What insight, belief, or value does the narrative reveal? Is it interesting and relatable?

Your comments/suggestions/questions Pts.

The text is quite interesting and eye-catching, it feels like you are reading 4
a letter from a close friend telling you about his experience studying in
the United States. I could say that I identified the “background or what
the author wants to express” as the narrative of how he quickly learned
English (interacting with native speakers and being consistent in its use).
However, I think it is necessary to highlight more what you want to
express to the reader (or perhaps put it literally in the text).

Support and Evidence: The paper incorporates support or evidence for claims or insights
through descriptive detail. (Objective 2A, 2B) 5 pts

Where does the author successfully use descriptive detail to support claims or insights?
Where could more vivid or descriptive detail be added to the narrative?

Your comments/suggestions/questions Pts.

5

This approach is effective since the author included all the situations
really detailed (emotions, description of the places, etc). It helped me to
imagine the situation and enjoy the text.

Organization: The paper appropriately uses or adapts common organizational features of

narrative to create a clear and meaningful organizational structure for readers. (Objectives 1B,
1C, 3A) 4 pts

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 What kind of organization does the author use? Is this effective in this paper? Did you
ever feel confused about the time or sequencing in the paper? What alternative
organizational structures might work well for this paper?

Your comments/suggestions/questions Pts.

4
I like the way you arranged your text, it looks quite organized and the
way you divided the paragraphs makes the order of the ideas and events.

Language and Rhetorical Features: The paper appropriately uses or adapts common
language and rhetorical features of narrative, such as 1st person pronouns, descriptive
language, verb tense, dialogue, and reflections about language. (Objectives 1B, 1C, 3A) 4 pts

Where in the paper has the author successfully used or adapted these common
language and rhetorical features? Where in the paper might the author use any of these
features effectively?

Your comments/suggestions/questions Pts.

3
I like the third paragraph as you contracted the education in both places
in a simple way and explained your feelings (in detail) in a way that the
reader gets involved in the story. Nevertheless, I would like you to
include more descriptions about the differences that you found in both
countries.

Assignment Guidelines and Expectations: The paper meets the Language Narrative
assignment guidelines, including all drafts submitted and final reflection. (Objectives 4B, 4C) 2
pts

Is the paper 700-1,000 words in length? Does it tell a story about a language
experience? Is it formatted accurately and appropriately (APA 7th)?

Your comments/suggestions/questions Pts.

2
The text met the LN guidelines and it is formatted appropriately.

© University of Arizona Writing Program