Writing Critique

Writing Critique

Writing Critique

What should you be looking for - CER?

1. Clear claim that answers the question fully

2. A variety of evidence, including textual evidence and summaries.

3. Logical reasoning that links the evidence to the claim and attaches the entire response to bigger ideas.

4. Are all three presented in a logical fashion?

Writing Critique

What should you be looking for - Clarity

1. Clear and correct word choice

2. Clear transitions that link disparate ideas

3. Correct grammar with clear sentence structures

4. Correct spelling

5. Correct MLA formatting and correct citations

Multiple Select

What is MLA format? Select all that apply.

• 12 point font

• Times New Roman font

• Double Spaced

• Title

Multiple Choice

Which format is correct for a play?

• "Romeo and Juliet"

• Romeo and Juliet

• Romeo and Juliet

Multiple Choice

Which format is correct for a novel?

• "To Kill a Mockingbird"

• To Kill a Mockingbird

• To Kill a Mockingbird

Multiple Choice

Which format is correct for a poem?

• "Sonnet 12"

• Sonnet 12

• Sonnet 12

Multiple Choice

Which in-text citation is correct?

• Juliet was not asking where was Romeo in her famous line "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" but rather why was Romeo named Romeo. (2.2.33).

• Juliet was not asking where was Romeo in her famous line "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" but rather why was Romeo named Romeo (2.2.33).

• Juliet was not asking where was Romeo in her famous line "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" but rather why was Romeo named Romeo. (Shakespeare 2.2.33)

Multiple Choice

Which in-text citation is correct?

• Romeo's inability to accept responsibility for his actions is highlighted by the line, "I am fortune's fool" (Romeo and Juliet.3.1.135)!

• Romeo's inability to accept responsibility for his actions is highlighted by the line, "I am fortune's fool." (3.1.135)

• Romeo's inability to accept responsibility for his actions is highlighted by the line, "I am fortune's fool!" (3.1.135).

Multiple Choice

Which in-text citation is correct?

• Phrases like "Coral is far more red than her lips' red" and "black wires grow on her head" intentionally contrast with the conventional notions of ideal beauty prevalent in love poetry of that time (Shakespeare 2, 4).

• Phrases like "Coral is far more red than her lips' red" and "black wires grow on her head" intentionally contrast with the conventional notions of ideal beauty prevalent in love poetry of that time (Sonnet 130, 2, 4)

• Phrases like "Coral is far more red than her lips' red" and "black wires grow on her head" intentionally contrast with the conventional notions of ideal beauty prevalent in love poetry of that time. (Shakespeare 2, 4)

Sample CER - CORRECT

Shakespeare's Sonnet 130 is a striking departure from traditional love poetry of the era, as it subverts conventional ideals of beauty through deliberate and unconventional diction. Rather than employing flowery, exaggerated language to idealize his mistress, Shakespeare uses stark and realistic diction to present a more authentic portrayal. The poem's language is deliberately anti-petrarchan, rejecting hyperbolic praise and instead employing direct and unembellished terms. Phrases like "Coral is far more red than her lips' red" and "black wires grow on her head" intentionally contrast with the conventional notions of ideal beauty prevalent in love poetry of that time (Shakespeare 2, 4). The use of plain and everyday language, such as "dun" to describe her complexion instead of praising it as fair, serves to highlight the speaker's honesty and sincerity (3). Shakespeare's intentional choice of words subverts the conventional beauty standards, presenting a more down-to-earth and realistic depiction of the speaker's mistress, while simultaneously celebrating her genuine qualities over the idealized and exaggerated beauty found in traditional love poetry.

​Exam Expectations

You will be given a paragraph to review that is incorrect. You will be asked a series of questions, highlighting the writer's errors and providing suggestions on how to fix the paragraph. Read each question carefully.

Sample CER - INCORRECT

The text stated, “Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!” (Romeo 3.1.84-85). This quote from the text is a perfect example of the toxicity within their relationship. He killed his girlfriend’s own cousin, that is crazy and unacceptable. According to Love is respect, “Your relationship to family, friends, and acquaintances offline and online makes up your second sphere”. After the death of Juliet's cousin, she could not view Romeo the same and it proved just how important her relationship concerned her second sphere.

How to Study

Review your previous papers and my comments. What did I praise you for? What did I suggest?

Review past writing lessons.

Use your writer instincts. Many of you know how to put a paragraph together. Think about what you would do instead.

Multiple Choice

The text stated, “Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!” (Romeo 3.1.84-85). This quote from the text is a perfect example of the toxicity within their relationship. He killed his girlfriend’s own cousin, that is crazy and unacceptable. According to Love is respect, “Your relationship to family, friends, and acquaintances offline and online makes up your second sphere”. After the death of Juliet's cousin, she could not view Romeo the same and it proved just how important her relationship concerned her second sphere.

How would you describe the quality of the claim in the above paragraph?

• The claim does not exist, and instead the paragraph jumps directly into evidence.

• The claim is clear and concise.

• The claim is unclear and the reader is presented with two contradicting ideas.

• The claim is mostly clear, but displays some repetition.

Multiple Choice

The text stated, “Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!” (Romeo 3.1.84-85). This quote from the text is a perfect example of the toxicity within their relationship. He killed his girlfriend’s own cousin, that is crazy and unacceptable. According to Love is respect, “Your relationship to family, friends, and acquaintances offline and online makes up your second sphere”. After the death of Juliet's cousin, she could not view Romeo the same and it proved just how important her relationship concerned her second sphere.

How would you describe the quality of the evidence in the above paragraph?

• The evidence connects to the claim and strongly proves the writer's point of view.

• The evidence contradicts the claim and does not prove the writer's point of view.

• The evidence does not apply to the overall claim.

• The evidence connects to the claim, but needs to be explained.

Multiple Choice

The text stated, “Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!” (Romeo 3.1.84-85). This quote from the text is a perfect example of the toxicity within their relationship. He killed his girlfriend’s own cousin, that is crazy and unacceptable. According to Love is respect, “Your relationship to family, friends, and acquaintances offline and online makes up your second sphere”. After the death of Juliet's cousin, she could not view Romeo the same and it proved just how important her relationship concerned her second sphere.

How would you describe the reasoning in the above paragraph?

• The reasoning is missing.

• The reasoning logically connects the evidence to the claim but fails to connect to bigger ideas.

• The reasoning is unclear with no clear connection to the evidence and claim.

• The reasoning logically connects the evidence to the claim and connects to bigger ideas.

Multiple Select

The text stated, “Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!” (Romeo 3.1.84-85). This quote from the text is a perfect example of the toxicity within their relationship. He killed his girlfriend’s own cousin, that is crazy and unacceptable. According to Love is respect, “Your relationship to family, friends, and acquaintances offline and online makes up your second sphere”. After the death of Juliet's cousin, she could not view Romeo the same and it proved just how important her relationship concerned her second sphere.

What clarity errors does the author make? Select all that apply.

• Incorrect citation

• Incorrect quote integration

• Incorrect title formatting

Multiple Choice

The text stated, “Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!” (Romeo 3.1.84-85). This quote from the text is a perfect example of the toxicity within their relationship. He killed his girlfriend’s own cousin, that is crazy and unacceptable. According to Love is respect, “Your relationship to family, friends, and acquaintances offline and online makes up your second sphere”. After the death of Juliet's cousin, she could not view Romeo the same and it proved just how important her relationship concerned her second sphere.

Based on the paragraph above, what claim could you suggest to help the clarity of the paragraph?

• Romeo's act of violence against a member of Juliet's family is unforgivable and represents Romeo's lack of respect toward Juliet's family.

• The text captures a moment of conflict, showing Benvolio trying to stop the fight, exclaiming, "Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!" (Romeo 3.1.84-85).

• According to Love is Respect, relationships with family, friends, and the wider community, both offline and online, constitute the second sphere of one's social life.

• Romeo's friends are bad influences on Romeo and are pulling Romeo and Juliet apart.

Multiple Select

Romeo's act of violence against a member of Juliet's family is unforgivable and represents Romeo's lack of respect toward Juliet's family. The text stated, “Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!” (Romeo 3.1.84-85). This quote from the text is a perfect example of the toxicity within their relationship. He killed his girlfriend’s own cousin, that is crazy and unacceptable. According to Love is respect, “Your relationship to family, friends, and acquaintances offline and online makes up your second sphere”. After the death of Juliet's cousin, she could not view Romeo the same and it proved just how important her relationship concerned her second sphere.

Based on the paragraph above, what evidence could you suggest the author use instead of the evidence provided? Select all that apply.

• Juliet's response to that heinous act is to call Romeo a "serpent" hiding in an attractive shape.

• Romeo, in an act of revenge, killed Juliet's cousin Tybalt.

• According to the website Love is Respect, in a healthy relationship, partners should respect each other's other relationships with family and friends.

• Romeo does not respect Juliet's relationship with Friar Laurence.

Multiple Choice

Romeo's act of violence against a member of Juliet's family is unforgivable and represents Romeo's lack of respect toward Juliet's family. Romeo, in an act of revenge, killed Juliet's cousin Tybalt. Juliet's response to that heinous act is to call Romeo a "serpent" hiding in an attractive shape. According to the website Love is Respect, in a healthy relationship, partners should respect each other's relationships with family and friends.

Based on the paragraph above, what sentence could be included at the end of the paragraph to tie in evidence from Romeo and Juliet and the website Love is Respect?

• After the death of Juliet's cousin, she could not view Romeo the same and it proved just how important her relationship concerned her second sphere.

• Juliet's anger at Romeo for the killing of Tybalt is justified.

• The Love is Respect website perfectly describes a healthy relationship.

• Romeo killing Tybalt is not an example of showing respect for Juliet's relationships. It is the opposite.

Multiple Choice

Romeo's act of violence against a member of Juliet's family is unforgivable and represents Romeo's lack of respect toward Juliet's family. Romeo, in an act of revenge, killed Juliet's cousin Tybalt. Juliet's response to that heinous act is to call Romeo a "serpent" hiding in an attractive shape. According to the website Love is Respect, in a healthy relationship, partners should respect each other's relationships with family and friends. Romeo killing Tybalt is not an example of showing respect for Juliet's relationships. It is the opposite. _______ Juliet's disengagement from the Capulet-Montague feud, Romeo and his companions remain embroiled in the immature rivalry. Romeo's impetuous choice post-Mercutio's death illustrates a failure to consider the broader consequences or how Tybalt's demise might deeply impact Juliet, reflecting a lack of maturity and foresight in handling the conflict.

Based on the paragraph above, select the best transition word that connects the evidence to the reasoning.

• Despite

• Therefore

• All in all

• In conclusion