Intervention Draft Workshop (Harper)
- Is the writer's position/claim clear early on? Do you understand what he/she is arguing for? If not, make suggestions.
- (You don't have to point to a particular sentence as the claim, but you should know exactly what the writer's position is regardless.)
- Is the focus of the argument as a whole clear and narrow enough to reasonably cover? Why or why not? How could the writer narrow the argument in order to make it more defensible?
- What strategy is the writer employing? If Rogerian, does the writer need to make his/her own position clearer?
- Are the writer's reasons sound in logic and backed-up by numerous, specific examples?
- Mark as many places as you can in your partner's argument where evidence is needed or would be appreciated and helpful to you as a reader (specific examples to illustrate certain points, lend credibility, personal experience, statistics, facts, quotes, etc.). Write out additional overall suggestions in the following space.
- List any counter-arguments or refutations that might make the argument more solid which the writer may not have considered.
- Where in the argument did you become confused? Ask the writer to clarify, and make suggestions as to how they can help to clarify the confusion in their essay.
- Overall, was the argument
clear--
coherent--
convincing--
persuasive--
(Beside each term, write why or why not, and make suggestions, even if you comment something like, "The argument is persuasive because . . . but this would make it even more persuasive.")
- Ultimately, in your opinion, is the writer trying to (Circle one)
- convince the audience of a truth?
- persuade the audience to take another look at the issue?
- mediate a conflict and possibly propose a solution/resolution?