Peer Reader

1. On a whole or a half sheet of loose-leaf paper, write your name in the normal spot and the writer’s name as the title. All of your feedback to the writer will be on this paper.
2. Read the essay carefully. As soon as you are done reading, close the screen for a moment. Based on what you remember of what you just read, write what you think is the main idea or main conflict—what do you learn about the person or the experience?
3. Go back to the essay and re-read it slowly check if the narrative is focused around this conflict. If you see parts that don’t seem related, write a note on your half-sheet. Maybe they included some other points that might be interesting, but don’t seem necessary to the essay. If you think parts are missing or something isn’t explained, write that down, too.
4. Write down at least 5 questions that you have about the essay for the writer. In particular, write questions if you think it could have more detail. (“When was this? What were you thinking then? How old were you? Who was with you? What did you say? And so on . . .)
5. Write down something you liked about the essay or you thought was well done.
6. Give the notes back to the writer.

In class questions for example essays:

How does the writer begin the story?

How does writer end the story?

Explain the central conflict.

• Mistakes: Mr. Freeman also says that "art is about making mistakes and learning from them" (122). Isn't that what life is also like? How could you use this in your own life?
• Now that you have heard Melinda's version of the story, what do you think she should do? What do you think it means that she has finally acknowledged—at least to herself—what happened that night?