Q Overview Finding and arguing for the common ground in an issue can be difficult, especially when the issue is important to you. It can be easy to lose objectivity and begin to argue for your own position. Giving and receiving peer reviews on your synthesis essay can help you determine if your body sections remain neutral, if your focus remains tight, and if your development and evidence are specific and clear. You should spend approximately 3 hours on this assignment. Instructions 1. Post your completed draft of the Module 4 Assignment: Common Ground Synthesis Essay by the date listed on the schedule. 2. Save your document as a .doc or .pdf file, and attach it to your posting. Post your draft early; if you post your draft late, you may not get any comments at all. Include a short version of your title in the subject line of your post. 3. Think: Here are some questions to think about when offering your peer review: o Does the introduction explain the significance of the topic? o Does the essay include a clear, specific thesis statement? Does the thesis show what the writer’s solution or third perspective will be? o Does the essay include topic sentences and transitions to organize the body paragraphs? o Does the essay clearly identify the positions of two opposing sides of a debate? o Does the essay synthesize these two positions to show their common ground? o Does the essay draw on that common ground to create a solution to the issue that benefits each side or to create a third perspective that offers compromise to the positions? o Does the essay develop specific evidence for the ideas? Does the essay quote specific words and phrases from the articles that support the claims? o Does the essay include in-text citations, correctly formatted in MLA Style, for each quotation and paraphrase? o Does the essay include a conclusion paragraph that synthesizes the main points and offers closure? 4. Write: Complete a thorough peer review for at least two of your classmates. Post your review by replying to the writer's post in the forum. Choose an essay that has either not yet been reviewed or that has only one review so far. Offer as much feedback as possible: o Address the “Think” questions above o Tell the author what he/she is doing right and what you want more of. o If something is not working for you, don't be afraid to point it out and tell the author why. o Give advice on how to make the changes you suggest. o Be specific! 5. Post one original post (with your essay draft), and reply to at least two of your classmates. In your replies to peers, give your peers specific feedback on their essays as outlined above. Point out strengths. Ask questions and give pointers to help them improve further. Refer specifically to the resources provided in this module. 6. Don't forget that your initial posting is due by the date listed in the Course Schedule. Please post over several days. Points will be lost if you post on only one day of the module. See the Course Schedule and Course Rubrics sections in the Syllabus module for due dates and grading information. See the Grading and Evaluation section in the Syllabus module for general discussion expectations. Rubrics • Discussion Rubric