This week's forum is a peer review of our essays for the class. It is important that we give honest and good feedback to our classmates in order for them to strengthen their essays and submit the best paper they can.

Some Pointers:

1. Direct your comments to the essay, and not the person. In other words your feedback should say something like: The thesis of the essay needs some work. NOT --- You need to change your thesis.

2. Be courteous, but also direct.

3. Begin your feedback with at least one positive comment about the essay.

4. Offer at least one change you think is needed. This can include grammatical errors.

5. In the end, you are the author of the essay, so it is up to you to use or not use the suggestions from your classmates.

Part I: Post your thesis for the final project. Be sure that it takes a position and specifically addresses the literature you are discussing.

Part II: Post a rough draft of your final project (at least 300 words).

This week your replies should be very specific. Please include the following in each reply:

First, give at least one positive comment.

If you read the same book, please note one point you agree with and one that you did not (or you think it wasn't fully proven in the essay).

Support your dissent with evidence from the text. If you read a different book, focus on your classmates definition of American.

Please offer one possible change that might help your classmate build a stronger essay.