Poetic Parleys Checklist Handout
Part 1: Student Self-Edit
Essay Self-Editing Checklist
For the Three-Poem Comparative Essay (Marlowe, Raleigh, & Williams)
Self-Edit
Writer's Name
Class Period
Date
The Analytical Prompt Core Requirements
How does a shared central idea develop over the course of "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" (Marlowe), "The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd" (Raleigh), and "Raleigh Was Right" (Williams)?
1. Thesis & Argument Structure
Thematic Thesis Statement My introduction ends with a thesis stating the shared central idea and asserting how it changes across the three poems.
Three-Paragraph Development The essay progresses logically from Marlowe's pastoral idealism, through Raleigh's critique, to Williams's modern landscape.
Synthesis Conclusion My concluding paragraph synthesizes how this historical dialogue shifts our view of nature or pastoral hope over time.
2. Textual Evidence Audit
Marlowe's Idealized Offer I have included and unpacked at least one direct quote from "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love".
Raleigh's Practical Reply I have included and unpacked at least one direct quote from "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd".
Williams's Modern Verdict I have included and unpacked at least one direct quote from "Raleigh Was Right".
3. Layout & Formatting
Typographical Standard The text is fully double-spaced in a standard 12-point academic font with 1-inch margins.
Quotation Marks, Not Italics All three poem titles are enclosed strictly in double quotes (e.g., "Raleigh Was Right") and are not italicized.
Seamless Quote Integration No quotes are "dropped" or orphaned. Every quote is embedded into a complete analytical sentence.
4. Grammar & Conventions
Literary Present Tense I discuss the poets' arguments in the active present tense (e.g., "Marlowe depicts rural life," "Williams asserts").
Analytical Perspective I have avoided first-person ("I", "my") and second-person ("you") to keep a formal, objective scholarly voice.
Punctuation & Citations Commas and periods are placed inside the closing quotation mark (e.g., "...with love," and "...Marlowe writes.").
Author’s Final Self-Correction
1. The most insightful connection my essay makes between the three poems is:
2. The specific area I need my peer reviewer to look at closest is:
Part 2: Peer Review & Feedback
Essay Peer-Editing Review Sheet
Constructive Feedback and Requirements Audit
Peer Edit
Writer's Name
Peer Editor's Name
Date of Review
Quick Layout Audit:
Double-Spaced?
3+ Paragraphs?
Standard Font Size?
1. Thesis & Argument Map
Read the essay through once. Then, fill out these quick assessments:
The author's stated central idea is:
Identify how the writer shows the idea shifting:
In Marlowe's poem:
In Raleigh's poem:
In Williams's poem:
2. Quote Verification Audit
Verify and transcribe the first 3 words of the quote the author has chosen for each poem:
Marlowe Quote Used: Page/Para: ____
Framed
Accurate
Raleigh Quote Used: Page/Para: ____
Framed
Accurate
Williams Quote Used: Page/Para: ____
Framed
Accurate
3. Grammar & Citation Watch
No italicized poem titles (verify all three use quotation marks).
Literary present tense used (e.g., "Raleigh objects").
Peer Editorial Critique
Warm Feedback • The strongest point or quote analysis in this essay was:
Cool Feedback • One specific adjustment that will sharpen their central idea thesis is:
