In-class Theory Synopsis Peer Review
Here are some prompts to answer as you read each other's theory synopses. Please answer these in turn, before and as you read. Note that NO brief summary can comprehensively cover every point raised by a theorist. The skill and art here is to accurately yet compellingly convey the main characteristics of a theorist's approach, often selectively emphasized depending on your goals as an analyst. The goal for now is to focus on that, not grammar or typos.
1) Before you begin reading:
As writers, what questions/issues in your synopsis would you like the reader to address? You can ask about specific arguments, style, evidence, interpretation, etc.
2) Take 5-10 minutes to read each others' synopses carefully. Then go back and jot down notes or responses to these questions, and look for passages in the text to help you.
- A) Opening lines: Did the author accurately and/or compellingly characterize the main argument of the theorist(s)? Anything crucial missing? Anything particularly interesting or innovative?
- B) Did the author accurately portray the main phenomena addressed by the author? Did you get a sense of how the theorist used empirical evidence to make claims?
- C) Did the author delineate and accurately define key concepts used by the theorist? Anything crucial missing? Anything particularly interesting or innovative?
- D) Did you get a sense of important underlying assumptions or logics presumed by the theorist? Any important metaphors mentioned? Anything crucial missing?
- E) Did the author use adequate evidence from the text (page numbers, brief direct quotes, accurate paraphrases) to portray the theorist's goals, arguments and assumptions? Did you feel like you needed more? how?
3) Take 5 minutes each to talk through your feedback for each other with reference to the texts.
4) Come up with a follow-up question about the theorist(s) arguments you want to pose to the class.
5) Individually revise your theory synopsis and hand them in by Friday 8 pm via Moodle.