Self-Evaluation

1. How well do you think the writer integrates fact and thought? Where is it nothing but fact? Where is the paper making vague generalizations without reference to any facts? Be specific for the writer. If facts are missing, help them supply quotations or passages from the paper that will support and develop their vague assertions.

From the essay Barn Burning, it is evident that the writer did integrate fact and thought appropriately. The writer cited the subjects when articulating his or her position. Additionally, the writer did not make vague generalizations. He or she ensured that every generalization had a fact that supported it. Hence, the text did not have any vague claims. 

2. Look at each transition from sub-topic to sub-topic. Where is the transition abrupt or unsettling? Where does the paper lack “signposts” to let you know where you’ve been and where you’re going? Where does the writer provide perfunctory transitions like “another reason”? Where do things seem out of order to you?

Based on the transition from one sub-topic to another, a reader would realize that there is an unsettling discussion between the second and the paragraph. For instance, in the last sentence in the second paragraph, the writer informs the audience about what makes the father of Sarty Jealous, which is because Sarty cannot understand the element that creates the distinction between the landowners and the landless. On the first sentence of the third paragraph, continues to discuss the same issue. 

3. Now, look at each individual quotation. Is there enough context to make the quotation sensible? Is there commentary that indicates the importance of the quotation to the writer’s point? Where could he explain or analyze the quotation in more detail?

On the individual quotation, the writer did not have any references in the text. No commentary showed the significance of quoting the point of the writer. In many cases, one need to make individual quotes when articulating his position. For instance, the author should have made sensible quotes, when informing the audience about the acts that the subject got involved.  

4. Comment on the overall feeling of the paper. Does the author seem to know what he’s doing? Do you have confidence in his conclusions? Does the writer present herself as knowledgable? Thoughtful? Wellinformed? A careful reader?

In general, the writer did a fair job. The paper shows that he seems to be partially aware of what he needed to do. He needed to include either quotes or citations to support his arguments, which are not present in the text. Thus, the conclusion of the essay may be invalid since there was no supporting evidence in the paper.