Reviewer Evaluation Form: Amanda

LIT 6009: American Novel, Nation, Romanticism, and Imperialism

Reviewer Evaluation Form

This conference will explore the theme, American Novel, Nation, Romanticism, and Imperialism, from a broad perspective, including the emergence of the novel and its different forms (epistolary, gothic, historical fiction, etc.); the novel as a tool for education and/or nationalism; cultural constructions of gender, race, class, citizenship, aliens or the “other”; definitions of national history and/or consciousness; eighteenth- and nineteenth-century sociopolitical contexts and conflicts; romanticism and imperialism, etc.

Organizers seek papers that develop arguments in response to the conference theme, that position new research in relation to ongoing scholarly discussions about the period and individual works in it, and that represent the best expression of new and emerging scholars.

Papers should be 8-10 pp. double-spaced using 12-pt. font. (excluding bibliography/Works Cited).

Manuscript Title: Ruling by Love: A True Womanhood Approach to Education

Recommendation:
Accept _____
Revise and resubmit __x___
Reject _____

Evaluation: Please consider the overall effectiveness of the essay and how well it suits the conference forum (described above). Here you will highlight the specific strengths of the argument and areas for revision.

Jay-Jay Stroup’s paper definitely fits the criteria of the conference paper in relation to the roles of women in nineteenth century America. She details the amount and type of power given to such women—power that was gained by Mary working within the strictures that were imposed on her to overcome them. Stroup is very concise and uses the primary text often to make and back up her points. Overall, the paper looks good.

Specific Suggestions for Revision: Please describe specific points in the essay that will benefit from revision and make suggestions about how to undertake that activity. Pay particular attention to the clarity, specificity, and strength with which the argument is advanced; the demonstrated knowledge of the text and period; the distinction between the writer’s views and those of other scholars; the development of each point of argument with textual evidence; areas in which the argument lacks cohesiveness, evidence, or precision; and the contribution of this argument to the field. Please note broad areas in which the niceties of grammar, syntax, style of written expression, or MLA citation style need attention.

Overall, I haven’t too many criticisms. I am a little concerned that she only used three sources—granted, three sources used well (and they are) are better than six or seven used badly. As for mechanical errors, if I found them I marked them in the text.There are just a couple questions that I had that might be useful to consider in the final draft:What exactly is Mrs. Burnam’s education herself, and how did she teach Mary? Do these teaching methods parallel each other in any way?

Date sent to Reader: ________________
Date Returned: 4/20/09
Reader's Signature Amanda Ewoldt