Peer Editing

• Peer editing guidelines
• Look carefully at the working thesis. Has the author made a debatable claim that is in line with a research paper (NOT A REPORT)? Describe specifically how the thesis could be improved.
• Describe what points you envision that the author will make to support the thesis. (Hint what might be mentioned in the author’s topic sentence outline)
• What are terms that will need to be defined or elaborated upon?
• What contextual/background information is required?
• Suggest how the author should signal where s/he is located within the scholarly conversation taking place on the topic and that this position is distinct from the sources being used to support it?

Below is the Working thesis.

Inquiry Question: What entices people to join cults such as Heaven’s Gate, People’s Temple, and the Manson family?

Working Thesis: Certain characteristics and past traumas have been shown to increase the likelihood that someone would want to join a cult.

Introduction Cults are not a new concept to most people, but many don’t understand how they start and furthermore how they grow. Although, it is understandable why this lack of knowledge has continued to exist. Many former cult members were forced to be vulnerable during their introduction to these groups. If any of them still felt connected in any way shape or form, it has been found that they are less likely to want to talk about their traumatic history. From the people who have been strong enough to share their stories, we have learned that there are common steps that are taken to make these innocent people more intrigued with the idea. Research has also shown that someone’s past, even back to their childhood, can affect their need for feeling included in something greater. Certain characteristics and past traumas have been shown to increase the likelihood that someone would want to join a cult.