Peer Review

Peer review is a process in which students read and critique one another's work. The job of the reviewer is to read the paper thoughtfully and critically and to provide written comments about its strengths and weaknesses. As a reviewer your goal is to serve as a "supportive critic" by giving feedback that will help your classmates improve their papers. The process of critiquing should help to improve your thinking and writing, and the feedback you get from your peers should also help enhance the quality of your paper.

  1. Come to class with your best possible draft.
  2. Alert your reader to any concerns you have before they begin to read.
  3. Ask questions and take notes as you are discussing your writing.
  4. Try not to get defensive. Be grateful for your reader’s time and attention.
  5. At the same time, do not feel obligated to take all of your reader’s advice. Remember that readers’ opinions may differ and that you are ultimately responsible for your paper.

The above strategies are most effective when your paper is reviewed by a helpful reader. You have an opportunity to be that kind of reader for others by observing the following guidelines as you review their writing:

  1. Ask the writer what you can be looking for as you read their essay.
  2. Read the writer’s essay carefully.
  3. Respond as a reader, pointing out where things do not make sense, read smoothly, etc.
  4. Be positive. Point out strengths as well as weaknesses, and be sensitive in how you phrase your criticism (“Could you clarify this section?” rather than “Your organization is a mess.”)
  5. Be honest. Do not say something works when it does not. You’re not helping the writer if you avoid mentioning a problem.
  6. Be specific. Rather than simply saying a paragraph is “confusing,” for example, try to point to a specific phrase that confuses you and, if possible, explain why that phrase is problematic.
  7. Focus on one or two major areas for revision.

INSTRUCTIONS
Read the paper assigned to you.  Answer the questions below.

ORGANIZATION

  1. Were the basic sections (Introduction, Conclusion, Literature Cited, etc.) adequate? If not, what is missing?
  2. Was the material ordered in a way that was logical, clear, easy to follow? Explain.

GRAMMAR AND STYLE

  1. Were there any grammatical or spelling problems?
  2. Was the writer’s writing style clear? Were the paragraphs and sentences cohesive?

CONTENT

  1. Did the writer adequately summarize and discuss the topic? Explain.
  2. Did the writer make some contribution of thought to the paper, or merely summarize data or publications? Explain.