4.5: Peer Review

This chapter is brought you by Sybil Priebe and edited pieces of this Wikibook⁵⁹.

Peer revision has added benefits over self-revision. Other people can notice things in your paper that you didn’t. Some instructors set aside class time for peer review, but even if your instructor doesn’t, it’s a good idea to seek out feedback from a classmate, roommate, a tutor (if your college has a tutoring center), or anyone who can offer a fresh perspective.

If you’re the one who wrote the paper, make sure you tell your peer what your biggest concern with the paper is. If you need help writing a conclusion, you don’t want your peer to spend time circling grammatical mistakes in a paragraph you were thinking about deleting anyway. Remember, your peer isn’t just there to catch your mistakes; he or she might have some ideas about new material you can add to make your paper more exciting.

On the other hand, if you’re the one who is reviewing your peer’s paper, think about what you’d want in his/her place. Ask if there’s anything he’s/she’s having trouble with. Be nice, of course, but don’t be so nice that you aren’t helpful. He/she may like to hear “Good job,” but make sure to explain what you liked about the paper and where you think it could be even better.

Remember, it’s not about whether the paper is good or bad; it’s about how it can be improved.

You have a responsibility to the student whose paper you are reading. Be familiar with the qualities and requirements of the assignment.

Possible List of Peer Revision Questions:

• What is the writer’s purpose?
• Does the writing include all the necessary characteristics of its particular type (cause-and-effect, narrative, research, etc.)?
• Is the writing organized logically?
• Has the writer used language that enhances his/her message?
• Is the writing unified/coherent?
• Did you point out the strength(s) or part(s) you found interesting?
• Is there any part that required more information?
• Is there any part that was irrelevant?
• Did you answer any questions the reader had about his/her writing?

Talking with someone else about your paper will always help you re-evaluate your content. Sometimes it reassures you that you’ve got it right; sometimes it reveals to you the places that need work. It is always a good idea to share your work before submitting the final draft.

Possible Steps in the Peer Review Process:

• Exchange a draft with a classmate, or group of classmates.
• Read it aloud – either the classmate could read your own draft back to you or you could read your own draft to a classmate or group of classmates.
• Answer these questions:
  • Does it fully complete the assignment?
  • Does it speak to its audience properly?
  • Does it contain enough content? Is it missing anything?
  • Does it have a purpose?
  • Is it organized well?
• Give feedback on:
  • Word choice.
  • Style.
  • Sentence structure.
  • Transitions.
  • Readability.
  • Coherence.
  • Details.
• Have a chat about your drafts.
• Revise the draft taking into account the feedback you received.

STUDENT EXAMPLE: PEER REVIEW

Title of Assignment: Dear Me at age 15

Details: Write a letter to your younger self; you get to choose the age, but I would suggest anywhere from 10-15. What do you want to tell your younger self? What advice do you have right now? You can be serious or funny; it’s your letter to YOU.

DEAR ME AT 15 - FIRST DRAFT

Dear Julia,

How are you? Are you shocked that I am writing to you from the future? Me too. Here are some things I wanted to tell you:

When it comes to the family, Mom and Dad are about to get a divorce. But it is not your fault. Don’t blame yourself. They are unhappy, and I think you can feel that in the apartment when they are around together. Maybe you don’t feel comfortable, and I don’t think they do either.

All your friends will see changes too in their lives. Being a teenager sucks, and you should just realize that right away. Braces suck your teeth will look great later on tho.

DEAR ME AT 15 - SECOND DRAFT

Dear Julia,

How are you? Are you shocked that I am writing to you from the future? Me too. Here are some things I wanted to tell you: Mom & Dad are about to divorce. This crushes you because you think it is your fault. It isn’t. You should focus your energy on your little sister, Hayley. She starts to rebel because of the divorce.

All your friends will see changes too in their lives. Tanya’s parents’ divorce and you are both sad together. You two need to support each other and talk about what’s going on. When I was first in your shoes, I ignored a lot of people, but maybe you’ll listen to this letter and do better than me.

DEAR ME AT 15 - PEER REVIEW [STUDENT REVIEWER’S NOTES IN BRACKETS]

Dear Julia,

How are you? Are you shocked that I am writing to you from the future? Me too. Here are some things I wanted to tell you: Mom & Dad are about to divorce. This crushes you because you think it is your fault. It isn’t. [Maybe you should say more about why it’s not your fault?] You should focus your energy on your little sister, Hayley. She starts to rebel because of the divorce. [How does she rebel? What specifics should your younger self do?]

All your friends will see changes too in their lives. Tanya’s parents’ divorce and you are both sad together. You two need to support each other and talk about what’s going on. When I was first in your shoes, I ignored a lot of people, but maybe you’ll listen to this letter and do better than me. [Give more details here, too. How can your younger self do better this time?]

Assignments or Questions to Consider

(Insert ideas from students or teacher here.)

59 “Basic Writing/Print version.” Wikibooks, The Free Textbook Project. 9 Sep 2008, 16:02 UTC. 11 May 2016, 17:37 . Licensed CC-BY-SA.