Peer Review

There are times when we write in solitary and intend to keep our words private. However, in many cases, we use writing as a way of communicating. We send messages, present and explain ideas, share information, and make arguments. One way to improve the effectiveness of this written communication is through peer-review.

In the most general of terms, peer-review is the act of having another writer read what you have written and respond in terms of its effectiveness. This reader attempts to identify the writing's strengths and weaknesses, and then suggests strategies for revising it. The hope is that not only will the specific piece of writing be improved, but that future writing attempts will also be more successful. 

Questions to Use

When doing peer-review, there are different ways to focus a response. You can use questions that are about the qualities of an essay or the different parts of an essay.

The qualities of an essay 

Organization

1. Is there a clearly stated purpose/objective? 

2. Are there effective transitions? 

3. Are the introduction and conclusion focused on the main point of the essay? 

4. As a reader, can you easily follow the writer's flow of ideas? 

5. Is each paragraph focused on a single idea? 

6. At any point in the essay, do you feel lost or confused? 

7. Do any of the ideas/paragraphs seem out of order, too early or too late to be as effective as they could?

Development and Support

1. Is each main point/idea made by the writer clearly developed and explained? 

2. Is the support/evidence for each point/idea persuasive and appropriate? 

3. Is the connection between the support/evidence, main point/idea, and the overall point of the essay made clear? 

4. Is all evidence adequately cited?

Style

1. Are the topic and tone of the essay appropriate for the audience? 

2. Are the sentences and word choices varied?

Grammar and Mechanics

1. Does the writer use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling? 

2. Are there any issues with any of these elements that make the writing unreadable or confusing?

Revision Strategy Suggestions

1. What are two or three main revision suggestions that you have for the writer?

The parts of an essay 

Introduction

1. Is there an introduction? 

2. Is it effective? 

3. Is it concise? 

4. Is it interesting? 

5. Does the introduction give the reader a sense of the essay's objective and entice the reader to read on?

Body

1. Does it meet the objective stated in the introduction? 

2. Does it stay focused on this objective or are there places it strays? 

3. Is it organized logically? 

4. Is each paragraph focused on a single idea? 

5. Is each idea thoroughly explained and supported with good evidence? 

6. Are there transitions and are they effective?

Conclusion

1. Is there a conclusion? 

2. Does it work?

3. Revision Strategy Suggestions

4. What are two or three main revision suggestions that you have for the writer?

Assignment:

1. Revise the essay you have written according to peer reviews you have received.

2. Underline the thesis statement of your essay, identify the argumentation model that you used.