Conducting Peer Reviews
Before you read and while you read the paper
- Find out what the writer is intending to do in the paper (purpose) and what the intended audience is.
- Find out what the writer wants from a reader at this stage.
- Read (or listen) to the entire draft before commenting.
What to include in your critique
- Praise what works well in the draft; point to specific passages.
- Comment on large issues first (Does the draft respond to the assignment? Are important and interesting ideas presented? Is the main point clear and interesting? Is there a clear focus? Is the draft effectively organized? Is the sequence of points logical? Are ideas adequately developed? If appropriate, is the draft convincing in its argument? Is evidence used properly?). Go on to smaller issues later (awkward or confusing sentences, style, grammar, word choice, proofreading).
- Time is limited (for your response and for the author's revision), so concentrate on the most important ways the draft could be improved.
- Comment on whether the introduction clearly announces the topic and suggests the approach that will be taken; on whether ideas are clear and understandable.
- Be specific in your response (explain where you get stuck, what you don't understand) and in your suggestions for revision. And as much as you can, explain why you're making particular suggestions.
- Try describing what you see (or hear) in the paper--what you see as the main point, what you see as the organizational pattern.
- Identify what's missing, what needs to be explained more fully. Also identify what can be cut.
Organization - - Is there a clear introduction, body, and conclusion?
- Does the introduction provide sufficient background for the reader? Are the "who," "where," "why," "what," and "how" questions addressed?
- Is there a thesis sentence? Is the purpose of the essay clear?
- Does the essay move from general to specific?
- Are there sufficient transitions between related ideas?
- Is the overall organization murky or clean? In other words, does the writer avoid introducing new material in the conclusion or switching subjects in the middle of a paragraph in the body?
- Does every paragraph address the subject matter of the thesis in some way?
Content and Style -
- Does the essay show that the writer has a knowledge of the audience?
- Is the length appropriate and adequate?
- Has the writer used sufficient examples and detail to make his or her points clearly?
- Has the assignment been addressed?
- Is the tone of the essay appropriate?
- Has the writer avoided insulting the reader?
- Is the tone of the essay professional and appropriate?
- Is the language convincing, clear, and concise?
- Has the writer used fresh language and a creative approach?
How to criticize appropriately
- Be honest (but polite and constructive) in your response
- Don't argue with the author or with other respondents.
- What is one thing the writer does well in this essay?
- What is the one big thing the writer needs to work on with this essay?
- What is the writer's main point? Phrase it briefly in your own words.
- Is the main point an arguable assertion (it should be)? Could someone argue an opposing or contrasting point of view? What would that contrasting point be?
- Does the essay offer insights that go beyond the obvious and offer original observations? How so? Did you learn something new from reading the essay? What? Why not?
- Does the introduction lead up to the thesis in a smooth, informative way? If not, what do you suggest the writer do?
- Is the thesis placed in a clear manner near the end of the introduction?
- Does each paragraph begin with a topic sentence? Do the topic sentences correctly describe the main points of the paragraphs?
- Does each of the topic sentences tie back to the thesis?
- Are the paragraphs proportionately balanced? Are there any really short paragraphs that could be developed more? Long paragraphs that could be broken or shortened?
- Does each paragraph develop one main idea? What are the main ideas of each of the paragraphs? Write them out briefly (5 words or less each). If any paragraph is particularly difficult to pin down, perhaps the focus is off.
- Does the writer offer evidence for the points he or she makes in each paragraph? If so, is the evidence convincing?
- Does the conclusion briefly summarize in a fresh way the writer's main argument and then end on a memorable note (such as a quotation, thought, image, or call to action)? What is that memorable impression that the conclusion leaves?
- Are quotations integrated smoothly? Do they flow with the grammar of the sentence? Are authors named in signal phrases or source titles put in parentheses after the quotations?
- Is there a Works Cited page reflecting each author quoted in the body of the essay?
- Are the entries of the Works Cited page in correct MLA format? Are they alphabetized? Does each entry have all the necessary citation information? Does the Works Cited section appear on its own page?
- Is the essay itself formatted correctly (one-inch margins, 12 font Times New Roman text, double-spacing, correct personal details on first page, header with last name and page number)?
- Does the essay have a creative title that describes the purpose/point of the paper in a catchy, clear way?
- Are there grammar and spelling errors in the essay?
- If you were writing this essay, what would you do differently? Why?
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