Writing a Peer Review

The peer review process involves giving feedback to classmates and getting help from them on writing. Peer editing is a powerful tool in the writing process for students. They learn about how other writers approach the writing process and how to evaluate a draft for organization and content, all while learning valuable social skills as they express their comments on their peers' papers.

Time Frame

Get the peer review process started as soon as students have completed their first essay draft. Students should bring in copies of their work that is typed and double-spaced so that the reviewer can easily read the paper and make comments directly on it.

Group Size

Small groups of no more than four students work well, but students should feel free to move to another group if they are not getting the feedback for their work that they need.

Benefits to Teacher

With a well-ordered peer review process in place, teachers no longer have to spend hours grading student writing.

Benefits to Student Writer

Students get to know and trust one another as they review each other's work and discuss specific writing problems.

Suggestions

Peer editors make specific suggestions for improving essays, such as altering word choice or checking the organization of the paper.

Questions

Peer reviewers can ask questions about any unclear writing, such as mechanical errors or lack of clarity and unity.

Reviewer Etiquette

Peer reviewers should always strive to say at least one good thing about the essay they are reviewing, and make at least one helpful suggestion.

Resources

• An Introduction to Peer Review

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