How to Write a Peer Critique in School

Oftentimes in college or high school, you will have to write a peer critique for your classmates' work. Sometimes this can be difficult because you don't want to feel mean for criticizing someone. It's important to keep in mind that your criticism, if made constructively, will help your peer much more than if you just tell them their work is perfect. When writing a peer critique, there's a fine line between being helpful and just being mean. With time and a bit of intuition, you can tell the difference with no problem. Then all that's left is to write the critique itself.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Your peer's work (essay, creative writing)
• A pen, preferably with colored ink
• A word processing program or notebook

1. Read your peer's draft. As you read, use your pen to make comments in the margins or underline points where you are confused. Be sure to read the entire draft before you make any judgments about it.

2. Think about your peer's draft. For an essay, does the argument have a logical flow? For creative writing, is the plot creative or cliche?

3. Start writing or typing your critique. Point out the good parts of the draft first. Always start with the parts your peer did well on. If she used outstanding evidence, mention that. If her imagery or character development is effective, tell her.

4. Use discretion when commenting about negative aspects of your peer's work. Try not to comment on stylistic or word choices unless the work is hard to understand. Remember that your peer has his own style just like you have your own style. Both can be effective.

5. Explain why you made the comments you did. Say why you think certain things are effective and why others are not. Encourage her to use more of the effective techniques you point out. Make suggestions to your peer about how she can improve or fix the weaknesses of her draft. She may not have thought of something that you have.

Tips & Warnings

• Be encouraging. Show that you have confidence that your peer can improve his draft.

• Always find something you like about the draft. Every draft will have at least one aspect that it does well.

• Be aware of your peer's limitations. For example, if his native language is not the language you are writing in, do not hold this against him.

• Do not make a critique personal. If you do not like a particular person but must critique them, do not allow your emotions to interfere.