Preparing to Peer Review

With lesson 1:3 assignments you are practicing four writing techniques:

1. The art of definition — and the importance of always considering your reader’s needs first.
2. The art of Peer Review
3.  Self-editing based on review
4. Reflection on your writing techniques

 Assignment #1: Definitions, should not present too much of a challenge as long as you keep your focus on satisfying the needs of a novice reader and the instructions in our textbook.

Assignment # 2: Peer Review, is more likely to be a challenge for those of you who have not had previous experience with providing peer review.

I have a few tips for you to follow:

• Your task is to provide feedback, both positive and critical comments — on all relevant elements of the document:
  • To do so, create a list of the important parts of the document.
  • For example:
    • have the audience’s needs be met?  If so, why? If not, why not?
    • Is the chosen term appropriate for the assignment?  If so, why? If not, why not?
    • Are the diagrams or visuals helpful? If so, why? If not, why not?
    • Are the visuals correctly labelled and cited?
    • Proof read for typos, spelling, and phrasing and suggest improvements where required, and/or comment on the quality of the writing positively. What makes it good writing?

You can add to the above list, and you also have a hand-out to help your phrase your comments for this first peer review.

The point is to know what you are looking for before you begin to read the document, in order to ensure your review is complete and both positive and critical.

Be sure to also concern yourself with the organization and layout of your peer review. Follow the textbook guidelines on organization and layout and the following tips on how to organize Peer Reviews:

Organizing Peer Reviews:

• Peer reviews should be organized with sub-headings and bullet points
• Sub-headings should include each element of the document as well as general elements
• First Impressions is a good way to begin a review
• For example: The Definition Peer review could have the following subheadings (bolded):
  • First Impressions:
  • Organization:
  • Introduction:
  • Definitions:
  • Visuals:
  • Grammar/Typos:
  • Works Cited:
  • Concluding comments with a bullet list of suggested revisions

Assignment # 3: Self editing and reflections on your writing techniques.

After you receive your peer review you will self-edit your definition and post the this draft on your reflections blog. You will find that the process of reading your peer’s work with a critical eye, is as valuable as the review you will receive. The lesson has clear instructions on what I expect from your reflections. Please read instructions carefully and follow closely. Post your questions on our CHAT page.

Thank you and enjoy.