Tips for Peer Reviewing a Report Proposal

Before you read the document —  prepare a list of headings and sub-headings designed to match the requirements of the assignment in mind. Consider each and every element of the assignment and make a list of possible headings:

• First Impressions of content; write a paragraph to your peer that generalizes your first impression upon reading the document – begin with the positive and also provide a general critical comment (unless of course the document is outstanding and you can find no room for improvements).
• Overall document lay-out and design;
  • Titles and subheadings – are they highlighted, are they appropriate and well composed?
  • Diagrams and visuals, are they useful, large enough, correctly labeled and referred to in the text?
  • References or Works cited list: is it correct according to MLA or APA style rules? Alphabetical?
• Make a heading for each and every element of the assignment and review how your peer has handled each element, highlighting the successes and  pointing out the problems. For example:
  • Introduction
  • Statement of Problem
  • Proposed Solution … and so on, follow the example of a proposal on page 543 in the textbook.

• Consider Grammar and problems of expression last. Be specific and use bullet points to organize your suggested corrections.

• Conclude with general statements that summarizes your review and includes a bullet list of suggested edits.

After you have written your review, return to the proposal and give a little more time to think creatively about what your peer is proposing to investigate, and the overall  scope and ‘idea’ behind the proposal, and see if you can think of some creative suggestions for your peer in terms of their particular investigation. In other words, do a little a brainstorming for your peer and offer some ideas to further their own thinking. Then return to your review and include these ideas where appropriate, or in the concluding paragraph.