Peer Review Self-Test

1. Peer comments should be mostly negative, with just one or two positive comments.

True

False

Peer Review is a balanced process, like the concept of yin and yang. If comments are not balanced between positive and negative, the review won’t work.

Explanation

Peer Review is a balanced process, like the concept of yin and yang. If comments are not balanced between positive and negative, the review won’t work.

2. You must support all of your comments in a peer review letter with specific examples from the essay.

True

False

3. A good peer review partner reads the essay the expectatiosn of the writer's intended audience in mind, not their own.

True

False

4. In writing, "criticism" always means that you are being mean or cutting down your peer partners.

True

False

“Critical” does not always mean “bad” or “negative.” In writing, in fact, “critical” is a good thing. When we get “criticism” on our writing, it means that someone is taking the time to give thoughtful suggestions on how to improve it.
When you are writing critical comments on a peer’s work, you are not being mean or cutting them down. You are doing them a huge favor, by applying your time and intellect to the goal of helping your partner write a better essay.

Explanation

“Critical” does not always mean “bad” or “negative.” In writing, in fact, “critical” is a good thing. When we get “criticism” on our writing, it means that someone is taking the time to give thoughtful suggestions on how to improve it.
When you are writing critical comments on a peer’s work, you are not being mean or cutting them down. You are doing them a huge favor, by applying your time and intellect to the goal of helping your partner write a better essay.

5. A good peer review partner pretends to be part of the writer's intended audience

True

False

6. Just give general overall feedback when you are writing peer review letters.

True

False

Be Specific. Point out precise places in the essay where it can be improved or where it is working well. Don’t generalize.

Explanation

Be Specific. Point out precise places in the essay where it can be improved or where it is working well. Don’t generalize.

7. What is the Cardnial Rule of Peer Review?

Nothing is ever perfect.

If something is really good already, don't worry about it.

Content is king, grammar doesn't matter

Nothing is Perfect. Everything can be improved.

Explanation

Nothing is Perfect. Everything can be improved.

8. Which of the following things shoudl you pay attention to when you are reading a partner's essay for content?

Can you easily find or assume a thesis?

Can you articulate the author’s thesis in a few words?

Does the essay seem to be arranged logically?

Are there clear transitions between ideas?

Does the author clearly and specifically explain examples?

Look for places where you are confused or don’t understand the writer’s point. Take notes on this.

Look for anything in the essay that you don’t think matches up to audience expectations. Take notes on why.

Write two major things the essay needs to improve.

Write down two major things the essay does well.

Submit

Peer Review Self-test

1. Peer comments should be mostly negative, with just one or two positive comments.

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. You must support all of your comments in a peer review letter with specific examples from the essay.

3. A good peer review partner reads the essay the expectatiosn of the writer's intended audience in mind, not their own.

4. In writing, "criticism" always means that you are being mean or cutting down your peer partners.

5. A good peer review partner pretends to be part of the writer's intended audience

6. Just give general overall feedback when you are writing peer review letters.

7. What is the Cardnial Rule of Peer Review?

8. Which of the following things shoudl you pay attention to when you are reading a partner's essay for content?

9. What are the five things a peer reviewer should look for when reading an essay for quality?