Peer Review Self-Test

1.

A good peer review partner pretends to be part of the writer’s intended audience

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
A. True

2.

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

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
A. True

3.

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

A.

Can you easily find or assume a thesis?
B.

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

Does the essay seem to be arranged logically?
D.

Are there clear transitions between ideas?
E.

Does the author clearly and specifically explain examples?
F.

Does the author assume too much knowledge about the topic on the part of the audience? Look for places where the essay can improve, even if you think it’s already great. Take notes on this.
G.

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

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

Write two major things the essay needs to improve.
J.

Write down two major things the essay does well.

Correct Answer(s)
A. Can you easily find or assume a thesis?
B. Can you articulate the author’s thesis in a few words?
C. Does the essay seem to be arranged logically?
D. Are there clear transitions between ideas?
E. Does the author clearly and specifically explain examples?

4.

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

Correct Answer(s)
Look for places where the essay can improve, even if you think it’s already great.
Look for places where you are confused or don’t understand the writer’s point.
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.

5.

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

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
B. False

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.

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6.

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

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
B. False

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.

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7.

What is the Cardnial Rule of Peer Review?

A.

Nothing is ever perfect.
B.

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

Content is king, grammar doesn't matter

Correct Answer
A. Nothing is ever perfect.

Explanation
Nothing is Perfect. Everything can be improved.

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8.

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

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
B. False

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

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9.

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

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
A. True

Peer Review Self-test

A good peer review partner pretends to be part of the writer’s intended audience

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

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

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

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

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

What is the Cardnial Rule of Peer Review?

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

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