Peer Response
What Does the Writer Need? Ask the writer what feedback is needed on the paper—this helps you focus your reading. If you are the writer, bring questions for your peers to focus on as they read.
Focus on the Big Picture! Ask the writer to read aloud while you follow along. Read the whole paper through and if you see those annoying misplaced commas and “teh”s, circle them to get them out of your system. Then return to the paper, this time reading silently, to think about bigger concerns such as whether it meets the assignment’s expectations, has a clear thesis, or makes a strong argument.
A Couple of Big-Picture Questions You Might Consider:
What’s the Assignment? What is the assignment asking the writer to do? How does the paper meet that assignment?
What’s the Point? Summarize the main point of the paper. This is a way for the writer to check clarity in meaning, and a way for you to communicate to the writer what ideas are most prominent to potential readers.
Write on the Paper, But Don’t Rewrite The Paper. Avoid rewriting or rephrasing your peer’s words. Focus instead on explaining your reaction as a reader. For example, mark places you really like with a star and places where you are confused or have a suggestion with a question mark. On another sheet of paper, explain each of those stars and question marks.
Be Yourself. Don’t try to be your teacher. Instead, read and respond as a peer—someone who has certain types and kinds of knowledge. You are uniquely positioned to contribute to your peer’s writing, and to learn from the paper.
Brainstorm Titles! Titles are not mere accessories to a paper! Titles are an important way of conveying your paper’s argument. Ask your reviewers to help you generate titles that go beyond “Paper 1,” “Technical Report,” or “The Civil War,” but which give a sense of the paper’s point. Spend a bit of your time brainstorming new titles together.
Group Process
- Pair off with a partner.
- Looking at the paper together, the writer should read it aloud straight through to the end. The reader can point to or circle any annoying errors during this process, but should not stop the reading to correct them. You have only 8-10 minutes for this step.
- Tell the writer your first impressions.
- The writer must listen and make notes on the draft for revisions, but may not speak.
- Read the second paper the same way.
- Exchange papers.
- Read silently this time, avoiding rewriting or rephrasing. Explain your reaction as a reader. Mark places you really like with a star and places where you are confused or have a suggestion with a question mark. On another sheet of paper, make notes for each of those stars and question marks.
- After you have read and made written comments, stop to talk.
- Summarize the paper’s main point and tell the writer how you reacted. If you have an idea for a title, this would be a great time to suggest it.
- When your reader gives you feedback, just listen and make notes. Remember, you do not have to agree or the advice offered.
