Peer Review

Each module begins with a Concept in Action activity. These informal activities introduce key rhetorical concepts and discuss how they can be applied in your writing in and outside of class. To complete the activity, open a Google or Word doc and follow along with each prompt – starting with Exercise 01. This is a space to get messy with learning as you build your understanding of key rhetorical concepts. You will be graded based on completion of the activity.

Concept in Action: Why Peer Review Matters

Peer review isnt just a classroom routine or a box to check. Its a powerful tool for learning, collaboration, and growth. When we approach it with the right mindset, peer review helps us become more reflective writers, more thoughtful readers, and better communicators. At its core, peer review is about mutual support: we help each other improve, and in the process, we improve ourselves.

Exercise 01: Free Write on Peer Review Experiences

Take 35 minutes to reflect on the following:

• What comes to mind when you hear the term “peer review”?
• Have your past peer review experiences been helpful, frustrating, or confusing? Why?
• What would make peer review feel more useful or meaningful for you?

Peer Review Matters

Writing is a social activity. No matter how experienced you are, you need readers to understand how your writing is working. Peer review gives you a chance to hear from those readers while you still have time to revise.

Scholar Bill Hart-Davidson calls this “giver’s gain”: when you give helpful feedback, you also improve your own understanding of writing. Melissa Meeks explains it this way: What you read, you too can imitate; what you detect, you too can correct; what you explain, you too can retain; what you suggest, you too can try.”

Writing scholar Peter Elbow also reminds us that feedback is most useful when it comes from a place of appreciation. When we read generously, we respond more effectively.

Peer review is also a chance to practice durable skills that matter far beyond the classroom:

• Empathy: Trying to understand your peers goals.
• Critical Thinking: Evaluating what works and what needs clarity.
• Communication: Expressing feedback clearly and kindly.
• Adaptability: Tailoring your review to different assignments and stages.
• Reflective Thinking: Learning from others and applying feedback to your own growth.

Exercise 02: Characteristics of Effective Feedback

Adaptability + Strategic Thinking

Effective feedback is tailored to fit the assignment, the writers stage, and their goals. This builds the same flexible thinking needed in collaborative work environments.

Focus Your Comments

Dont try to comment on everything. Choose two or three key areas to focus onlike the clarity of the thesis, the strength of the argument, or organization. Avoid grammar corrections unless they significantly affect meaning.

Use a Supportive Tone

Write like yourselfkind, honest, and respectful. Straub reminds us to sound like readers who care about helping, not critics looking for errors.

Be Specific and Complete

Short comments like awkward or unclear arent helpful on their own. Explain what you mean and offer a suggestion. Use full sentences to share your understanding of what the writer is trying to do.

Clarity + Constructive Feedback

Saying what works and what needs improvementclearly and with examplesis a habit that makes feedback more useful, whether youre editing, writing, or reviewing a product design.

Balance Praise and Suggestions

A good review includes both. Straub encourages us to praise whats working while also pointing out what could be stronger. If a draft still needs a lot of work, focus on a few high-impact suggestions. And when something is effective, say so!

Collaborative Communication

When you acknowledge whats working while offering thoughtful suggestions, you show that youre engaging with your peer as a partner in learningnot just as a critic.

Writing scholar Peter Elbow suggests that readers help writers most by being genuinely appreciative. When we read with generosity, were more likely to offer helpful, encouraging feedback.

Exercise 03: Using Peer Review in this Class

Richard Straubs article “RespondingReally Responding to Other Students’ Writing” reminds us not to act like teachers, but to respond like thoughtful readers. Heres how to do that:

Set Clear Goals

Start by knowing what youre aiming for. Your main goal is to help your peer grow as a writer. You might also have personal goalslike getting better at giving feedback or deepening your understanding of the assignment.

Understand the Context

Look at the assignment, the draft, and where your classmate is in the writing process. Use the rubric to guide your review, and pay attention to any specific questions or comment requests from your peer.

The Describe-Evaluate-Suggest (DES) Method

The DescribeEvaluateSuggest method, developed by Eli Review, is a structured way to give useful feedback. It helps you slow down and focus your comments.

DES Method and ExamplesMethodExampleDescribe: Say what you see.”This paragraph introduces your personal story and sets a reflective tone.”Evaluate: Say how well it works.”This aligns well with the assignments requirement to reflect on writing identity.”Suggest: Offer a specific improvement.”You could connect this experience more clearly to your current writing habits.”

This structure encourages you to focus on one moment in the draft, rather than jumping from sentence to sentence. It makes your feedback clearer and more actionable.

Exercise 04: Peer Review Outside of Class

Peer review isnt limited to school. Anytime you give or receive feedbackon a work project, a social media post, a presentation, or even a textyoure practicing peer review principles.

Whether youre reviewing a coworkers proposal or asking a friend to proofread your email, thoughtful feedback helps improve communication. In fact, this courseand this very textwas peer reviewed by several people using these same principles.

Durable Skill Spotlight: Communication + Professionalism

Whether youre reviewing a rsum, a proposal, or a social media post, peer review shows up in everyday interactions. When you apply the same valuesclarity, respect, honestyyou show professionalism and build stronger relationships.

Lesson Citations

• Elbow, Peter. . College English, vol. 55, no. 2, 1993, pp. 187206. https://boisestate.on.worldcat.org/oclc/425407616
• Meeks, M. (2017, March 28). . ELI Review. https://elireview.com/2017/03/28/givers-gain/
• Straub, R. (1993). RespondingReally Responding to Other Students Writing. In W. Bishop (Ed.), The Subject Is Writing: Essays by Teachers and Students (pp. 136146). Boynton/Cook.
• Eli Review. (2014, December 29). . YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzdBRRQhYv4