In the peer review below, I used a student’s 3rd essay to illustrate how I peer review. When I peer-review for someone, I do my best to not just give advice on grammar or vocabulary. I try to give insight on how to explain quotes or tell them when an explanation doesn’t relate to the thesis. For example, one of my comments was, “Explain this. What do you mean to “look deeper.” The claim and quote are strong, but continue to argue for it.” This was in reference to a paragraph Yo-Yo Ma and was discussing how art can teach people, but the paragraph ended with the reader being in question. It wasn’t clear and therefore needed more. However, this is why peer review is important. Clearly the student thought it made sense because she wrote it. However, it didn’t make sense to the reader. The same thing can be applied to me. By seeing other people’s papers, it spurred so many questions into my head about my essay that I found problems in my essay that I wouldn’t have realized existed if it wasn’t for peer review. I would also gain insight on ideas from reading author’s essays. Maybe someone looks at a quote differently from the way I do. By seeing these ideas, I can also incorporate those same perspectives into. my ideas, and make a connection to my thesis.
Another part of peer review that is important is making sure the writer knows what’s good and should be kept in the essay. For example, one of my comments on the student’s essay was, “Defiantly your best paragraph. I love how you reacted art to the article you selected.” I personally like these “nicer” comments because it gives hope to the writer that they are on the right track. Honestly, it’s more of a mind game for me because it builds confidence when I see those types of comments. It tells me I have the ability to write an A quality baby if I keep it up.
Comments and 150 word comment. are both in the file.
