Overview
Throughout the semester, you will peer edit each other’s papers and provide feedback so that everybody has a chance to rethink, revise, and improve his/her writing. You will carefully read each essay and provide a detailed written response.

Obviously, what you can include in your peer response can vary, depending on the particular strengths and weaknesses of the essay you’re reading. Provided below is a guide for your peer response. It includes a number of questions that address various aspects of writing. Keep in mind, though, that it’s probably impossible (or at least very difficult) for you to answer all the questions. Use these questions simply as a guide for your response. Comment on the aspects that apply.

First and Overall Impressions

• What is your first reaction to the paper?
• What is the central point the writer is trying to make? What is the thesis statement?
• What do you like about the paper and why (the major strengths)?
• What, if any, are the main weakness of the paper?
• What is the most important change the writer should make to improve the paper?

Rhetorical Effect

• Does the writer address the intended audience effectively? Do you feel the writer is talking to you if you were the target audience?
• Does the paper achieve its intended purpose? Can you tell what the intended purpose of the paper is?
• Do you understand what the writer is trying to tell you? Does the writer get his point across?
• Are you convinced or persuaded by the writer?

Meaning

• Do you understand everything? Is the draft misssing any information that you need to know?
• Does this paper tell you everything you didn’t know before?
• Is the writer tying to cover too much territory? Too little?
• Does any point need to be more fully explained or illustrated?
• When you come to the end, has the paper delivered what it promised?
• Could this paper use a down-to-the-ground revision?

Organization

• Does the opening of the paper grab your attention and interest and draws you into the paper’s main idea?
• Does the paper have one main idea, or does it juggle more than one?
• Would the main idea stand out better if anything were removed or added?
• Could the ideas in the paper be more effectively arranged? Do any ideas belong together that now seem too far apart?
• Can you follow the ideas easily? Are transitions needed? If so, where?
• Does the writer keep to one point of view–one angle of seeing?
• Does the ending seem deliberate, as if the writer meant to conclude, not just run of of gas? How might the writer strengthen the conclusion?

Writing Strategies

• Do you object to any statement the writer makes or any wording the writer uses? Is this due to word choice, tone, or inadequate support to convince you? Should the writer keep or change this part?
• Does the draft contain anything that distracts you or seems unnecessary?
• Do you get bored at any point? How might the writer keep you reading?
• Is the language of this paper too lofty and abstract? If so, where does the writer need to come down to earther and get specific?
• Do you understand all the words used? Do any specialized words need clearer definitions?

Grammar and Mechanics

• Are there grammatical and mechanical errors that seriously affect your understanding of the content?
• Are there too many grammatical and mechanical errors?
• Do you see any patterns with the errors?
• What strategy would you suggest for the writer to avoid the repeated errors?

(Adapted from Kennedy, Kennedy, & Muth. (2008). The Bedford
Guide for College Writers. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. p. 377.)