Teamwork: How you should Peer Review

Peer Review is about giving, not receiving. This process is to help out your fellow classmates by providing helpful constructive suggestions regarding their projects. Instead of asking yourself, “How is my group helping me?”, ask yourself: “Have I been helpful enough for my group?”

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. You are not the teacher, so don't act like a know it all. You are not the writer, so don't be bossy. You are the reader. If you don't understand what they have written, then do your best to explain why you don't understand it. They need to know.

2. Be as specific as possible with comments. If something does not seem clear, or is phrased awkwardly, take the time to specifically explain why you feel that way.

3. Peer Review (even online Peer Review) is sacred space. What happens in Peer Review group stays in Peer Review group. Don’t discuss the essays behind anyone’s back. That would fall under our “don’t be a jerk” clause.

4. No negative self-talk. No one is a "bad" writer. There is no “bad” writing. All writing is good writing. Writing is either clear or unclear, or effective or ineffective

5. Don't be afraid of giving feedback. If you were a mechanic, you would not let someone drive out of your garage without telling them that their transmission is shot or their tires are bald. Of course not, because not telling them puts that driver in danger of having an accident. If you do not tell your classmate that they have made major errors on their first draft, then they will turn in an assignment thinking it is fine. They will then get a low grade. They do not want a low grade, you don't want them to get a low grade, I don't like handing out low grades. Everyone loses in that scenario. You are not being mean by pointing out to them that they have made an error. You are actually doing them a favor. Everyone benefits from a set of fresh eyes. Even if you do not feel like you can help your teammate with their draft, you might be able to see something they are overlooking.

6. Accept the feedback which has been given to you. I will be looking over the comments your teammates give you. I will know if you disregard good advice.

After you upload your draft, Canvas will be breaking all of you in groups of 3. You will be sent at least two, possibly three, different students' drafts. On Canvas, you should be able to make comments through track changes. Canvas is a new system for FSU, so if you are having issues with it, please let me know and we will take this party over to Google Drive. (This is why I asked you all to set up a Gmail account for the class.)

On Canvas, you have an assignment called PeerReview Feedback. Complete this form and answer each questions for each of the students whose drafts you review. Save your responses in one word document and upload your feedback to Canvas under PeerReviewFeedbackProject#1.

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