How to Write Effective Peer Review Comments

TL;DR

Peer review comments should prioritize higher-order concerns and be specific to the text to promote meaningful revision.

Transcript

In this video, we’ll discuss the kinds of peer review comments that are most helpful to writers during the drafting process. ♫ [Upbeat music] Student writers often assume that peer review means proofreading for grammar and spelling errors. This approach can be helpful when the major goals of a writing project have already been achieved. When review... Read More

Key Insights

• 🪈 Peer review should prioritize higher-order concerns (content and context) over lower-order concerns (mechanics of writing) to promote meaningful revision.
• 💬 Specific comments that directly address the text provide clearer suggestions for improvement and help the writer see their own writing from a new perspective.
• 💬 Tailored comments that are specific to the text being reviewed demonstrate engagement with the writer's ideas and help foster a better understanding between the reviewer and the writer.
• 💡 Peer review should offer encouragement and provide a clear path to revision, helping writers develop their ideas further.
• ✋ Focusing on higher-order concerns helps writers explore possibilities for developing their ideas and fosters a deeper understanding of their own writing.
• 💨 Peer reviewers should aim to see the writing from a different perspective and help writers consider different ways to approach their topic.
• 😒 Writing scholars emphasize the importance of addressing higher-order concerns, such as the clarity of the writer's argument and the use of evidence, in peer review comments.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main goal of peer review during the drafting process?

The main goal of peer review during the drafting process is to provide feedback that promotes revision and helps writers develop their ideas further.

Q: How should peer reviewers prioritize their comments?

Peer reviewers should prioritize higher-order concerns, such as the writer's ideas, arguments, evidence, organization, audience, tone, and use of sources, over lower-order concerns like grammar and spelling.

Q: Why are specific comments more helpful than general comments?

Specific comments provide detailed and explicit feedback that directly refers to the text, giving the writer a clear understanding of what needs to be revised or addressed. General comments, on the other hand, can leave the writer uncertain about how to proceed.

Q: Why are tailored comments worth the extra time and effort?

Tailored comments, specific to the text being reviewed, demonstrate to the writer that the reviewer has engaged with their ideas and viewpoints. This helps the writer understand the reviewer's perspective, suggestions, and questions more clearly.

Key Insights:

• Peer review should prioritize higher-order concerns (content and context) over lower-order concerns (mechanics of writing) to promote meaningful revision.
• Specific comments that directly address the text provide clearer suggestions for improvement and help the writer see their own writing from a new perspective.
• Tailored comments that are specific to the text being reviewed demonstrate engagement with the writer's ideas and help foster a better understanding between the reviewer and the writer.
• Peer review should offer encouragement and provide a clear path to revision, helping writers develop their ideas further.
• Focusing on higher-order concerns helps writers explore possibilities for developing their ideas and fosters a deeper understanding of their own writing.
• Peer reviewers should aim to see the writing from a different perspective and help writers consider different ways to approach their topic.
• Writing scholars emphasize the importance of addressing higher-order concerns, such as the clarity of the writer's argument and the use of evidence, in peer review comments.
• Peer review comments should aid in negotiating possible miscommunications and help the writer refine their message for better reader understanding.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Peer review should go beyond proofreading for grammar and spelling errors and focus on providing feedback that promotes revision.

• Writing scholars distinguish between higher-order concerns (content and context) and lower-order concerns (mechanics of writing) when reviewing drafts.

• Specific comments that address higher-order concerns offer clearer suggestions and help writers see their own writing from a new perspective.