Writing Center

Facilitating Successful Peer Review

Understanding & Articulating (to students) the Purpose/Benefits:
Helps writers imagine a wider audience (beyond self and/or teacher)

Provides opportunity for direct audience feedback (to identify areas in need of greater support or clarification; to anticipate possible counter-arguments; to gauge level of interest/engagement; to help generate/expand on ideas)
Provides an opportunity to hear/read other writers' prose (³This is sometimes the greatest benefit: a benefit for the reviewer.)

Explain that ALL WRITERS at ALL LEVELS of accomplishment need and should seek out peer review. Possibly, reference how you, as a writer, have received and benefited from peer review.

Structuring a Syllabus & Classroom Time to Promote Peer Review:

Promoting the Writing Center:
A.
On your syllabus, you might place a statement like the following:
PLU Writing Center (located in Library 220)-Take advantage of this free writing peer consultation service available for all PLU students. This is a good place for the types of feedback and networking that good writers seek out.
B.
Schedule a 15 minute orientation for your class in the Writing Center.
C.
Take advantage of the Writing Center's offer to conduct peer review with your class in the center.
Begin small peer group activities early in the semester to help students get to know one another and to begin to feel comfortable working with and responding to each other.
Place on your syllabus words that help students expect and value peer review:
Example
Wk 4 (10/15)-Bring to class 3 copies of your preliminary draft for
Peer Review
Example: Grade Distribution-(10%) Quality of participation and peer feedback.
On writing assignment sheets, specify exact audiences for assignments so that students can better help their peers meet audience needs and expectations.

Mon-Thu
8:00am 9:00pm
Fri
8:00am 5:00pm
Sat

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Sun
4:00pm 9:00pm