Week Nine Overview: Start Here

peer reviewWelcome to Week Nine!

This week the focus in on finishing a full draft of your research essay and posting it for the peer-review process. You are welcome to review any essay that is posted, but once an essay has been reviewed it is "closed" and not available for a second review. This helps to ensure every essay is reviewed.

 

Learning Goals:

 

  • Evaluate a peer's essay, using the experience to practice evaluating your own essay
  • Review in-text citations and Works Cited page for correctness 
  • Finalize your essay through the revision process

 

Assignment: Draft Workshop 

Post a nearly completed draft of your essay and answers to the "Self-Assessment" questions. Using the questions provided, review a peer's essay draft. Provide detailed feedback that focuses on locating the argument (or the absence of one), the main ideas, and the overall clarity and completeness of the essay. DO NOT focus on fixing small errors. Instead, be a thoughtful reader. If an area of the essay is unclear or needs more support let your peer know. You are a valuable resource to each other, as colleagues who have been working on the same projects for weeks and have an understanding of the expectations. 

Quick story: Years ago a student came up to me after essays had been handed back. His peer had earned a "D" and he earned an "A". This student felt guilty because he had reviewed the essay and provided positive feedback even though he knew the essay needed many revisions. So he made his peer feel good at the moment but he did not help him improve his essay or grade. Be kind. Be thoughtful. And provide honest feedback.