Peer Response

Is it really fair that struggling writers have to go up against proficient writers for a grade? No, but what can be done about it? (Hint: read the big words on top of this page.)

And if your audience's reactions are so important to understand, how are you supposed to know what they think of every little section of your paper? (Hint: see big words up there.)

And if your teacher really expects bombproof papers, how are you going to work hard enough to make that happen, to find every flaw, in one semester without going crazy or losing your social life entirely? (Hint.)

Peer response basically means somebody reads your paper and gives you feedback. Don't let anyone get away with just telling you "It's really good." This gets you nowhere. If it really is good, then ask them to show you what they liked. This helps you to continue doing those things.

Peer Response Process:
Just like everything else, Peer Response has a process. Of course there are many correct ways of doing PR, but consider the benefits of these three steps:

In early drafts, pay attention to the content and organization. Leave the style and editing for later.
Identify the purpose of the writing as you see it. Write this down.
Write any of your reactions--positive or not. You don't need to be an expert writer to have an opinion. If some word/sentence/paragraph/etc. confused or bored or excited you, there's a good chance it will have the same effect on others.
Suggest improvements. The more specific your comments and suggestions, the more helpful.

Pretty simple, eh? Here are a few more tips to make sure your Peer Response works well:

Give your readers specific questions (the more specific the better) before they read your paper. This way they can look for answers as they read and perhaps even make notes on the page as they go along.
Do whatever you can to convince them that your feelings won't be hurt if they find a suggestion for improvement or a negative comment about your paper. Tell them that you would feel worse if you got a low grade when they could have helped you avoid it. Try not to let your pain show when this actually happens, it will fade. Don't hold a grudge.
Be prepared for more suggestions than you hoped for.
You don't have to take all suggestions. Some people may not understand what you're trying to accomplish--but if they don't, that's a pretty good clue that you're not yet doing it well enough.
Don't let your ego get tied up in your paper--at least not at this stage. You're still revising, it's not supposed to be perfect. Work hard and be proud of what you turn in in the end.
Encourage readers to write on your paper. It's hard to remember everything someone tells you if they just say it to you after reading the paper.
Offer to read over their paper, too, to do an exchange, and maybe even mention how ruthless you're going to be, and how you expect no less from them.
Notice how much you learn by reading other writers' papers.
Give them something to eat while they read so they'll be less anxious to leave. Or a back rub--they won't be going anywhere!
Thank them profusely afterward. You never know when you'll need another reviewer, and if they feel appreciated, they'll be more likely to do it conscientiously.

And do look forward to Peer Response Fest. Look at the schedule to see when that's coming up. Everyone will meet on the second floor of the cafeteria any time between 7:00 and noon. You will be required to read and respond (quality stuff, too!) to at least two other papers, though you can pick up some extra credit by doing more. You can also pick up a few points by bringing food (things with not-too-much sugar are usually most popular, maybe just because there's so much junk food).

Peer Response Fest is probably the most kicked-back day we'll have this semester. Hang out and chat. Eat--there's usually plenty of grub. Read extra papers. You're not just doing someone else a favor--students often comment that they learned tons from what other students are writing.