EXPOSITORY WRITING

Peer Editing

Writing an essay can sometimes feel a little bit scary. Peer Editing can help take away some of the stress.

I have a paper

due and

I NEED HELP!

What is Peer Editing?

Peer Editing is a technique in which students read and comment on each others’ work.

It benefits the writer

by providing thoughtful feedback

and suggestions

for improvemen

t.

It benefits the editor by giving

him or her a chance to practice

editing – a key step in the revision process.

Guidelines for Peer Editing•It is

not helpful to say “This looks good” or “I liked it” and leave it at that.

•You may like the essay, but what did you like about it? Point to specific ideas or phrasing.

Be Specific

•Don’t be afraid to offer suggestions for improvement – everybody’s writing can be improved.

•Be kind, but do offer your suggestions.

Be Honest

•Take this seriously.

•Follow the prompts and work carefully through the entire essay to provide the most effective feedback you can.

Be Thorough

Step-by-Step Instructions

Begin by opening the Peer Editing Worksheet from your instructor. Keep this open so that you can answer these questions

as you work through the essay you will peer edit.Go to Groups > Peer Editing Group > File

Exchange folder and upload your first draft so that it, too, can be peer edited.

Next, open the essay(s) you will edit from this same folder. Note: If there are 3 people in your group, you will edit

2 essays.

On the to-be-edited essay, open the Review tab and use the New Comment feature, the Strikethrough feature, and the Highlighting feature to provide feedback. If you need a refresher, refer to the video clip located in your

Assignments or link to the file here.

Save the changes and upload the file with your comments to the File Exchange folder. Remember to include the answers from the Peer Editing Worksheet.

Repeat these steps for each person in your group!Be sure to use the comments you receive to make

improvements to your own essay.