Offering sound advice in peer reviews

When conducting peer reviews, help your classmates with constructive advice, not harsh criticism. In your review, try to point out at least one or two of the paper’s strengths. If you point out a weakness, accompany your feedback with a polite suggestion for improvement. Instead of writing short, choppy phrases that could be misinterpreted, write complete sentences that convey your desire to help your peer improve.

A strong peer review can result in dramatic improvement in your work. When you receive a helpful review from a peer, say thank you. Make sure you are as helpful to others as they are to you. To be truly helpful, you need to take some time to read your peer’s work carefully and to offer both praise and helpful criticism. Being a good peer reviewer is a very useful career skill, so work hard at it.

Guidelines for peer reviewers

Guidelines for using reviewers’ comments

Example of peer reviewing

Related topics:

Submitting your best work

Communicating courteously and professionally with your instructor and classmates

Using detail and clarity in discussions

Submitting only your own work