PEER EDITING FOR ACTION RESEARCH

P-Q-P

For the Writer: Everyone is permitted “one excuse” for his/her writing if you feel it is necessary. The focus of peer review is the process in which all writing can be changed and improved. You are not expected to have a perfect paper at this point. Therefore, it is best to not feel the need to make excuses for what you have written. Peer review is an opportunity to view your work from the perspective of other readers and make changes that you think are appropriate.

For the Reader: You are asked to follow the following guidelines and focus on the information provided by the written piece while reviewing another piece of writing:

Praise-Identify what you like about the piece

Question-What is unclear and why

Polish-How can this piece be brought to “publishing” level, the fine tuning.

Praise:

ü Is the idea clear and focused?

ü Is the topic relevant?

ü Does the writer seem knowledgeable? passionate? interested? about the piece?

ü Is it neat, well organized, easy to read?

ü If it’s been peer reviewed before, how are changes evident?

Question: (concentrate on the topic and the content)

ü Is the topic focused on the assigned task?

ü Are the main ideas clear?

ü Are the details provided that support the main idea of each section or paragraph?

ü Do you believe what is said about the topic? Is the argument or position convincing?

ü Are research references provided to support claims made and positions taken?

ü Has the writer given his/her opinion? Should not!

ü Is the topic manageable for a teacher’s environment for the time of the study? Can it be done?

Polish: (concentrate on editing)

ü Are there complete sentences? Run-on sentences?

ü Are paragraphs focused on one idea?

ü Are there sufficient details to support main idea in a paragraph?

ü Are paragraphs 3-7 sentences long? APA style

ü Did writer use alternate sentence beginnings? ASB

ü Do subject and verb agree on number and tense?

ü Do pronouns and antecedents agree?

ü Use a minimum number of pronouns. Are antecedents clear?

ü Are the main ideas of continuous paragraphs clearly connected?

ü Are there clear transitions from the ideas in one paragraph to the beginning of the next paragraph?

ü Check APA reference citations in text and in reference section EACH time you review

The process for peer editing can be difficult at times and time consuming. The value of peer editing shines through with the finished product. When you begin this process it is very important to follow the recommended rules and procedures. All papers/submissions must follow the A.P.A format.

1. Use the form to record the name of the individual whose paper you are reading. Then record your name in the “reviewer” space.

2. Read the paper through one time before making any marks or suggestion. This will allow to read the paper in its entirety.

3. Indicate the strengths of the paper. What did you like?

4. When you come across a sentence, paragraph, or entry that is unclear, confusing, out of place, or causes you to question it’s inclusion; record the page, paragraph, and line number on the back of this form and write your question or comment in the space provided. You should also use this for pointing out an excellent entry or an entry that needs an expansion of discussion.

5. After reading the paper once, start to read the paper for the purpose of editing. As you read circle, underline, or highlight misspellings and grammatical errors. Put a check mark in the right hand margin next to the line where an error was found.

6. Keep in mind that the Literature Review section must include sources that are research-based with direct connections to the topic being researched. This also means that you must review and possibly question the sources listed in the Reference Section of the paper. Check reference citations in text and in reference section EVERY TIME you review every paper.

You will follow this procedure for all members of your peer-editing group. Your instructor will collect the peer editing forms when you make your first and later submissions.

Peer Editing Feedback Form

Reviewer____________________ Author_____________________ Paper topic_______________

Pg/Pp/ln.	Comments (Identify as content issues or editing issues) (adjust areas as you need)
	Over all strengths of work: What I liked:
	Content:
	Editing: