In this assignment, you will review another student’s personal essay.

Select one of the student essays linked to below, and follow the instructions to provide thoughtful, constructive feedback. Use the guidelines and strategies discussed in this lesson to offer valuable insights and suggestions.

During this assignment, you will engage in a peer review process focused on personal narrative essays written by your fellow students — a story from their lives, written to showcase the meaning they found in the experience. Even good writing could be made better. Help them to do just that!

Peer review is a valuable opportunity to provide and receive constructive feedback, gain different perspectives, and enhance your writing skills.

By participating actively in this process, you will not only help your peers but also refine your own reflective writing abilities.

For this “personal narrative” essay, students were asked to tell a personal story, using dialogue and specific sensory details, so that readers could envision and share the experience of what happened. The students were to conclude with an explanation of what they learned from the experience in a way that readers could apply the lesson to their own lives (up to 25% of the essay’s length).

Instructions

1.    Access Assigned Essays: Choose one of the student essays linked below. These essays have been written by your peers.

Student Essays: Select one to review.

2.    Review Criteria: As you read each essay, consider the following criteria:

  • Clarity and coherence of the reflection.
  • The depth of personal insight and self-assessment.
  • Organization and structure of the essay.
  • Use of relevant examples and evidence.
  • Grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

3.    Provide Feedback: For each essay you review, write a constructive feedback message to the author. Explain what works well in the essay already. Offer insights into what worked well and suggestions for improvement. Be specific in your comments. Offer quotations to explain, illustrate, and prove(!) your points. Follow the peer review guidelines discussed earlier. Your peer review should be at least 500 words.

4.    Address Assignment-Specific Questions: If there are assignment-specific questions or criteria (see above), make sure to address them in your feedback.

5.    Submit Feedback: Submit your feedback for each essay as per the assignment instructions. Ensure that your comments are respectful and supportive.
Benefits of Peer Review

  • Gain valuable insights into different approaches to reflective writing.
  • Identify areas for improvement in your own writing by analyzing others’ work.
  • Enhance your ability to provide constructive criticism and feedback.
  • Collaborate with peers to improve writing skills.

Important Notes

  • Peer review is a reciprocal process, and by actively participating, you contribute to the growth of your peers as writers.
  • Use the feedback you receive to revise and enhance your reflective essay for the final submission.

Grading 

This assignment will be graded based on your active participation in the peer review process and the quality of your feedback to your peers. Your ability to provide constructive and specific feedback will be assessed.

Engage in this peer review process with the aim of helping your fellow students improve their reflective essays. Remember that your input is valuable and can contribute to their growth as writers.