Peer Review: Reflective Essay draft
Authors name: Evan Guest
Reviewers name: Matt Byrne
Author: Provide the following information about your essay:
1. Write your thesis statement/main idea below (if it is still a work in progress, say so)
Very rough, but my main idea is how technical communication/writing will directly relate to what I
will be doing as a professional.
2. Write out one or two questions about your draft you would like your reviewer to answer.
1. Is my theme/main idea clear throughout the entire reflection?
- I like the quote at the beginning and I also like how you stated how technical writing has
helped YOU personally. The main idea is well stated and it is clear throughout so far.
2. Is my technical writer identity and how it has developed clear?
- Yes-you explained that you have grown as a writer and you explained how youve grown
with examples from class such as job search and resume writing as well as the group work
we all did.
Reviewer: Read the writers entire draft once. As you reread the draft, respond to the following:
1. Introductory paragraph(s): Write down the sentence or sentences that contain this reflection
papers main idea (according to you). Does the author focus on an overarching theme/metaphor/quote
symbol/etc.? Suggest how the thesis statement/main idea could be strengthened, clarified, or otherwise
improved. Does the author state which evidence will be examined in the rest of the essay? Suggest
how the author could improve this part of the essay.
I would take the second paragraph and place it in front of the first. You state that you enjoyed the class
and explained the different tasks that were completed so it would be better I feel if this was stated first
before you talk about how it has helped you grow. Its up to you though. The main idea is fine and
clear.
3. Supporting paragraphs: Check to make sure the content of the paper supports the thesis and
that additional evidence or content is not needed to support it. Indicate one paragraph in which
the writers evidence is strong, and state the reasons why you think so. Then find one paragraph
that needs more evidence. Drawing from your own experiences or understanding of the type of
assignment the author is discussing, suggest evidence that might work to better illustrate or
develop the main idea or subclaims.
In your third paragraph you could add to it by describing exactly what assignments contributed
towards your new alternative perspectives and what exactly those perspectives are.
4. Organization: Number the paragraphs in the authors paper. Then, use the space below to
describe the purpose or main idea of each paragraph. Check to make sure the paper follows a
consistent organizational pattern and is effectively organized with clear paragraphs (focused
around one sub-claim) and smooth transitional/topic sentences. When you finish, suggest where
the writer might improve the organization of the paper through the use of transitional sentences,
by focusing on one topic in each paragraph, by restructuring the order of paragraphs, etc.
1. This paragraph could be placed at the beginning or the end. It covers the main idea but
could also be used to sum up the essay as well.
2. This paragraph could go to the top of the essay
3. Again youre reflecting well but you just need to fill in some supporting details. It will help
add some words too to help you out on that word count.
4. This paragraph sticks to the main idea still and is overall fine the way it is.
5. List the 2 most important things the author should focus on during revision.
Filling in supporting details in place of sayings like a few things or a few different
assignments. State exactly what those things are.
Overall flow and organization. Just re-ordering paragraph can have a good overall impact
on flow.
5. Respond to the authors questions in number 2. Answered above.
Author: When your essay is returned, read the comments by your peer reviewer and do the following:
1. Compare your description of the thesis statement with your readers. Consider your readers
comments and revise your thesis statement if necessary.
2. What additional evidence from the research youve read, from your experiences, from your
observations, etc. would strengthen the support for your thesis?
Evidence from my paper that could support the idea of this work helping me in the future.
3. Make a revision plan. List, in order of importance, the 3 most important things that you need to do
as you revise your essay.
1- Length 2- Conclusion 3- Support evidence
