Introduction

Genre

Topic

Scope

Thesis or Question

Research

Outline

First draft

Revision

Introduction

Peer editing

Proofreads

Additional Resources

Writing a Research Paper

Revision

Peer editing

Not only are the eyes of a peer great for catching blunders in final copy, but feedback from someone in your class is one of the best ways to revise either before or after you go over the copy yourself.

The method described below has been adapted from Janet Giltrow's Academic Writing [1995] and is called the Think-Aloud or Reader-Response method.

In this method, the reader reads your paper aloud while you sit alongside taking notes. You do not interject but simply record what your reader reports. Readers only come up with personal reactions and observations during the reading process; writers are the ones to flag problem areas for diagnosis. Only readers should speak. Good sections should also be commented upon.

Here is a possible scenario between Suzy (reader) and Olga (writer):

(Suzy starts reading and then has trouble with word choice or sentence structure)

Suzy: "I find this phrase [points out on page] is difficult. It caught me off-guard so I had to re-read"

(Olga writes: This section is unclear. Maybe I should reword or explain it better?)

Suzy: "I'm not sure of the connection between these sentences. Why are you telling me this second part about the children's upbringing? Do you mean to say the first sentence is the cause of this one? I'm not sure"

(Olga only writes: Revision needed. Transition should be clearer)

Suzy: "Okay, from this paragraph, I get the idea that I should concentrate on how the female workers were included in the bargaining units and the two important points you want me to carry are......."

(Olga writes: This part works well! She gets what I'm saying!)

And so on.

Often, this process will simply confirm problems you already anticipated; other times, it will foreground areas overlooked in your own revising. The positive commentary of what the reader understands is also a great motivator that what you're saying is coming through.

Peer Editing Guide from the Writer's Web is another way to approach the peer review process.