What are the benefits of peer feedback and how do you give and receive it effectively?

1 Benefits of peer feedback

Peer feedback can help you enhance your writing in several ways. First, it can provide you with a fresh perspective and new insights on your topic, argument, structure, and style. Second, it can help you identify and correct your errors, gaps, and weaknesses in your work. Third, it can boost your confidence and motivation by recognizing your strengths and achievements. Fourth, it can foster your critical thinking and communication skills by engaging you in a dialogue with your peers.

2 Giving effective feedback

To give effective feedback, you need to follow some guidelines and principles. First, you need to read the work carefully and attentively, and try to understand the writer's purpose, audience, and main points. Second, you need to focus on the content and the criteria, not on the person or the preferences. Third, you need to be specific, clear, and constructive, and provide examples and suggestions for improvement. Fourth, you need to be respectful, polite, and supportive, and avoid harsh, vague, or personal criticism.

5 Conducting peer feedback

When you conduct peer feedback, you need to follow some steps and methods. First, you need to agree on a time and a place that is convenient and comfortable for everyone. Second, you need to decide on a format and a procedure that is appropriate and effective for your work. For example, you can use a rubric, a checklist, or a set of questions to guide your feedback. Third, you need to communicate and collaborate with your partner or group in a respectful and constructive manner. For example, you can ask questions, give compliments, and make suggestions. Fourth, you need to record and summarize your feedback in a written or oral form that is clear and concise.

6 Reflecting on peer feedback

After you receive peer feedback, you need to reflect on it and use it to improve your work. First, you need to review the feedback carefully and critically, and identify the main strengths and weaknesses of your work. Second, you need to prioritize the feedback and decide what changes are necessary, desirable, or optional for your work. Third, you need to plan and implement the changes in a systematic and consistent way, and not make random or superficial edits. Fourth, you need to evaluate the impact of the feedback and the changes on your work, and assess if you have achieved your goals and met the criteria.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?