Senior Thesis: Peer Critique Process

Let's read the following text together. You should refer to it again once you get into your groups. Then,
get into your groups and fill out the schedule at the end of this form. This will be the daily schedule for
your group, and will be referred to each day this week.

Objectives - This week will be dedicated to two things:

1. Giving amazing feedback. Dedicate your time to your peers make them excited that you
reviewed their paper by giving them the most amazing and useful feedback possible.
2. Refinement. If you dedicate yourself and your finest qualities to others, so will they to you. You
will have excellent, actionable feedback on your essay. Make sure you schedule adequate and
ample writing time for yourself and your peers to make revisions on your work.

Before you begindo these steps!

1. Share Papers: Ensure that each member has one hard OR digital copy of their paper for each
member of the group (so if there are 5 group members, each must have 4 copies of their paper).
This may be done the day of critique, to ensure that group members get the most refined draft.
2. Estimate Time: Quickly look over each paper. How long are they? How much time do you
anticipate needing to read and give feedback to each? Recommendation:
a. An 8-10 page paper may be able to complete the protocol in around 30 minutes
b. A 16-20 page paper may need approximately 1 hour for the protocol.
3. Schedule: After you've looked over each paper, take the time to find consensus on a schedule
for the week. Note: you should take time to schedule the following things into your work week:
a. Time to read and use the protocol on EACH paper in your group. Note the size and
complexity of each paper before you set times and dates for each paper revision. All
papers must be revised using the protocol with ample time for revision this week.
b. Ample time to review and process the peer critique protocol.
c. Break time make sure your group can take a 10 minute break each day.
d. Also considermore complete papers, or people who are stuck should probably be
critiqued first. If your draft is still incomplete, you should probably be critiqued later in
the week.

Senior Thesis: Peer Critique Protocol

45 minute protocol
Important: This protocol works, but is adjustable to your needs. Run it at least once in full, and then feel free to
make changes based on what works best for your group.

What each group needs:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Groups these have been made for you

Two tables grouped together
A timekeeper with military precision, a take-no-prisoners attitude, no sense of humor.
Multiple copies of each piece of student work (each member will get one) Either emailed as a word
document OR printed.

What authors need: Their essay, pen/pencil, blank paper (computer)

What tuners need: Pen/pencil, highlighter, copy of author's paper, sensitivity, sense of decency
Essay Critique Process
1. Step 1- Reading (20 min)
a. Tuners- Read the essay closely. Make annotations. Look for these things:
i. Presentation of content, and structure of argument
ii. Make any grammar corrections you can on their paper.
iii. Jot down clarifying questions you have for the author
b. Author- Brainstorm 3 focus questions/areas of concern
2. Step 2- Author Explanation and Questions (5 min)
a. Author explains their general thesis in their own words, then his/her focusing questions. Tuners write
these down.
b. Tuners- SILENCE! - Dialogue is unproductive at this point.
3. Step 3- Clarifying Questions (10-15 min)
a. Tuners- Ask clarifying questions about the writing and topic
b. Author- Answers questions
4. Step 4- Feedback (10-15 min)
a. Tuners- In turns, each tuner must discuss their thoughts on writing, suggestions for revision (content
and structure, address focus question)
b. Address each Element: (Findings, etc) Does each accomplish its purpose? How could each be
refined to be more in-tune with the overall argument?
c. What is your favorite topic sentence? Why? Where is a weak one, and why is it weak?
d. Author- SILENT, taking notes
5. Step 5- Author Response (5 min)
e. Author- Responds, cite good advice, agree/disagree
f. Tuners- SILENCE!
6. Step 6- Debrief (2 min)
a. Debrief of ideas for improvement of the analysis

Senior Thesis: Critique Groups and

Schedule
Morning Class
Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Keenan

Summer

Charles

Cathy

Lacey

Raven

Nick

Anish

Hannah

Domi

Dan

Mila

Sean

Chris

Sonya

Ethan

Tia

Shane

Eliana

Devin

Brittan

David

Al

Schedule
Your first task is to develop your peer critique schedule for the next week. You should plan on being able to do
two papers in a class period. If youd like to meet up off campus to do peer critiques on Tuesday, that would be
fantastic as well. The earlier you get these done, the more time you all have to revise.
In the space below, decide on a schedule. Remember, the person being critiqued need to bring copies of their
paper for everyone in the group (you can decide as a group if you want to do this digitally or hard copy).

Who is being
critiqued?

Where is the
critique being
held?

Thursday 3/10

Monday 3/14

Tuesday 3/15

Thursday, 3/17

1.

Wednesday
3/16
1.

1.

1.

2.

2.

2.

2.

2.

Classroom

Classroom

Classroom

Classroom

Sentence Focus
SPAM 4
Email

Comma Usage

TBD (Block
indenting,
indicating titles,
title page, misc.
formatting)

1.

(For Tuesday)
Writing
Workshops and
Other
Activities