Peer Editing

Peer editing is an important part of the writing process.  The image above is from a slideshow called Peer Editing with Perfection! Tutorial.  After reading through these slides and watching two other videos two tips really stick out in my mind.  The first being to stay positive when reviewing another student's work.  This is really important because even though one may think another's work is of poor quality, it is still something that they probably worked really hard on.  In the video about the top ten mistakes of peer editing the little girl reminds viewers of this by giving the example of Mean Margaret.  Even if it is hard, the editor needs to compliment their peers.  I like to think of a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down, when peer reviewing.

The second aspect of the videos and slideshow that really stuck out to me was in the suggestions section.  My roommates had a discussion about peer editing when I told them that was what the blog was about this week.  We decided that majority of the time peer editing was not helpful when people are being forced because they do not take it seriously.  When not taken seriously the author gets comments back such as 'your paper is well written' or 'I like your writing style'.  Jean the Generalizer is not a good peer editor.  If one is not specific enough, their comments are not helpful and kind of infuriating.