Reading Spaces Peer Review

Assignment created by Justin Greene (Department of English)

Other Assignments In This Series

This assignment is the fourth week of a five-week series, usually used during the ninth week of the term. The Reading Spaces series is usually preceded by the Personal Narrative series and then the Rhetorical Analysis of Generative AI series.

Peer Review, Part I:
AI-Assisted Revision

Class Duration: 50 minutes

Outcomes

Writing Processes and Reflective Practice

Objective

To use generative AI as a tool for identifying potential areas of improvement in your 750-word draft essay for the Reading Spaces Photo Essay project.

Activities

  1. Preparation
    1. Ensure you have a 750-word draft of your Reading Spaces Photo Essay ready. PDF files work best.
    2. Open Microsoft Copilot.
  2. AI Tutor Review
    1. Set Copilot to “More Precise.”
    2. Input your essay into Copilot.
    3. Ask your AI tutor to provide the following feedback in a supportive manner:
      • 5 global revision suggestions
      • 5 paragraph-level revision suggestions
      • 5 sentence-level revision suggestions
    4. Request that the AI tutor be critical, explain each suggestion clearly, and offer encouragement.
  3. AI Prompt

    Use the following prompt with the AI tool:

    Please analyze this 750-word draft for my Reading Spaces Photo Essay project. The essay describes and analyzes a space where I engage in reading activities. Provide revision suggestions in the following order:

    • Give 5 global revision suggestions that address the overall structure, argument, and effectiveness of the essay.
    • Provide 5 paragraph-level revision suggestions to improve coherence and development within specific paragraphs.
    • Offer 5 sentence-level revision suggestions to enhance clarity, style, and grammar.
  4. Review AI Suggestions
    1. Carefully read through all the AI-generated suggestions.
    2. Consider the relevance and potential impact of each suggestion.
  5. Reflection
    Write a brief reflection (150–200 words) addressing the following questions:

    • Which AI suggestions do you find most helpful and why?
    • Are there any suggestions you disagree with? Explain your reasoning.
    • How might these AI-generated suggestions complement or differ from traditional peer review feedback?
  6. Peer Discussion
    1. In small groups or pairs, share your AI-generated suggestions and reflections.
    2. Discuss the effectiveness of using AI for revision and how it compares to human feedback.
  7. Revision Plan
    1. Based on the AI suggestions and peer discussion, create a revision plan for your essay.
    2. Identify at least 3 specific changes you plan to make to improve your essay.
    3. Remember that while AI can provide helpful suggestions, it’s essential to critically evaluate its recommendations. The final decisions on revisions should be yours, based on your understanding of the assignment, your intentions for the essay, and your developing skills as a writer.
  8. Weekly Submission
    For your weekly submission, include these items:

    • Your prompt for generative AI.
    • The generative AI output.
    • Your revision plan.
    • Your reflection.

Peer Review, Part II:
Essay Revision with a Classmate

Class Duration: 50 minutes

Outcomes

Writing Processes and Reflective Practice

Activities

  1. Read your peer’s essay twice. First, read for overall impression and understanding. Second, read for detailed analysis.
  2. Answer the Peer Review Questions (below) in each section, providing specific and descriptive suggestions for revision. For example, instead of saying “This paragraph is weak,” you might say “The third paragraph could be strengthened by adding an example of how the arrangement of books in the space reflects the author’s reading habits.”
  3. Remember to be an empathetic reader. Consider the author’s intentions and experiences while offering constructive feedback.
  4. Remember that the goal of this peer review is to help your classmate improve their essay. Be honest but kind in your feedback, focusing on how the essay can be enhanced rather than criticizing what’s already there.
  5. After completing your review, complete these tasks:
    1. Discuss your feedback with your peer, allowing them to ask questions or seek clarification.
    2. Write a short reflection (150–200 words) on how this process of giving feedback might inform your own writing and revision strategies. Compare this peer activity with the generative AI review activity.
  6. For your weekly submission, include these items:
    • Your reflection.
    • Your revised revision plan.

Peer Review Questions

Global Concerns

  • Does the essay have a clear and analytical thesis statement about the meaning of “reading” and the importance of the chosen space for reading? If yes, what is it? If not, what suggestions do you have for developing one?
  • How effectively does the essay explore the concept of “reading” beyond traditional text-based reading? Are there any aspects of reading in the chosen space that could be further developed?
  • Does the essay effectively integrate descriptions of the photographs with the written analysis? How might this integration be improved?
  • Is the overall structure of the essay clear and logical? Does it effectively guide the reader through the author’s argument? If not, what suggestions do you have for improving the organization?

Paragraph-Level Concerns

  • Do individual paragraphs have clear topic sentences that relate to the overall thesis? Provide an example of a strong topic sentence or suggest improvements for a weak one.
  • How well does each paragraph develop its main idea? Are there any paragraphs that need more evidence or explanation?
  • Are transitions between paragraphs smooth and logical? If not, where could transitions be improved?
  • Do the paragraphs effectively balance description of the space and objects with analysis of their significance? If not, which areas need more development?

Sentence-Level Concerns

  • Are there any sentences that are unclear or difficult to understand? If so, which ones, and how might they be clarified?
  • How varied is the sentence structure throughout the essay? Are there any areas where sentence variety could be improved?
  • Is the language used appropriate for a college-level audience? Are there any instances where more sophisticated vocabulary or phrasing could be used?
  • Are there any grammatical or mechanical errors that distract from the content of the essay? If so, what are they and where do they occur?

 

Last Updated on July 8, 2025