Engaging in Peer Review
I would say my experience with peer review has been hit or miss. Sometimes I get some feedback that I really like and end up utilizing it in some way. Other times I get some feedback where I appreciate your time and effort, but I think I was better off just taking a second look at my paper and changing it myself. I think the deciding factor on which way of it being hit or miss is whether or not the person reviewing your paper actually cares and is seriously trying to improve your paper. I always try to keep an open mind when allowing someone to review my paper, and I try my best to see where they are coming from as the reader. I think this is important to take into consideration the reader’s thoughts if you want to improve your paper at all.
When I prepare to offer feedback to other writers, I always make sure I try to understand what the writer is saying as best I can. I think of what the writer is trying to accomplish with this paper, and what is the best way I can help them get their thoughts out there clearly and effectively. I’ll read their entire paper from start to finish in one sitting to try to absorb everything they are saying. After that, I will go paragraph by paragraph, reading sentences repeatedly, and trying to think of better ways to word their sentences to be clearer.
As writers, at least for me, I think we tend to try to write with our audience in mind. I always find myself thinking about how the reader will react to what I am saying to them while I’m writing my paper. I’ll go back and change things on the fly if I have to, just to make sure I get everything perfect and correct. Even though we try, I think it’s impossible to fully anticipate how a reader is going to react or get lost with something that isn’t being communicated well. This is where I think peer review shines and is at its best because you are getting feedback from the very person you are writing for, the reader. It can give you the answers you are seeking about your own writing and can be valuable to make your paper the best possible version it can be.
Feedback is great, but not all feedback is necessary or appropriate to give a writer. It’s important to remember as a reader of someone else’s writing that you are there to help the writer. You’re not there to put them down, only focus on their grammar, or argue with what the writer is saying. Not only does this discourage the writer from sharing their writing, but it is also not helpful because it’s probably not what they were looking for, unless otherwise stated. However, it is ok to point out anything that doesn’t make sense to you or may need more clarification. Both the reader and the writer should keep an open mind to ensure that participating in peer review is a positive and instructive environment.
