1. Problem
Solution
Peer
revision
guide:
Please
do
not
write
on
this
page
A good critical reading does three things: It lets the writer know how the reader understands the point
of the draft, praises what works best, and indicates where the draft could be improved.
1. Evaluate how well the problem is defined.
Summarize: Tell the writer what you understand the problem to be.
Praise: Give an example where the nature of the problem and its significance to readers comes across
effectively.
Critique: Tell the writer where the readers might need more information about the problem’s causes
and consequences, or where more might be done to establish its seriousness.
2. Assess how well the solution is argued.
Summarize: Tell the writer what you understand the proposed solution to be.
Praise: Give an example in the essay where support for the solution is presented especially
effectively—for example, note particularly strong reasons, writing strategies that engage readers, or
design or visual elements that make the solution clear and accessible.
Critique: Tell the writer where the argument for the solution could be strengthened—for example,
where steps for implementation could be laid out more clearly, where the practicality of the solution
could be established more convincingly, or where additional support for reasons should be added.
3. Consider how effectively counterarguments are addressed and alternative
solutions are offered.
Praise: Give an example in the essay where the writer effectively responds to a likely objection to the
argument, and where reasons against accepting other solutions are most effectively presented.
Critique: Tell the writer where concessions and refutations could be more
convincing, where possible objections or reservations should be taken into
account or alternative solutions discussed, where reasons against accepting
other solutions need to be strengthened, or where common ground should
be sought with advocates of other positions.
4. Consider how effectively alternative solutions are shown to be less efficient than
the writer’s solution.
Summarize: Tell the writer what you understand the alternative solutions to be.
Praise: Give an example in the essay where a disadvantage to an alternate solution is especially
effectively—for example, note particularly strong reasons, writing strategies that engage readers, or
design or visual elements that make the solution clear and accessible.
Critique: Tell the writer where the argument against alternative solutions could be strengthened—for
example, where disadvantages could be laid out more clearly.
5. Assess how readable the proposal is.
Praise: Give an example of where the essay succeeds in being readable — for example, in its overall
organization, its use of forecasting statements or key terms introduced in its thesis and strategically
repeated elsewhere, its use of topic sentences or transitions, an especially effective opening or closing,
or by other means.
Critique: Tell the writer where the readability could be improved. Can you point to places where key
terms would help or where a topic sentence could be made clearer, for example? Can the use of
transitions be improved, or transitions added where they are lacking? Can you suggest a better
beginning or more effective ending?
6. If the writer has expressed concern about anything in the draft that you have not
discussed, respond to that concern. Or give the writer your final thoughts.