However, note that some graders find segmenting the paper into specific items counter to their holistic understanding of writing. Others dislike using points that may add up to less or more than the grade the paper seems to merit. Grading Short Writings When writing is used to generate discussion, as in the case of in-class writings or microthemes, a simple informal method of evaluation is very effective. Peer Evaluation Guide Benefits of Peer Evaluations Students get feedback on the assignment before they turn it into the instructor. Reading another's paper and responding to it helps students recognize the strengths and weaknesses of their own writing.
Students develop a greater sense of and sensitivity to audience.
Students learn new information from their peers' papers. The role of the peer evaluator is to be an objective reader, to tell the writer how the paper can be improved. Students should be encouraged to be honest but polite. The only way for an evaluation to be successful is if it is an honest evaluation. Students should be reminded that while their feedback should never be rude, their peers will only learn from honest feedback.