what is peer editing? a peer is someone your own age. editing means making suggestions, comments,...

What is Peer Editing?A peer is someone your own age.Editing means making suggestions,

comments, compliments, and changes to writing.

Peer editing means working with someone your own age – usually someone in your class – to help improve, revise, and edit his or her writing.

Why Peer Edit?Peer editing is an absolutely essential step in business writing; view it as a resource; ask readers to be tough and thoughtful.

Business professionals don't always have time to solicit edits or responses from their peers on every piece of writing, but they will get several edits in advance on critical documents (such as proposals, audit reports, sales letters).

3 Steps to Peer Editing There are three important steps to remember

when you are peer editing another student’s writing.

Step 1 – Compliments

Step 2 – Suggestions

Step 3 - Corrections

STEP 1Compliments

The first rule of peer editing is to STAY POSITIVE!

Remember, you’re helping to change someone else’s work. Think about how you would feel if someone were telling you what needed to be improved in your own work…

STEP 1

ComplimentsAlways start your peer editing with

compliments!Tell the writer what you think he or she did well:I really loved your topicI think you used a lot of good detailsI liked when you used the word ______My favorite part was ________ because…This was really fun to read because…I liked the way you_________…

STEP 2

SuggestionsMaking suggestions means giving the author some specific ideas about

how tomake his or her writing better.Remember – stay positive and be specific!

Instead of, “It didn’t make sense,” say, “If you add more details after this sentence, it would be more clear.”

Instead of, “Your word choice was boring,” say, “Instead of using the word good, maybe you can use the word exceptional.”

STEP 2

SuggestionsHere are some areas that you may want to make suggestions about:Word choice – Did the author choose interesting

words?Using detailsOrganization – Can you understand what the

author is trying to say? Is it in the correct sequence?

Sentences – Are the sentences too long or too short?

Topic – Does the author stick to the topic or talk about other things that don’t really fit?

Unity (font, writing styles need to project unity)

STEP 3

CorrectionsThe third step in the peer editing process

is making corrections.

Corrections means checking your peer’s paper for:Spelling mistakesGrammar mistakesIncomplete or run-on sentencesMissing section content

Things to Remember…Stay positive – Try to make

suggestions and corrections in a positive way.

Be specific – Give the author specific ideas on how to improve his or her writing.

Complete all 3 steps – compliments, suggestions, and corrections.

Appearance/StyleThings to consider:Does your resume have a professional look?Did you use no more that 1-2 “normal” fonts,

no smaller than 10 pt?

Is the use of color, font, size, and style (bolding, italicizing, underlining) consistent throughout?

Have you used bulleted phrases to describe your accomplishments, rather than lengthy (and hard-to-read) paragraphs?

Completeness/LengthThings to consider:Is your resume complete enough to give a potential employer an adequate “snapshot” of your qualifications?

Is your resume limited to one page?

Content/LayoutDoes your resume contain all the relevant

information? Name and Contact InformationSummary of Skills/QualificationsEducation and TrainingExperience/Work HistoryActivities/Volunteering/Community ServiceHonors and Distinctions/Awards (0ptional)Interests/Professional Affiliations (optional)

Content/LayoutIs your resume organized in such a way that pertinent things stand out? Consider the way you structure your info and effectively use columns, color, font, size, and style (bolding, italicizing, underlining) to draw attention to your unique qualifications.

Content/Layout

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Jan 2009 Event Coordinator Hopes of Hope, Mesa, AZ

May 2007- Jan 2009 Cheer Captain, Freshman Squad Cheer Captain, JV Squad

Tracy High School, Tracy, CAMay 2007 – present Youth Worship Team

Southwinds Church, Tracy, CA

VolunteeringI organized a Hopes of Hope event, Mesa, AZ in January ‘09

I was the Cheer Captain, Freshman Squad Cheer Captain, JV Squad at Tracy High School, Tracy, CAStarted singing for my Youth Worship Team in May 2007

and I am still on the team at Southwinds Church, Tracy, CA

Professionalism/IntegrityThings to consider:Is your resume free from misspellings or

typos? Have you made any claims that are untrue?

Your resume is a statement of facts, so do not fudge your dates of employment, job titles, certifications, or educational achievements. It's not only wrong, but more and more employers are conducting background checks.

HeadingPersonal Information Name & Address Phone Number Email Address

HeadingWhat to look for:Is the e-mail address appropriate to be giving to an employer?Example: yourname@gmail.com, NOT SeXyThAnG@gmail.com

Is your name predominant?

Summary of QualificationsGenerally this section is best at the top of the resume, particularly for those with limited experience.Bullet anything that might interest a future employer. Be sure to use action verbs (linked online).

Example: Enthusiastic, high-energy leadership Passionate about serving the community Outstanding communication skills, both one on

one and before groups Goal-oriented, personable, ethical and creative

individual

Education/TrainingYour most recent educational

information is listed first. Add your grade point average (GPA)

if it is higher than 3.0. Mention academic honors or

relevant courses of interest.

Honors/Distinctions/AwardsHave you included any special honors you have received?

School? Sports? Work? Extracurricular Activities?

Professional ExperienceHave you adequately described your experience, be it paid or unpaid?

Did you include your work experience in reverse chronological order?—that is, put your last job first and work backward to your first, relevant job.

Did you include?Title of position? Name of organization?Location of work (town, state)? Dates of employment? Describe your work responsibilities with emphasis on

specific skills and achievements (using action verbs)?

Activities/Community ServiceYou may want to add:Special skills or competencies Leadership experience Service in volunteer organizations Participation in sports or other

activities