Additional Peer Review Guidelines

Here is a list of questions from http://www.mhhe.com/mayfieldpub/maner/resources/peer3.htm

REVISION QUESTIONS FOR PEER COLLABORATORS 

The thesis sentence

1. a. Is the overall purpose of the paper clear to you from the thesis sentence?
1. b. Does the thesis adequately predict the paper's plan of development?

Support for the thesis

2. a. Does every paragraph and sentence in the paper clearly support the thesis?
2. b. Are there portions of the paper unrelated to the thesis? (For example, are there unnecessary summaries or sections of apparent padding?)

3. Are there sufficient examples and pieces of evidence to support the thesis persuasively?

Organization

4. a. Is the overall organization of the paper clear and effective?
4. b. Did you feel lost at any point?

Insight

5. Does the paper convey interesting insights into its subject?

Overall quality

6. What are the paper's main strengths?

7. What are the paper's main weaknesses?

Suggestions for revision

8. What specific recommendations can you make concerning the revision of this paper?

The key factor in peer reviews is "attitude." Here are some suggestions to get you into the proper mood. 

Some "Do's" and "Don't's" of Peer Evaluationshttp://www.mhhe.com/mayfieldpub/maner/resources/peer5.htm

Peer Evaluations: Some "Do's"

1. Do treat the writer with courtesy and respect.
2. Do comment on the performance, not the person.
3. Do focus on how the argument is supported (or not), rather than whether you agree or disagree with it.
4. Do aim for balance and completeness in pointing out strengths and problem areas.
5. Do comment on specific examples of strengths and problem areas.
6. Do aim to help the writer see how to improve future work as well as the current draft.

Peer Evaluations: Some "Don't's"  

1. Don't use snippy marginal comments such as "So what?" or "What's your point?"
2. Don't get into debates over unresolvable questions of individual value and belief (for example, questions relating to religion, gun control, or abortion).
3. Don't argue with the writer. Raise objections or ask for explanations only to clarify and suggest ways of strengthening the argument.
4. Don't confine your comments to mechanical details.
5. Don't make vague, global comments.
6. Don't rewrite for the writer.