Before they turn in their first IGCSE English essay for a mark, grade 9 students had a chance to sit down with some peers to discuss their work. Peer editing focuses on constructive criticism, which means giving specific suggestions for improvement, rather than simply stating that something is “good” or “bad”. Having a peer read their writing and give suggestions can be a very powerful method of helping students revise and improve their work. Interestingly, by reading others’ work, students are also then able to revisit their own work and see the areas they need to improve more clearly. By giving them a chance to look at their work in a new light, they have a chance to ensure it is top-notch quality before submitting it as a final copy the teacher.
