Peer Review

  • You will work cooperatively to get all 3 of your poems peer reviewed. You will need 3 reviews, so you will be expected to do 3 reviews. Each peer review is worth 30 points as revision credit to the poet.
  • One of your reviews must follow the “Pods of 3 Process” process below. Points are based on following the procedure exactly.
  • The other two poems may be reviewed using this process, precisely, again, or by choosing the Poetry Response Sheet(on the back) or in a combination of the two. Your second and third reviews are also worth 30 points each.

Guidelines to remember:

  • The poems are new. We just want to hear them, and honor them, and see what they’re about. And then we can offer some positive feedback for the poet to consider.
  • Assume each poem is fiction – this gives writers more space. When you talk about the poem, use the words “the speaker,” “the protagonist,” “the narrator” instead of “you.”

Pods of 3 Process

This process is designed for exchanging feedback so that working together will be honest, helpful, and productive.

Part 1: Sharing and Listening

  1. Form groups of 3 of people from class.
  2. Follow the process exactly. DO NOT DEVIATE.
  3. Assign a time keeper. 10 minutes per person. NO MORE.
  4. Make two copies of your choice of ONE of your final 3 poems — one for the poet and one for your reviewers.
  5. Focus on one poem at a time.
  6. Hearing the poem:
  7. The poet should read his or her own poem to the two reviewers. The reviewers do not yet have a copy of the poem.
  8. Listeners should take notes on the poem, including “pointing.” What is working in the poem? What do you remember? Stay very positive. NO DISCUSSIONS OR REACTIONS SHOULD BE SHARED YET.
  9. Now, poets give a copy of the poem to the person on your right.
  10. That person reads the poem aloud to the group.
  11. Listeners, including the poet, take notes on the poem.
  12. NO DISCUSSIONS OR REACTIONS SHOULD BE SHARED YET.
  1. Sharing notes and reactions:
  2. The reviewers, in turn, share their comments with the poet.
  3. The poet listens:
  4. The poetmakes notes on what the reviewers say.
  5. The poet DOES NOT SPEAK.
  6. The poet might be tempted to explain or argue or defend the poem. YOU MUST NOT DO THIS. Instead, consider the comments and reactions and understanding of your peers, and then decide what you want to do with revising your poem.
  7. Reviewers: Sign the reviewers’ copy of the poem and return it to the poet.

Part 2: REVISE

Now, the poet is left to revise. What did you take away from the conference? What changes do you want to make?

For POINTS:

  1. Collect the signed reviewers’ copy of the poem. You may ask for the reviewers notes as well.
  2. Improve your poem and print a fresh copy. Turn in the signed original poem and the revised version for credit.

Poetry Response Sheet – FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!

Part 1: Provide the reviewer with a copy of your poem

Reviewer instructions: Choose 6 questions from this list that somehow pertain to the poem you are responding to. Number those questions with the numbers given below…then provide your response to all of them in one of two places: a] on the poem itself (in the margins or on Post-its®) or b] on a sheet of lined paper that you staple to the draft of the poem. Make sure to number the questions with the number from the list below to show what you are answering.

1. A poem should attempt to describe something or some occurrence in a way that it has never been described before. Unique description: that’s what a poem is.

Comment/Suggest on this poet’s use of unique descriptions inside the poem.

2. Most poets use poetic writing tools (often called poetic devices) that help make the description unique. Comment on as many of the following poetic writing tools as you see in the poem.

  • If this poet used rhyme as one of the poem’s devices, comment/suggest on the poet’s use of rhyme.
  • Imagery in poetry means adding words and phrases that affect all five of the senses when describing. If this poet used imagery as one of the poem’s devices, comment/suggest on the poet’s use of imagery.
  • Simile and metaphor in poetry means comparing things in very unique ways. If this poet used simile or metaphor as one of the poem’s devices, comment/suggest on the poet’s use of simile or metaphor.
  • Personification in poetry means to treat non-living things as if they were alive…in an attempt to describe uniquely. If this poet used personification as one of the poem’s devices, comment/suggest on the poet’s use of personification.
  • Rhythm in poetry means adding words and phrases that make the words sound more interesting...perhaps when read aloud you can hear a beat. Onomatopoeia means using many words that impersonate sound effects to give the poem a more interesting sound. If this poet used rhythm or onomatopoeia as one of the poem’s devices, comment/suggest on the poet’s use of rhythm or onomatopoeia.

7. Comment/suggest on the form of the poem. Does it look enough like a poem? Does the shape make the poem more interesting or meaningful somehow? Explain.

8. Comment/suggest on the (diction) word choice in the poem. Does the poem go out if its way to use interesting verbs and precise adjectives and nouns?

9. Comment/suggest on the meaning of the poem. Does it leave its reader with a better understanding the topic of the poem? Or with a more interesting perspective? What was this poem trying to say about its subject matter?

10. Does the poem both begin and end well? Comment/suggest on the poem’s introduction and conclusion.

11. How does the poem’s title contribute to the poem. Comment/suggest on the title. Suggest alteratives.

12. Other topic I can comment on when responding to this poem:

Part 2: REVISE -- Now, the poet is left to revise.

For POINTS:

  1. The reviewer should sign the reviewed poem/lined paper.
  2. Improve your poem and print a fresh copy. Turn in the signed original review and the revised version for credit.