Peer Review and the Gospel

In my writing classes, I teach the peer review process. A lot of students are hesitant to get feedback from their peers because the peers are not experts, the peers are not the teacher, the peers are not the ones giving the grade, etc. At the same time, the students are also hesitant to give feedback to their peers for comparable reasons. Regardless of those hesitations, I require peer review.

Why am I so evil?

Peer review is necessary for all writers. Here are a few of the reasons:

1. Peer review fulfills the purpose of writing

We never write into the void; we always write to an audience, and peer review provides an opportunity to test our product on an audience. If we have no audience, why bother to write? Therefore, peer review helps make writing purposeful.

2. Peer review is collaborative and we are dumb

I should clarify: we are dumb individually but smart together. Every writer has strengths and weaknesses. Every writer notices different things. For example, I am good at spotting errors punctuation but I need help spotting inconsistencies in my writing style. Another writer can help me make up the difference. Together, we improve.

3. Peer review is a teacher

Peer review requires humility, trust, and effort. Having someone read and critique your writing is terrifying and sometimes humiliating. We can remove that sting and fear through humility. Peer review teaches us to accept correction and maybe even to be inspired by someone else. Since peer review is usually reciprocal, it also teaches us to work to help someone else be corrected and inspired.

4. Peer review is a gospel principle

We have peer review in the gospel, too. The Lord critiques and corrects and inspires those he loves. Such correction fulfills the purpose of life. We need to improve. Repentance (improvement) allows us to collaborate with the Lord because we can't do it on our own. It teaches us to be humble, to trust the Lord, and to work and serve.

My favorite thing about this comparison is that repentance truly is peer review. The Lord is our partner, our equal, when we engage in the process. He becomes our friend and peer. Let's not be so afraid of peer review. Let's improve with the help of our peer.