Completing In-Class Peer Evaluations
At a minimum, write five comments: three positive comments and two areas for improvement. Address only one criterion per comment.
- Use a “+” or “–” sign in front of each comment to help identify them easily. Address one criterion per statement.
- Start with a positive comment. Always begin by commenting on a strength.
- Use “you,” not “he” or “she.”
- What is good? Describe using specific examples.
- Why is the behavior positive? Explain.
- After stressing good aspects of a speech to ensure the person will continue to do what works well, point out two weaknesses/areas of improvement so the person can improve. While pointing out areas of weakness of a speech can help the speaker improve in the future, accompany each comment with a constructive alternative. Be sure to word each comment demonstrating interpersonal skills.
- What was not so good? Describe the behavior using specific examples.
- Why was the behavior considered an area of needed improvement?
- How can the speaker improve that behavior? Give a helpful coaching suggestion.
- Be specific. Study the differences between the two samples provided at the end of this chapter when it comes to specificity. What critique provides more valuable insight? What makes a comment effective or not effective?