Peer Review Activity - Business Email Evaluation
Activity Overview
Use our business email writing evaluation scorecard to provide constructive feedback on your classmates’ email drafts. You’ll work in your groups to evaluate two other teams’ submissions using structured criteria.
Review Process
Step 1: Assignment of Reviews (5 minutes)
- Each group will be assigned two to three email drafts to review
- Access the submitted emails in our shared folder
- Each group reviews different scenarios than the one they wrote
Step 2: Individual Assessment (10 minutes)
- Each group member individually reads both assigned emails
- Form your own opinions about the quality and effectiveness
- Take notes on strengths and areas for improvement
Step 3: Group Consensus (15 minutes per email)
- Discuss your individual assessments as a group
- Reach consensus on scores for each evaluation category
- Develop constructive feedback together
Step 4: Complete Evaluation Forms (15 minutes)
- Use the peer review template for each email
- Submit completed reviews to the appropriate scenario folders
Business Email Writing Evaluation Scorecard
Rating Scale
4 = Effective - Meets or exceeds professional standards
3 = Mostly Effective - Good with minor areas for improvement
2 = Somewhat Ineffective - Needs significant improvement
1 = Ineffective - Does not meet basic professional standards
Evaluation Categories
1. Clarity and Organization
Rating: ___/4
What was good about this aspect:
What could be improved:
2. Appropriateness of Tone
Rating: ___/4
What was good about this aspect:
What could be improved:
3. Completeness of Information
Rating: ___/4
What was good about this aspect:
What could be improved:
4. Professional Formatting
Rating: ___/4
What was good about this aspect:
What could be improved:
5. Effectiveness in Achieving Purpose
Rating: ___/4
What was good about this aspect:
What could be improved:
Overall Assessment
Overall Score: ___/4
(Average of the five category scores)
Final Overall Comments:
Provide 2-3 sentences summarizing the email’s strengths and most important areas for improvement
Peer Review Template Instructions
For Each Review:
- Make a copy of the evaluation template
- Rename the document: “Review of [Scenario Title] by [Your Group Names]”
- Complete all sections thoroughly and constructively
- Save in the appropriate folder for the scenario you’re reviewing
Example Document Name:
“Review of Communicating Project Delays to Clients by Maria, Carlos, and Ana”
Guidelines for Constructive Feedback
Effective Feedback:
- Be specific - “The subject line clearly states the purpose” rather than “Good subject line”
- Be actionable - “Consider adding a specific timeline in paragraph 2” rather than “Needs more detail”
- Be balanced - Highlight both strengths and areas for improvement
- Be professional - Focus on the communication, not the authors
Focus Areas for Each Category:
Clarity and Organization:
- Is the message easy to follow?
- Are key points clearly stated?
- Does the structure support the purpose?
Appropriateness of Tone:
- Does the tone match the situation and audience?
- Is it professional yet human?
- Is the level of formality appropriate?
Completeness of Information:
- Are all necessary details included?
- Can the reader take appropriate action?
- Is context sufficiently provided?
Professional Formatting:
- Is the email properly structured?
- Are there grammar or spelling errors?
- Does it look professional?
Effectiveness in Achieving Purpose:
- Would this email accomplish its stated goal?
- Is the desired action clear?
- Would you respond positively as the recipient?
Time Management
- 30 minutes total for peer review activity
- 15 minutes per email you’re reviewing
- Work efficiently but provide thoughtful feedback
Learning Objectives
Through this peer review process, you will:
- Apply evaluation criteria to business communication
- Develop critical assessment skills for professional writing
- Practice giving constructive feedback in professional contexts
- Learn from diverse approaches to similar communication challenges
📥 Download Peer Review Instructions
Activity Instructions: Find these instructions on our repo and download it!
🤖 AI Study Prompts
After completing your peer reviews, deepen your understanding with these prompts:
- “Based on the emails I reviewed, what are 3 patterns I should notice in effective business communication?”
- “How can I apply the feedback strategies I used today to improve my own professional writing?”
- “What are the most common mistakes in business email writing that I should avoid?”
Week 1 Complete! Next week we’ll explore Presentation Skills in Business Contexts