You’ve heard the pitches. You’ve given yours. Now it’s time to review and get reviewed. It’s your final opportunity to offer critiques and receive feedback to help make your project, and those of your classmates, just that much stronger before crossing the finish line.

  1. This activity can be done as a class or in small groups.
  2. Set a time limit for the peer review session and then equally divide that time between each of the pitched projects, ensuring everyone gets to hear feedback on their work.
  3. The reviewers should be using the notes they took during the pitches, as well as the guide below. Consider offering tangible help (where possible) so the reviewee can better implement your advice.
  4. The reviewee is encouraged to record or, at least, take notes of the feedback session. You can refer to this guide on receiving criticism if you’d like. Be sure to ask for examples or tangible help (where possible) from the reviewer if you want to implement their advice.
  5. At the end of the peer review session, everyone should have a better sense of how close they are to completing their final project, and have a list of ideas that can help make it even stronger.
  6. Take the time, at home or during the next class, to rework or refine your final project based on the feedback you’ve received. This might feel like a setback or a failure, but it’s just another step towards a better outcome.

Policy Review Guide

Describe

  • What was your first thought when you reviewed the policy? Why?
  • Who is or what will be impacted by the policy?
  • What do you believe is the policy’s ultimate goal?

Analyze

  • What is the name of the policy? Is the preamble and the summary clear? Do they help you understand the intent of the policy better? Is the information accurate and reflective of the policy’s content?
  • In your opinion, who is the main benefactor (issue, stakeholder or both) of the policy?
  • Are there sub-benefactors? Will the policy address other priorities, issues or stakeholders while helping the main benefactor?
  • Do the provisions and clauses (supporting details) help add to the understanding of the policy?
  • Are the explanatory notes/is the sourcing reliable, accurate and complete?
  • Is the bill missing any elements? Are there laws, treaties or other legal consequences that need to be addressed?

Interpret

  • Why do you think the policy is being proposed?
  • What is the purpose of the policy? To offer a solution? To ban something? To incent an action?
  • What message will the policy send to the public?
  • Is there enough detail in the policy to create an effective, impactful result? Or will additional policies be required to fully solve the problem being addressed?
  • Is there anything confusing that needs clarification?

Evaluate

  • Do you agree with the policy?
  • What do you like the most about it? What do you dislike?
  • Is it well researched and well thought-out?
  • Is it reasonable? Is it well-focused or is it too detailed/not detailed enough?
  • Were stakeholders properly consulted in the drafting of the policy?
  • How do you think the policy will be received? Do you think bipartisan support is possible?
  • Can you think of any improvements that would make this policy proposal more effective?
  • Why do you think the policy will be successful, or unsuccessful?
  • What might you have done if given the opportunity to craft your own version of this policy?