Politeness theories in pragmatics (such as Brown and Levinson, 1978) predict that face-threatening acts (FTAs) are usually mitigated as they threaten the positive and/or negative face of the hearer. This paper investigates the two speech acts of criticisms and suggestions used in ESL speakers' written samples and how they are mitigated. 40 ESL university freshmen evaluated a composition by a peer classmate. They were instructed to make comments on the composition and provide suggestions/criticisms if necessary. It is found that criticisms and suggestions in these reviews were often softened by hedges, point of view distancing expressions, understatement markers, diminutives, or compliments to counter-balance possible face damage caused by the two speech acts. These results resemble what Johnson and Roen (1992) found in their peer-review data provided by American English speakers, but the number of redressive devises used by the ESL writers was smaller. It is suggested that some politeness considerations may be universally expected when FTAs are involved in an everyday interaction.