This study investigated the effects of self and peer evaluations and learners’ involvement on the development of assessment criteria in higher education English literature classes. A total of 40 college students participated in the study, extracting five main criteria with 10 sub-standards to assess their group assignments and conduct self- and peer evaluation on their presentations. The results of the learners’ selfand peer assessments were compared with instructor’s assessments and their final grades using one-way ANOVA and correlation analysis. The study also examined the correlation among the assessment criteria to find which factors affected learning outcomes. The study concluded that their participation in the development of assessment criteria positively, affected their critical thinking ability and the selection of subjects for the group presentations. Logicality of writing also affected the outcomes of final assessments. The study concluded that self- and peer assessments can be highly effective in learning processes when learners actively participate in setting the assessment criteria.