Class Agenda 11.17

1. Peer Review

Go over peer review instructions (all students must write out reactions to partner; ATTACH ALL COMMENTS YOU RECEIVE UNDER FINAL DRAFT: Papers without comments will lose 7 points off their final score; these 7 points can only be redeemed by visiting the Writing Center before the paper comes due):

What is the goal my response?

The goal of your response is to offer the writer some positive praise and some suggestions for revision based on the assignment. It’s very important the piece addresses the assignment. If you're confused, you need to say why. If they need to expand their ideas, you need to tell which ones, and also how to do it. Their interest and focus should also make you interested. If you weren't interested, they need tell them what they could have done to make you more interested.

As for how you should organize your response, see the directions below. Here are the specific steps:

Comment Directions (from the text Tutoring Writing)

1. Open a general statement of assessment about the piece’s relationship to the assignment. Be clear about which parts fulfill the assignment and which parts need improvement.

2. Present comments so the writer knows which problems with text are most important and which are of lesser importance.

3. Use comments primarily to call attention to strengths and weaknesses in the piece, and be clear about the precise points where they occur.

4. Don't feel obligated to do all the 'fixing.' Refrain from focusing on grammar unless it impedes your ability to understand the piece.

5. Write comments that are text-specific, and uniquely aimed at the piece and the writer.

Strategies

1. Pose at least two questions that ask for clarification or that seek other possible views or more information on the subject.

2. Let the writer know what specific lines, ideas, and stylistic touches you find pleasing.

3. When you make a specific, concrete suggestion for improvement, try couching it in a qualifier: "You might try..." or "Why don't you add..." or "Another way of writing the lead might be..."

4. If you notice a pattern of errors (incorrect use of commas, etc) comment on it in a global way at the end of the piece.

2. May Day: Conclusions

3. 1935 Harlem Riot: Thesis and Images

4.  Documents: in class