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SUPPORT FOR STUDENT WRITERS
Organizing
a Successful Group
English
100/101 classes encourage students to help each other revise papers
and assignments. Working with other student writers to revise their
papers encourages you to read your own work more critically and revise
it more thoroughly. Here are suggestions to make the group session
productive.
Divide
Time Equally
Some groups appoint timekeepers.
Be
Supportive But Honest
Building trust is critical.
Bring
a Draft Or Revision To Each Meeting
Make copies for everyone so they can:
- follow along as you read aloud
- take their copy home to re-read
- mark the parts they like
- note the organization
- help you edit later drafts
Prepare
Your Group To Help You
Before reading, explain briefly what you're trying to do, what problems
you're facing, and what kinds of responses you're ready for at this
point.
Read
Your Draft Aloud
Hearing how it sounds helps you decide if that is how you intended it
to sound.
Respond
Thoughtfully To Each Other's Work
In successful groups, trust will be high, but when some participate
less, the trust level drops. Less confident writers may fear their comments
are not helpful enough. Actually they are sometimes the most helpful
group members. The following suggestions will help you give supportive
but honest feedback.
DO
- Focus on the draft's potential.
- Ask questions about unclear or underdeveloped parts.
- Focus on the ideas (clarify, interest level, development, detail) first.
- Tell the writer how the writing affected you.
- Give suggestions for improvement (have you thought of trying _____?).
DON'T
- Point out the weaknesses first.
- Focus on what's wrong with the writing.
- Tell the writer what should be fixed.
- Put words in the writer's mouth.