Thursday Blog Comment

This assignment again asks you to offer a peer some advice on their writing. Here you fill find a link to an assignment. You will also find your name linked to the blog of another student. You will also find some instructions for leaving written feedback that echoes what we went over in class.

Directions (from the text Tutoring Writing)

1. Open a general statement of assessment about the blog'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 blog 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.

Danny
Emmanuel
Jordan
Robbie
Casey
Adam
Andres
Mamadou
Steven
Elvia
Elizabeth
Shabana
Carla

Email me if you want to read and respond to another blog for extra credit.