Hey everybody! Last class we mostly worked on peer editing each other’s papers, so I worry this blog post might not be very informative or interesting, but I figure an appropriate post could be about some motivation to peer edit as well as some suggestions (via my own personal experience) to make writing, and re-writing, more fun.
One of the main problems I sometimes I have with my writing is that I think it’s great when it’s not, or the whole process of writing an essay has been so arduous that the idea of going back and rereading it just seems like torture. I’m actually very appreciative that we’ve been able to see our writing through each other’s eyes. Plus, the benefits of being able to see other’s writing has been inspirational. I love the group collaboration that we’ve been able to do on this writing.
I think the key thing to worry about with writing that can sometimes be lost in a classroom setting is that it shouldn’t just be, like, a formulaic list of grammatically correct observations. The essays that I think are the best, that will have the most impact and can communicate ideas best (either to an audience or even a professor that’s had to grade dozens of the same essays) are the ones that communicate some sort of genuine human element. I think what’s important to craft good essays is to try and put as much of your own voice into it.
Good luck on your essays everyone!
I really like your advice and outlook on the peer writing process. At times, I also find myself dreading peer review sessions. In our workshop, it helped immensely to take it slowly and methodically. The structure of marking up each paragraph and commenting on the grammar, structure, content, etc., helped to not only view someone else’s paper effectively, but when reviewing our own papers we can apply the same lessons. The exposure to our classmates’ papers was informative and encouraging.
I think it was essential to have others read our papers. For certain ideas I knew what I meant when I developed the paper but it didn’t quite transfer on paper. It was good to know which parts I needed to clarify and which parts had too many details. With this input after a peer looked at my first draft, I was able to actually answer my thesis with a relevant supporting reason. I agree with Violet in that it is important to have your own voice in your writing. With some peer comments of which parts of the essay lack that individuality, I think it can improve how your audience understands what you are trying to say. Overall, I think the peer editing was very helpful and productive for this essay and future ones.
I agree! Sometimes when I’m in the peer review mindset, I start trying to meld somebody’s style to align with my own, so I have to actively stop myself from doing that. Everyone has a personal way of writing and that’s definitely to be encouraged.
Additionally, I think the peer review process makes the reviewer a better writing by thinking more specifically and intentionally about the way that papers ought to function. Especially when it comes to organization, I think one can learn immensely about the writing process through workshopping.
I agree that everyone has a personal way of writing and different messages they are trying to convey. However I think it’s awesome to get different persepectives on what people are writing on and it helps me brainstorm on what ideas I could put in my essay.