Journal 2

Journal 2
I've always been pretty straight foward with people and their writing but after reading Straubs work i see now that i have never really delved into what i'm reading and taken it seriously. This, to me, sets out the problem of being judgemental to writings that i really haven't taken the time or the responsibility to truly think about. In a way i've been editing with my head up my ass, hoping they don't call me out or feel disrespected. With now new ideas and eyes opened i can see that my editing problems can easily be revised.

Journal 2

I never really gave to much thought to the revision process. Reading Richard Straub’s “Responding—Really Responding—to Other Students’ Writing” has really opened my eyes and given me a whole never perspective on revision. Straub has changed how I view myself as a responder and has taught me several valuable tips that i can apply to my first workshop. I now look to help the writer rather than just getting the revision over with. I aim to point out the weaknesses of the paper in order to help the writer grow. The comments in my future revisions will be more elaborate so that there is no misunderstanding when the writer is looking back on them. I will also learn to be more careful not to tamper with the writing too much because it isn't mine to tamper with. My job is to help the writer not change the writing.

Journal 2

Before reading Straub’s essay I didn’t understand the importance of the person revising your paper. Not only does he help you on your paper but also, he makes you feel better and teach you more. I never knew what to look for in a paper when revising, like Straub said in his essay I would revise to satisfy the teacher and leave no surprises for the writer. But after reading his essay I have learned the significance in a reviser for the writer and the grader. Now I believe I am capable of giving comments in a friendly way that will be useful for the writer.

Journal 2

Before ready Straub's writing, I have always thought to just find as many tiny errors with the paper as possible, all while thinking I was helping out the writer. I only corrected papers if I had to because I thought that the more red marks on the paper, the more i was helping the writer. Now, I realise it is not all about making the paper bleed red ink, but more about the soul of the paper. It is more about how the paper reads than the actual words on the paper. I have realized that I help out the writer more if i tell them how the paper flowed rather than telling them minor details that spell check can fix. A writer needs an opinion more than a concrete grammar.

journal 2

Before reading Richard Straub’s essay about how to respond and correctly help critic someone else’s paper, I always thought it was a waste of time to revise. After reading what Straub had to say, my opinion towards revising has done a complete one eighty and I feel it is especially use full. Revising a friend’s work not only benefits me, but it also benefits them as well. While I revise someone else’s work, it could help me with my weaknesses and I may realize that my work isn’t really as clear as I would like it to sound. For the first workshop, I would keep in mind that it would be my peers’ first draft and to see what they are aiming at and if I feel the same connection they are. I wouldn’t say anything critical, but I would tell them what I like and don’t like and maybe it would help them see what others might see. The essay has made me see how revising is truly beneficial both ways, so now I am eager to revise someone’s paper and I would be happy to receive criticism and advice from my peers.

Journal 2

Before reading Straub's essay, I believed that in order to correctly revise other students essays, I had to correct grammar and sentence structure. However, Straub made me realize that we're not editors but merely counselors. We aid the writer to fix ideas that may appear vague to the reader and guide them to realizing what it is they are trying to say. I can apply this concept of revising to my first workshop as I work with my peers to not simply correct improper grammar but to work with the piece as a whole.

Journal 2

Before reading Straub’s essay, I didn’t really know what to write in response to a paper that I was editing. I wasn’t sure whether to be brief or to explain. When I did choose to explain, I wasn’t sure if I was explaining too much or if I should explain more. After I read this essay, I understand how I should be revising someone’s paper. I need to leave out just general statements and start explaining more and to give just as much praise as criticism. I can apply what Straub said to my first workshop by fully explaining myself when I revise a paper both within the text and also by writing a note at the end. I did learn about responding to my peers. I need to sound more like a friend to the writer and less like a teacher.

Journal 2

Before reading Straub's essay, I thought of revising a peer's paper as annoying and unnecessary. I thought that my input wouldn't really help their paper. All I would do was correct a few punctuation marks and misspelled words. After reading Straub's essay, I've realized that students can really help each other improve their work by being honest and making suggestions without being too harsh. Straub also discussed not sounding too much like a teacher, which I think is really important because you don't want to be condescending to someone who is on your level. Instead of just writing "add more details", now I realize I need to write specifically where I was looking for more details. Asking the writer questions about what it looked like or how they felt during what they are describing can help create more visuals for the reader, and result in a better paper. I've learned that it is okay to go more in depth about what I liked and then offer some criticism.

Journal 2

Like most kids in high school I did not really care about editing my friends paper. I guess because my friend did not really care about editing my paper too. In secondary school it was just the "cool" thing to do. My later years in high school I actually started to put more effort towards editing and revising a classmates paper. I have actually started to think more and put more effort into the responding process. After reading Straub's piece I picked up a few tips and realized how important a well thought out revision process could be for a student's paper. I learned that for the best revisions it helps to get pass the happy mold that students create. Students including myself usually comment on how well written the paper is and how there are barely mistakes present in the piece. Straub says the best revisions are from people that get past the personal relationships and are more critical. In the next workshop I will definitely give both a well amount of supportive and constructive criticism. Overall, when responding to my peers I think the key is to have a balance. A person revising a piece has to give a good amount of feedback, but at the same time he or she cannot takeover the writers paper.

Journal 2

Prior to Straub's piece I did exactly what the first paragraph accused all of us of doing. Making a few good comments, grammatical corrections, please the teacher a little bit; basically just getting in, getting out. I also thought I should be like the teacher or a judge instead of just giving some assistance. I forget that it's not MY paper and my peer is just simply asking for my advice and opinion. After reading this piece however, I now realize how crucial it is to be more of a reader than an editor. I can back off a little bit and not throw myself into their paper as if it's my own. I learned I need to let them figure out what angle to come from, or where or say a certain sentence. They need to learn were to place things just as much as I do.

Journal 2!

Before reading Straub's essay, I didn't take revision seriously. I didn't think that I was capable of giving comments that were actually helpful, because I'm not any teacher. After reading, now I realize the benefits of revision. I have learned that my comments should be constructive and not so critical. I shouldn't blatantly pick out someone's errors, but to try to be more of a helper. I know now that I should pay attention to more details, and less skimming, because I think their paper or topic is uninteresting. During the first writing workshop, I will be a positive critic to myself and to my peers. The more I focus on revision, the more successful my final draft will be.

I have never liked to revise other peoples' papers because I never knew what to look for. Usually when I revise papers I just look for misspelled words or where the writer is missing a comma. But after reading what Straub had to say I realized that I always like when people give me constructive criticism on my papers. My opinion has changed because I'm probably not the only one who wants to improve his or her papers. I can apply what Straub said because I understand the whole grading papers thing better. I learned that it's not good to be short and sweet and to be specific about what I'm confused on.

JOURNAL DOS

Prior to reading Straubbie boy's essay, revising the essays of my peers has been a tedious chore. No good feelings are generated through criticism of a fellow friend and classmate, well maybe sometimes. Revising and responding always seemed like something that a teacher should do, or any other person more qualified than myself. Now that I have read Rich's essay, my feelings have changed entirely about revising a friend's paper. Revision seems to benefit both the author and the grader; the author is able to see where he was unsuccessful and the grader is able to review the concepts. This essay has made me optimistic about revising throughout the duration of the first workshop. I mean I'll probably do a backflip because I'm not able to contain my excitement. My peers are no doubt eager to recieve my criticism and I am equally eager to criticize. Now that I have broken out of my revising shell, I'm going to revise like a superstar.

journal 2

Before I had ever read Straub's essay about responding to fellow student's essays, I had always had the mindset that it was stupid and that I didn't care. After reading this essay, I have learned that not only is it loads of help to my peers when done properly, but it is also beneficial to correctly respond to an essay. It is beneficial to me because it enables me to learn a thing or two about my own writing and what I could be doing better. When reading over a paper correctly, yo can see many similar flaws you and your fellow student make, and then figure out the best ways to fix them. During our first writing workshop, I am going to make sure I properly respond to the writing I am given and hopefully become a better writer myself.

Before reading Straub's essay, I didn't think much about revising. The thought of revising another student's paper is different. When I was asked to revise a student's paper in high school, I thought whatever no one will really care what I think. I didn't think that me pointing out another student's errors in paper would really benefit them. If anything I thought that the student would think that I was just being picky and if anything think I was a total d-bag. Now that I have read Straub's essay my opinion has changed. If someone asks me to look over their paper, I'm not going to try and tell them what they want to hear, but I am going to tell them what they asked of me. I learned that when responding to peers I shouldn't sound so critical, but I should sound more like a colleague. When commenting I should be specific and write out full sentences instead of abbreviating. I now know that detail is better. I should always be ready to expect more from the writer. I should try and write just as many good things about the paper, as critical things.

Journal 2: Responding to "Responding..."

Read and respond to Richard Straub’s “Responding—Really Responding—to Other Students’ Writing.” What were you ideas and attitudes toward revising and responding before reading Straub's essay? Have your opinions changed? How? How can you apply what Straub said to your first workshop? What did you learn about responding to your peers?

Due: Wednesday, June 30

Journal #1

Throughout the course of my life I have considered myself a great writer. I have always felt as though I have been a step above my peers; many scholars have complimented me on my great command of the English language. For these reasons, I have been composing my own works of literature for almost five years. My mother has been my main source of support; she has always supported my dream to become the greatest writer of Western literature. While I may already be a legend in my own mind, I decided to take this class to pull away from the pack, so to speak. I wish to refine my writing skills in order to achieve this goal.

Journal 1: OMG! Writing is Totally My BFF!

Do you consider yourself a writer? Why or why not? In addition, why do you write—is it for a grade, leisure, communication, work, etc.? What are you hoping to accomplish in this class?

Due: Tuesday, June 29

Welcome!

This is our class blog, where I hope you'll enjoy reflecting on issues that matter to you and our class. I look forward to reading what you have to share.

Leigh