As your syllabus states, for each essay that you write, you will have the opportunity to share a draft with class members.

• Do note that I may have moved your draft if you posted in a batch that was already full.

Step 1: Read and listen to the drafts of other class members.

• Read the drafts of those who have posted their essays in the same Batch as you have. Also, check Writer's Workshop, voice, and see if your batch partners have recorded an audio draft.

• Recall that the minimum number you need to read and respond to is three.  So if there are fewer than four in your batch when you set out to read drafts after Tuesday midnight, 9/15/09, go read ones from other batches.

  • However, if there are three others in your batch, please read and respond to those drafts. Otherwise, your batch partners won't get as much feedback. And I will reduce your audience response grade.

In other words, I must see in the Writer's Workshop forum that you've read and responded fully (step 2 below) to at least three drafts--and they must be in your batch if the drafts are turned in as noted above--in order to receive a response from me to your draft. And you will earn credit for the prewriting, draft, audience response and reflection for essay 1 only if your responses to three other drafts are completed when you submit the revised essay to me.

By the way, if you respond to more than three drafts, following the procedure explained below, I will give you extra points for doing so. (However, this counts only if you have read and responded thoroughly to those in your batch. And the maximum number of extra responses for which you can earn extra points is two.)

Step 2: Respond to the drafts you read and listened to by doing the following:

• copy the following questions,

  • (do it this way so it's easy for your partner to follow your answers)

• paste them into a blank page of your word processor and

  • (rather than typing directly into Angel--less chance of losing your work if your browser freezes up or your Internet connection goes down)

• type the answers under each question.

1. Which examples, word choices, details, stories, emotions, or such really moved you or impressed you?

2. What do you think is the thesis, the overall point that the essay seems to make?

• What is significant, interesting or curious about this point? (Hint: does it clearly express something unique or fresh about the subject?)

• If the thesis is dull or expresses the obvious, how can the significance be improved?

Review the virtual lecture about thesis statements.

3. What part of the paper would you like to have seen more detail or more examples? In other words, what questions do you have about the subject that weren't answered by the essay?

4. Where was the essay hard to follow as you were reading?

Also, review the growing list of tips for effective responding in the Writer's Café.

And make sure you responses are thorough and specific. They will need to be so in order for you to earn full credit for this assignment.

Step 3: Post your responses to the writers.

• Click on Reply of the draft you've responded to.

• Add a Post Title as follows:

  • [Your name]'s response to [partner name]'s draft

  • Example: Lyndsey's response to Jamie's draft

    • Doing so will make finding responses easier.

  Then, you can upload two ways:

1. Copy the audience response from your word processor and paste into the message box.

   • Or

2. Attach the response file, but make sure you first save it as rich text format.

Also, I suggest you check off "Send replies to course mail" under Advanced Options. That way if the writer has a question for you about your response, you'll be notified in your email.

Step 4: Consider responses from your batch partners.

• Before completing your revised draft, make sure to read and consider how your batch partners responded to your draft.

• Remember that these responses are from members of your audience, this class. 

  • Consequently, you have a rare opportunity to see how your essay is affecting them.

  • Obviously, you won't necessarily revise your essay based on everything they say. But do consider changes that might help them more clearly understand what you are expressing.

    • Especially consider changes to aspects of your essay that more than one person comment on.

• Also, you will be asked questions about the audience responses in your reflection, which will be available by Friday 5 p.m.

Note: rather than checking back frequently to see if anyone has responded to your essay, click on your draft link and then click on Edit. After clicking on Advanced options, check off "Send replies to course mail." That way, whenever you check your email, you'll find whether or not anyone has responded.

Grading

The total number of points you can earn on audience responses is 30.

• If you fulfill the minimum requirements--post a complete draft on time, read (and listen to if an audio draft is available) three batch member drafts, answer the questions, post in Angel--you will earn 21 points.

• If your answers are thorough, thoughtful and insightful, then you will earn 24-30 points. Expect it to take you a minimum of two hours responding to batch member drafts in order to present such answers.

Due Date

Audience responses will present you fewer benefits if you don't get them with sufficient time to reflect on the feedback and then revise your paper.

• Thus, all audience feedback needs to be completed by Thursday midnight, 9/17/09.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call me or e-mail me. My phone number and office hours are right above the Table of Contents on the Online Syllabus. I do have voice mail for my phone if I'm not in.

The next steps are to be completed after each group member has read his or her draft and gotten verbal feedback. You may have time to begin in class Monday, but likely you'll do them Wednesday, or outside of class.

By the way, if you respond to more than three drafts, following the procedure explained below, I will give you extra points for doing so. (However, this counts only if you have read and responded thoroughly to your first three drafts. And the maximum number of extra responses for which you can earn extra points is two.)

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[Essay 1 page] [Read drafts] [Respond to drafts] [Post responses] [Consider  responses] [Grading] [Due date]

Created by Dan Holt 9/8/1997
Revised 14 Sep 2009 05:33 PM -0400