Peer Critique 6

The Assignment: Annotate the story or stories submitted for peer workshop (see course schedule) and write a 1-2 page constructive critique of the piece(s) to be discussed. See Guidelines below.

Guidelines: Peer Critiques and the Workshop

1. While reading a classmate’s manuscript, make note of things that are working well and remember to convey these things to the writer during workshop. Ask yourself: What are the intentions of the work? What does it seem to be about? What connections, patterns, and correlations exist between incidences and characters? What changes do the characters go through or avoid by the end of the story? Is there sufficient movement (Of event, if the piece has a traditional plot; of emotion, if it turns on a character’s transition from one emotional state to another)? Does the order in which events are presented seem appropriate? If the chronology is twisted, is it usefully twisted? Does the story begin or end too early or too late? Are all the essential scenes present, and in the most effective order?

2. Treat your classmates’ work honestly, but also respectfully and kindly, always keeping in mind what a struggle it can be to write at all. Look first for sentences, passages, or overall effects that strike you as particularly well-done; come to class with an example or two of honest praise from each manuscript that you’re prepared to justify. After we discuss those examples, we’ll have plenty of time to note aspects of the work that may be working less well and that might be further revised.

3. Print the manuscript and note your reactions in the margins. In a separate, typed document addressed directly to the author, write a few paragraphs about the piece. Bring the manuscript and one copy of this separate, typed document to class on the day of workshop + upload a copy for me here. Don’t forget to include your name on your critique and on your copy of the manuscript (so I can give you credit for your critiques and the writer knows who they are from). When we’ve completed our discussion, please give one copy of your typed comments to me and one copy of your typed comments, along with your annotated copy of the manuscript (with your name written at the top), to the writer. Please note that I will not accept late or e-mailed peer critiques.

4. As with annotations of published work, note the formal features of your classmates’ work when preparing a piece to discuss in workshop. Describing these features clearly, as noting how a work is shaped by them sometimes leads to discussion of the work’s deepest issues. Among these features are: Point of view Time management (use of scene and summary/exposition) Image patterns Narrative structure and design Diction Tone

5. The writer should refrain from commenting until asked--no fair explaining what you “really meant.” Save your questions for the end of the discussion and ask the group then.