Thursday's class we did something I thought I would enjoy...peer review.
Normally in a peer review I sit and cannot wait to hear what someone has to say about my writing. After all, they are in the same position as me. Perhaps they have thought differently about something we have learned than I have.
It always seems to be effective for me. Always, just was downgraded to usually.
My problem was my reader didn't understand what I said. I wish I meant they couldn't understand my writing because of the writing itself. But no. They couldn't understand the wording at all.
I'm not trying to be offensive to my peer here and by all means, I'm not. I think the person is one of the coolest in the class. I think we all had some confusion with each other because after all, we aren't all experts in the field.
So why did I find this so unhelpful when I always find peer editing helpful?
I think the biggest difference is I couldn't change a thing after the person spoke on it. When my commentator was done, I was in the same boat as five minutes before. My grade stayed the same but now I was upset because I sat defenseless in the class.
I think the peer editing itself is a good thing. I always enjoy peer editing. I get my best ideas out of the start of peer editing.
I like it because after my peer edits I can change, mold and sculpt my masterpiece. Sure they ripped it apart, but they did that before the scarlet pen got to the paper.
Do I like my grade on my copy? Oh yes I do! Do I wish I could change a few things my peer found? Oh I yes I do!
My only wish for the process is we do it before the final copy is turned in. Then I think the class won't seem so frustrated with the process. I'm sure there are more than me that weren't exactly happy following class.
Until then, another day, another sentence, another master piece. On to finish that travel piece!
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1 comments:
Bryan,
sorry you felt so frustrated after the peer review. I appreciate your honesty on this and I actually like your idea of doing this before you hand in the story. So maybe we can do that from your next assignment.
As for this previous review and your reviewer not understanding what you meant, I would have said something if I were you. If you don't really mind the peer review and you have no problem admitting it was your story, then defend what you wrote. Or you could always do it in person, just between the two of you.
It is possible that others won't always get what you mean or not read it the same way you intend others to read it. It doesn't necessarily mean your writing is unclear or that the reviewer is incompetent. It might just be differences in your writing styles or one person might be reading too much into a story, while another person doesn't.
In any case, as I mentioned earlier, the whole point of the peer reviewing was to help you guys avoid the same mistakes/weaknesses in future stories. But maybe we can start the peer review early so that you can also catch some errors before you turn it in to be graded. We'll talk about your suggestion tomorrow in class!
Thanks again for your honesty.
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