Greg Martin
Writing is a difficult lonely endeavor, and every writer is a perpetual beginner. Therefore, don’t be ungenerous with another person’s attempts. Such an act will only reflect on you.
Like the Reading Response, the Peer Response is an attempt to describe the qualities of your peer’s essay specifically, to say more than, “I like this,” or “I think this is just beautiful,” which is no good, empty, unless you can say why. But the Peer Response is fundamentally different because you are also charged with trying to help the author improve the piece. Because of this, you must always remember to be conscientious and constructive. Take a risk, say something that will help the author make their piece better, but say it in a way that it can be received well.
The Peer Response has four distinct parts:
1) What did you like about the piece? A perfect image, the way a mood is established, a well-drawn character, dialogue that flowed smoothly or credibly, the structure of the essay, the development of a theme or idea This is not empty flattery, but an attempt to link these qualities that are compelling to the deeper intent of the work.
2) What is the essay about? What are its important concerns? What is the essay’s focus, or organizing principle, or real subject? Here is a question that asks you, in two or three sentences, to attempt to get at the essence of the piece.
3) Choose two quotes from the draft that are each related to one particular craft feature (narrative structure, plot, setting and atmosphere, diction, imagery, characterization, etc.) Give a close reading to each of these quotes that attempts to show how these passages relate to the essay’s real subject.
4) What questions do you have that the essay does not yet answer? What moments in the essay left you confused or in need of clarification? What suggestions can you make that would move this essay closer to what it really wants to be about? What areas might be developed that would make the draft stronger and more compelling?
The Peer Response should be 1-2 pages double spaced, typed.
Please bring two copies to class. One to give to your peer, and one to give to me.
Good Luck!