How to Workshop in English 1100

So what is a workshop anyways? You may have heard of a writing workshop before, but it's usually called another name...peer review. In this classroom, we will not use this term, as it suggests you are merely reading over your classmates' work, checking for grammar and spelling errors, and making vague, general commentary. In our classroom, we will treat each other with respect and view each other as writers of a work in progress. We will be respectful of everyone's work, make constructive comments, and refrain from using vague comments like "I liked it," "good job," or "needs work." 

Workshopping is about looking at the big picture as well at the details of your classmates' work and offering suggestions on what they do well, what needs come clarification, and having discussions about what types of writing strategies are working and which aren't. Remember, this isn't about being overly critical or overly nice, it's about helping each member of your writing group write their best essay possible, so don't be afraid to make big suggestions and help each other out!

Writing workshops are extremely important and are requirements for finishing your final essay. In fact, they are so important that they are worth 10 points (an entire letter grade!) on your final draft and missing either day of workshopping will result in the deduction of these points. As per the syllabus, if you miss one day of workshopping, your automatic starting grade will drop from 100 to 95. If you miss both days, your automatic starting grade will drop from 100 to 90. Various points will be deducted for failing to complete the required workshop letters. 

YOU MUST UPLOAD YOUR FULL DRAFT TO CANVAS BEFORE CLASS ON WEDNESDAY. YOU ALSO MUST BRING YOUR LAPTOP, iPAD, TABLET, ETC. TO CLASS WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WRITING WORKSHOP.

In class on Wednesday, September 4th, you will find your designated workshop drafts uploaded and assigned to you on Canvas. You should begin reading the drafts of everyone in your group. In addition to reading the draft, you should write a letter response (one for each member of your writing group) to the essay that does all of the following:

• Begins by addressing the author of the essay by name in  (i.e.-- "Dear Jane,") and closes with signing your name ("Sincerely,  Lauren").
• Say what the author does really well. What’s are the strengths of this draft?
• Are there any places that are weaker than the rest? Where should the author place his or her focus in revisions? The organization, the analysis, the introduction, the conclusions?
• Identify what you see at the author's thesis statement.
• Address the concerns the author raises in the author’s note.
• Address any additional concerns you have that the author may not have noticed.

Also address the following questions:

• Is tone formal and academic? Or is the tone too casual or conversational?
• Briefly scan for MLA issues/problems and address where it looks like the author might need to re-read or revise their work.
• Do you have a clear sense of what the advertisement is about?
• Are the main claims about the advertisement explained and supported by evidence from the commercial and analysis of that evidence?
•  Is the argument style of the advertisement identified? Is the commercial's rhetorical strategy targeted towards ethos, pathos, or logos?
• What claims is your classmate making about how the advertisement works? What are they using as evidence for their claims (quotes,  descriptions of images, etc.) and is it sufficient? Do they need more evidence or more analysis anywhere? 
• Does the writer provide TOO much summary? 

As you write your letters, you must post them to Canvas for your workshop partners to read. You may not finish all of your workshop letters in class-- for homework you MUST finish writing your letters and submit them on Canvas before class begins, as you will be discussing them in class on Friday. 

On Friday, September 6th, you must bring your laptop to class and you must come prepared to discuss each other's work. As there are generally 5 members per group, you will spend 10 minutes discussing each person's draft together for the 50 minute class period. 

I expect that you will all write thoughtful and helpful response letters to your group members. Remember, this is a writing community and we have a common goal as a class to become better writers and to help each other along the way.