Despite some traffic delays, Session 2 of the Professional Writing Institute at Rutgers University is off to a great start! My two main objectives for participants in today's session are to 1. allow time for working together in response groups, and 2. provide a big block of time designated for independent writing.
Before the groups started to give feedback today, we took some time to establish some "dos" and "don'ts" of Response Group Protocol. Here's what participants had to say:
DO - Listen/Comment on what's working/Offer advice, guidance, examples if the writer is open to it/Establish "what's on the table" with a Writer's Memo/Pay attention to verbal and non-verbal comfort cues/Use "I" statements/Focus on content
DON'T - Focus on mechanics with a first draft/Talk when receiving feedback/Judge/Cry :(
There are three response groups in the room right now. The energy is palpable. Teacher-writers are listening and sharing their progress since the last session.
I decided to give back the index cards that participants composed at Session 1. I figured the index cards would serve as reminders of our original intentions on that first day. I even hear one participant say, "I was trying to think of a title for my article... and here it is on this card from last time!" Perfect.
I HEART my response group. Chip and Shannon gave me some detailed and helpful feedback regarding what they expected based on the first few paragraphs of my article. Even though I had completed a draft, we didn't look over the whole thing during our response group time. Instead, I made a big list of what they needed / expected as readers. Some of the things they mentioned, I had already included. But some are missing and that is my direction for the next draft. I can't wait for my next writing date with Brie.
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