sjsprWriting

Three readers work with one piece of writing of a fourth student. Other students observe.

writer reads aloud their work to the three readers.

each reader gives the writer a compliment about the content of the piece.

writer tells readers what their favorite part of the piece is.

readers tell writer why that part of the piece is effective/beautiful/impactual.

readers make suggestions of improvement for a weak part of the piece, with direction toward voice, organization, literary devices, or tone.

writer asks clarifying questions.

readers read aloud their favorite line, with direction toward voice, organization, literary devices, or tone.

• the reader reads the writer’s work aloud to the writer (writer is silent)

• the reader summarizes to the writer what they understood the piece to be about (writer is silent)

• the writer clarifies any misunderstandings, any missing ideas, etc (reader is silent)

• the reader tells the writer what they like about the piece, what the writer could work on, and then gives them some sort of encouragement in what they can do for future publications (I call this the “Critical Sandwich”)

• the writer summarizes what the reader’s criticism and encouragement were.

• switch readers.