This piece is useful for the readers who will help us edit our papers. I definitely would like someone who is honest with me. Give me as much criticism as you like. I want to improve my writing skills. I might be embarrassed about how much you commented or write. However, I know at the end of the day, what you are doing for me is helping me and that is great. It might make sense to me what I’m writing, but from the eyes of an outsider, it might not make sense to you. I like how Richard Straub mentions that readers need to focus on the big picture, instead of the minor details like grammar (136).
Straub emphasizes on do not sound like a teacher, but more like an acquaintance/ friend. I find that useful because I would not want someone giving me feedback and saying something such as “figure out yourself”, or “you can do better”. However, actually giving back feedbacks with support and suggestion, that will make the writer improve. Giving suggestions does not mean you tell the writer what to do, it is a path/ idea that the writer can take.
It is funny how Straub says do not be stingy, and write a lot of comments. I find this interesting because if I’m giving is well-written piece of paper, I will not be able to write a lot. Yet, if it’s a shitty first draft, then I will definitely write as much as possible. I also get a little pissed off when a classmate who is reading my draft and says a certain part is unclear. The reason is I do not understand why is it unclear, and it would have been better if the reader explains to me which phrases/ parts are unclear. Do fifty percent criticism and fifty percent praise (141). The comments made should be thoughtful, respectful, and reasonable.
5 thoughts on “Responding to Others’ Writing”
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Even when a teacher grades a paper, they may not always give out constructive criticisms. I have been frustrated on situations where certain teachers in my past experiences with education have given out completely vague comments. “This needs more details” or “You need to work on your introduction” offer completely no insight. How am I to go about doing that? That’s what a reader needs to convey.
I’m pretty much the same when it comes to someone giving me feedback. I don’t mind them if they give me more constructive criticism because I feel like its going to help me become a little bit better with my writing. General comments don’t really help out. Of course, when someone is writing comments on my paper I would want them to be detailed in places where they might not understand a piece of my writing.
I think the issue of vague comments can also happen with teachers, I’ve had a few situations where my teacher would write comments that were so vague and useless I couldn’t even improve my writing. I agree with you that this piece is helpful for those that are going to be editing our writing and I am also a fan of receiving a lot of feedback on my writing. I find it a good way to improve my writing and also see the parts that people understand and don’t understand and figure out how I can fix it.
The problem with too much comments is that they can sometimes be redundant and vague, because there is so much. Personally, I wouldn’t prefer a hectic amount of comments. Just a couple of really good constructive comments. Although the fifty percent praise and fifty percent criticism may not be the best thing to do, I can agree that it is very effective. I’m sure our class enjoys receiving comments(publicity) on their blogposts, so they should enjoy receiving critiques and comments. After all, they’re two sides of the same coin.
I think you brought up a very good point here about being as honest as possible in our responses and comments. It seems as if many people are afraid to fully speak their mind without filters when giving feedback. I don’t know about most people, but if i wrote, excuse my language, a “shitty” paper i would like to know about it and how to improve it. I wouldn’t appreciate it if my reader beat around the bush and told me it’s an “okay” paper, because ultimately my final grade will be affected by the advice they give me.