Sample Major Assignment Sequence with Conferences
| Dates | Focus |
| Date | Lesson: Assignment Planning Reading Due: Submit Summary/Response Here |
| Date | Lesson: Assignment Planning |
| 09.13 | First Draft Review; First Draft Due |
| 09.18 | Group Conferences |
| 09.20 | Second Draft Review; Second Draft Due |
| 09.27 | Individual Conferences |
| 10.02 | Individual Conferences |
1 – Reflection on Feedback and Writing
As we begin the semester, I’d like for you to reflect on your understanding of the purpose of feedback, your expectations for feedback in this class, and your personal writing goals. This doesn’t need to be very systematic; rather, use it as an opportunity to think freely and openly about certain issues that we often take for granted.
Write a 500-word post and share it on our Blackboard discussion board. Feel free to address some or all of the following points:
- What is the purpose of feedback in the context of your writing classes? Why is feedback valuable to you? Imagine that grades were not a consideration: what would you expect from this class and from the feedback provided by your instructor?
- How do you think feedback can help you improve as a writer? By telling you what you’re doing wrong, by pointing you to examples of good writing, by teaching you the formula to the perfect essay?
- Consider the type of writer you want to become. Do you aspire to be a concise, direct communicator, or would you prefer to develop a more idiosyncratic style, for example? Are you interested in writing insofar as it is required of you in this class, or do you envision doing it in your career?
- Review the course goals provided in the syllabus: e.g. “Increased ability to write critical essays employing a strong thesis statement, appropriate textual citations, and contextual and inter-textual evidence for your ideas.” Now, write a personal course goal. How does it align with your academic and personal objectives?
- Reflect on past experiences as a writer. What have been your two top strengths? On the other hand, what are the aspects of writing that you have struggled with the most in the past?
In addition, respond to at least one other post by a classmate of yours (min. 100 words), whether it is to expand on their idea or agree/disagree with it.
(Assignments 2 and 3 will come later in the semester, when students have completed drafts for their papers).
2 – Dear Reader Letter (500 words)
Email your draft to your assigned partner (cc me), along with a Dear Reader letter.
In this Dear Reader letter, you should explain the core thesis of your essay, the purpose behind your writing, and any specific concerns or areas where you’d appreciate feedback.
Your letter should be a bridge between your thoughts and the reader’s understanding, giving them insight into the goals of your essay and any challenges you’ve encountered. Make sure to express yourself clearly and concisely to engage your reader’s interest and gain valuable insights.
In your letter:
- Begin by briefly summarizing the main topic and thesis of your essay.
- Explain the purpose of your essay and the significance of the topic. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on why you chose to write about a specific topic. What aspects of your discussion do you find particularly interesting, or even difficult to grapple with?
- Highlight any specific areas or aspects of your essay that you find challenging or would like feedback on. This should include both higher-order concerns (structure, thesis, claims) and lower-order concerns (grammar). Not sure if your thesis is clear? Ask! Think you have a problem with comma splices? Mention it! The purpose of this is not only to have your reader address this in their feedback, but to make you more aware of your work’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Convey your enthusiasm for the reader’s insights and thank them for their time and attention.
Consider this letter as your chance to engage your reader and involve them in your writing process. It’s an opportunity to be clear about your intentions and open to constructive feedback.
3 – Chat GPT Feedback Reflection (500 words)
For this assignment, you will submit your essay drafts and Dear Reader letters to ChatGPT to receive feedback on your writing. The idea is not only to use the language model’s feedback, but to reflect on its effectiveness.
In your request to ChatGPT, include the Dear Reader letter you wrote in the previous assignment as an introduction to your essay. Make sure it is clear, informative, and provides insight into your essay’s topic, purpose, and the areas where you are seeking feedback. The exact wording is up to you; ChatGPT will respond differently to every request, so try to be as specific as possible.
Carefully read the feedback provided by ChatGPT. Pay attention to its comments, suggestions, and insights.
Revise your essay draft based on the feedback received. You are encouraged to consider and implement the AI’s suggestions as you see fit.
After receiving feedback from ChatGPT, write a reflection essay evaluating the effectiveness of ChatGPT’s feedback. In your reflection, address the following points:
- Accuracy: Discuss the accuracy of the feedback provided by ChatGPT. Did it correctly identify areas of improvement or concern in your essay?
- Clarity: Assess the clarity of ChatGPT’s feedback. Did you understand the suggestions and comments it offered, and were they easy to follow?
- Helpfulness: Reflect on how helpful ChatGPT’s feedback was in improving your essay. Did it lead to meaningful changes or improvements in your writing?
- Limitations: Acknowledge any limitations or areas where ChatGPT’s feedback might not have been as effective. Were there aspects of your essay that the AI didn’t adequately address?