Ask students to find a partner.

Encourage students to try to choose different

partners each week, as it is good to get different points of view. (If there is
an odd number of students, make one group of three.)

Have students exchange papers with their partners. Before reading each
other’s papers, each writer should briefly mention any concerns about his or
her own paper. Is there anything in particular he or she wants the partner to
look for while reading?

Each person will silently read the partner’s paper, making marks and
comments on the copy. This week, students should read each paper with the
following questions in mind:

(These questions change each week, so make sure students are aware of
what they should be looking for this week as they review their partners’
papers.)

 Does the writer answer (either directly or indirectly) the “so what”
question? In other words, do the reflections on the meaning of the
experience have depth and poignancy?

 Are there parts of the narrative where you wished the writer would
have explained more or provided more detail?

 When you finished the piece, do you feel like it answered your
questions? (For example, were you left wondering “What ever
happened to Bob?” or “How did such and such turn out?”)

 Do you feel like the writer is sufficiently honest about his or her
emotions or the truth of the experience?

Students should then write two points of praise and two suggestions for
improvement on the back of the paper. When each student finishes reading
the paper and writing comments, he or she will briefly explain those
comments to the partner. After both partners have had a chance to explain
their comments, ask students to quickly find new partners and repeat the
process.