Sample Responses for “I am a Writer”

01_02-I am a Writer

***Responding to Other Writers Makes You a Stronger Writer

and Establishes a Class Community***

After you have posted your “I am a Writer” essay, respond to two or three of your classmates’
essays. Look especially for essays that have few or no responses yet. Hint: “1 Post” probably means
the writer hasn’t had any responses yet. Base your responses around the key concepts for responding
to the work of others as outlined in Video [insert number] (i.e., ask questions, be generous, begin
sentences with “I really liked…” etc.)

Special Note: Notice that none of the following responses address grammar or correctness. Instead,
I want you to respond to one another’s “I am a Writer” by engaging with your colleagues’ ideas:

______________________________________________________________________________

Good day to you as well, D---! How wonderful that the "key moments" of your life are so closely affiliated with
writing. For me, when I am really personally invested in what I am writing, I write much more effectively. What I
liked about your essay is that you not only addressed how writing has operated on personal levels for you, but that
you have created a personal, unique approach at times to writing itself with your "air writing" and the code you
used with your girlfriend. My friends and I growing up used to have a code as well that we would use for
communication--thank you for bringing out that memory for me. I'm delighted also that you still write actively
now. What did you study with Environmental Education? What do you teach now? I'm also curious how much or
little you ask your students to write in the classes you teach. Thank you for the chance to read your writing. I’m
glad to be in class with you.
~Professor Comer

Dear R---,
I can think of no more apt label for you than the very one that you seem hesitant to adopt: You are a writer! And
an elegant one at that. I have a colleague who is multilingual, but chooses to write nearly exclusively in Spanish
rather than English. This individual feels similarly to you: no regrets; it's a purposeful choice. I'm delighted that you
are thinking about ways that you can use this course not only to strengthen your academic writing, but also to
rekindle your energy for creative writing and other writing-related goals in your life. The last week of this course
will be devoted to reflecting on how we can transfer the writing-related knowledge, practices, and skills in this class
to other writing and learning occasions. But my hope is that throughout the course students will be doing that kind
of transfer anyway. I'm glad you're in the course, and thank you so much for introducing yourself as a writer.
Excellent title for your post.
~Professor Comer

Dear A---,
Thank you for introducing yourself as a writer! I appreciate your candor at how difficult writing is and how you
don't enjoy it much of the time. I agree with you that writing is difficult, particularly in school-based settings (such
as you mention) where you are asked to write essays and then have your writing judged and evaluated. What I
especially like about your post is that you hope to use writing as a way to "celebrate" the reading that you do--what
an admirable motive for writing. You asked if your post was daunting. I found it honest and reflective. My hope is
that through this class you will have the opportunity to cultivate your critical thinking skills by having
conversations with your classmates, interacting about the readings and one another's writing. I'm glad you are in
the course!
~Professor Comer