ACTIVITY 9.6
Sharing Drafts

Now that you have completed a draft, this would be a good time to share that draft with peers to get some feedback. As has been the case at this stage on previous projects, you have the option of giving and receiving feedback in small or large face-to-face or on-line groups, depending on how much class time you have to dedicate to this stage of the project or what kind of CMC system is available.

No matter what type of feedback process you choose, it is still important that you reflect upon your own draft, to help you make sense of both what you've accomplished thus far and what you want to accomplish on future drafts. Reflecting on your progress to date also helps you prepare the draft to share with your peer reviewers.

Step 1: Reflections on the First Draft

Open a file in your word processor and address the following:

What parts of the process involved in writing this paper, from collecting data to writing this draft, went best for you? Describe those parts of the process in some detail and offer reasons why they went well.

What parts of the process thus far have proved most challenging? Why did those parts cause problems?

Remind yourself of your purpose. In twenty-five words or less, summarize what point you are trying to make about your virtual community.

Remind yourself of your audience. Have you provided them enough information about your virtual community so they will understand what you are analyzing? Have you used language appropriate for the audience and purpose? Have you provided appropriate amounts and types of details to support your assertions?

What are the successful aspects of your draft thus far? Describe in some detail what works and why.

What are some of the areas needing improvement in the current draft? Describe in some detail what areas you want to improve and why you want to improve them.

If you were to share this draft with readers, what questions might you ask them? What kind of feedback would you like?

Articulate for yourself a revision strategy that includes what you feel the draft still needs and what you plan to do to make the essay more effective.

Step 2: Preparing Your Draft for Peer Reviews

Your reflection process will help you prepare your draft for the peer review process. Append to your current draft an assessment of what you think works in the draft and a list of questions you would like your reviewers to address as they review your draft.