My previous experiences with workshopping consisted of exactly what Straub suggested not to do.

I dont think Ive ever had a peer actually help me with my paper in a thorough manner, nor do I think Ive ever received any feedback other than what I could do to correct misspellings and places where I didnt put a comma. The difference between editing and revision is often confused, and I never really knew what the actual difference was until I thought about it. Prior to now, I had assumed that revision was just a second editing of a piece, however, its not. Editing is basically when you fix the little things, such as misspellings and grammar. Its when you correct all the things that dont ultimately determine how the paper flows as a whole. Revision is where you move sentences around, take certain parts out, add parts, and mainly focus on the actual content of the paper. You edit before you revise. I dont always believe that its necessary to do both. I think it definitely depends on the paper, the person, and how skillful they are when it comes to writing. After reading Straubs article, I think Ive grasped the true meaning of peer workshopping, and I dont have any concerns. Straub suggests that its important to talk to the writer as a friend, not a critic. Consider yourself a friendly reader. A test pilot. A roommate whos been asked to look over the paper and tell the writer what you think (Straub). I see myself applying this suggestion by pretending that Im helping out a friend with something theyve written and being honest about what I think. Straub also suggests that its essential to actually give a decent amount of feedback. Dont be stingy. Write most of your comments out in full statements. Instead of writing two or three words, write seven or eight (Straub). I plan on implementing this suggestion during our workshop in class by actually writing out exactly what I mean, rather than writing two or three words, or simply fixing misspellings. Straub, Richard. "Responding-Really Responding-to Other Students Writing." N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Rpt. in The Subject Is Writing. By Wendy Bishop. 2nd ed. Portsmouth: Boynton/Cook, 1999. 136-46. Print.