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. Students should read each paper with the following
questions in mind:

(You may not have enough time to address all of these questions.)

 What is the “so what” factor to the experience or experiences that will
be in the essay? Does it seem deep enough to do credit to the
experience?

 What are some of the core themes the writer should develop?

 What are the greatest points of interest in the narrative? When you
read your peer’s summary, what most intrigues you? What do you look
forward to reading more about in the finished product?

 Where, in the essay, are there opportunities for honest self-

exploration?

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.