Feedback groups are for sharing and commenting on one another’s drafts. Members regularly meet to exchange several pages of writing. Every member is expected to read and provide feedback to that week’s writers.
Receiving timely and targeted feedback on “still-in-progress” writing can greatly accelerate a writer’s progress using both content comments from same-discipline peers and/or readability comments from cross-discipline peers.
This is the most challenging group to manage, because every member needs to come every meeting (if at all possible) to ensure equal amounts of feedback for each member. Members need to come even when its not their turn to receive feedback. Smaller groups of 2 to 4 tend to work well. The smaller number means it is easier to align schedules and that each writer will get more turns faster. Writers should exchange moderate amounts of writing. Agreeing on how to request and give feedback is key so everyone receives the same quality and quantity of feedback.
8 minutes: Individual updates, including updates on previous writing goals (2 min/person).
~35 minutes/person: Feedback each for Person A and Person B. (Person C and Person D would get feedback during the next meeting.)
5 minutes: Silent goal setting or another reflective writing activity.
8 minutes: State a writing goal to be met by the next session (2 min/person).
The members of the group read the work submitted, prepare constructive feedback for the writer, and answer the questions that the writer provided.
During the meeting, the readers typically follow the prompts of a clarification round; a positive comment round; a writer’s questions round; and a comments/questions/suggestions round.
During the meeting, the writer listens, takes notes, and answers questions from readers.
The last five minutes can be used to introduce the work that will be read for the next week. Each member typically receives feedback twice per semester on successive drafts.
This format is suggested by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab.
*The examples above are just that: examples. They are meant to give you an idea of what is possible as a source of inspiration rather than a one-size-fits-all formula. Adapt, mix, and match to suit the unique goals of your writing group.