Format
Overview
Each student will be randomly assigned to one of two groups for the semester (A or B). For weeks labeled A in the course schedule, each student in group A will be “Author,” and each student in Group B will be “Editor.” For weeks labeled B, each student in group B will be “Author,” and each student in Group A will be “Editor.” For the one week labeled “A, B,” everyone will function as both Author and Editor.
Before class meets, each Author will submit a first draft of their assignment to an Editor, the Editor will respond with comments, the Author will revise their work in response, and then upload the second draft (a.k.a. the "workshop draft") for the entire class to view.
All of us will read all of the workshop drafts before class, and prepare to give all of the Authors comments.
We will spend the bulk of class time discussing the writing submitted together. In some classes we will also discuss a short reading and/or do a writing exercise.
In one class we will have a (virtual or in-person) visit from a guest writer of public philosophy.
Weekly Rhythm
Tuesday
Receive new assignment instructions and Author/Editor pairs.
Wednesday-Sunday
Authors: email first draft to Editor
Editors: Email comments on first draft to Author, cc-ing professor
Authors: Write second draft
Monday
Authors: Upload second draft to Google Drive by 12 noon.
Everyone: Read all second drafts and be ready to discuss them
Tuesday
Everyone: In-class workshop of second drafts
Wednesday-Monday
Authors: Write final draft
Tuesday
Authors: Upload final draft to Google Drive.
Mechanics
Authors
All drafts should be completed in Google Docs
All pieces should have a title. Use 12-point font, double spacing, and standard margins. Paginate your submission and list the word count.
Upload the second draft to the “Workshop Drafts” folder in the course’s Google Drive. Name the file in this format: AuthorLastName_AssignmentName_WorkshopDraft
Upload the final draft to the “Final Drafts” folder in the course’s Google Drive. Name the file in this format: AuthorLastName_AssignmentName_FinalDraft
IMPORTANT: For each assignment, please save separate copies of: 1) your first draft with your editors’ comments attached, 2) your second (workshop) draft, and 3) your final draft. You will submit all of these for your final portfolio review.
Editors
Editors should use the commenting and track changes feature to make suggestions (including on the title, if they wish) and write one or two paragraphs at the end of each piece, assessing the draft’s strengths and weaknesses and offering suggestions for improvement.
When preparing your comments, consider the following questions: What seems to you to be the piece’s main idea or primary point? Has the author succeeded in what they set out to do? If not, how specifically did the author leave you unsatisfied? Are there ideas that confused you? Are there ideas you think the writer ought to elaborate on? Where did the author seem most on track (i.e., what are the strongest elements of the piece)? In revision, what two or three things should the author focus on most?
Save edited files in this format: AuthorLastName_AssignmentName_WorkshopDraft_EditorLast Name, before emailing them to the author and professor.