As the Writer, this is you--a SPONGE. ¯(see below)¯

You are here to soak up all the information and feedback you can, writing it all down as fast as people say it to you.

Do NOT answer questions, defend yourself, your piece or your intentions.

Read only a portion, not an entire piece.

Listen and take down the advice you receive from your peers. (I will help you become a better sponge all term, but you need to practice these listening skills as well.)

We simply don't have enough time to discuss each piece in a truly interactive way; therefore, you must listen and record and learn.

After reviewing the audience feedback you've carefully written down, you can use it to help your writing see where it can go.

You may ask the group a question or direct our written feedback in a certain direction, but stick to the rules above in doing so. J

As a member of the Audience, you must provide feedback.

Silence is NOT golden here. NOTHING is worse than reading something aloud and having NO ONE say anything about it. The writer will feel confused or hurt or worse.

You must give specific reactions/feedback in order to help the writer and to help your own grade.

NEVER make comments as the writer, “If I were writing this, I would….”

Be HONEST and GENTLE in your critique, emphasizing the POSITIVE at all times. Let me be the bad guy and tell someone if something needs a lot of work.

DO NOT comment on GRAMMAR, SPELLING, MECHANICS, or anything like that. Talk about CONTENT ONLY.

If you were tempted to say something but didn't get a chance or felt afraid to say it out loud, be SURE to write it down for the writer and return it to him/her the next week.

Remember that this may be a nerve-wracking experience, but it is an irreplaceable one that both the writer and the listener should take very seriously yet still have some fun.