Welcome to the World of Peer Critique and Publishing!
Have you ever finished writing a story and felt like it was missing something, but you weren't sure what? Or maybe you felt so proud of your work that you wanted the whole world to see it? This is where peer critique and publishing come in! These are the final, exciting steps in the writing process where we help each other get better and share our finished work with others.
Section 1: What is Peer Critique?
Critique might sound like a big, scary word, but it really just means "looking closely at something to see how it can be improved." In the PYP, a peer is someone in your class, like a friend or a teammate.
Peer critique is when you read a classmate's writing and they read yours. You talk about what you liked and offer helpful ideas to make the writing even stronger. Think of it like being a "taste-tester" for a chef—you help them figure out if the soup needs a little more salt before it's served to the customers!
Why do we do it?
Sometimes, we are so close to our own writing that we can't see the mistakes or the confusing parts. A friend can see things with "fresh eyes."
• It helps us see if our message is clear.
• It gives us new ideas we might not have thought of.
• It helps us practice being sensitive and constructive listeners.
Key Takeaway: Peer critique is about helping friends grow as writers by sharing honest and kind feedback.
Section 2: How to Give Great Feedback
Giving feedback is a skill. The syllabus tells us we should respond sensitively and constructively. This means we want to be helpful, not hurtful.
The Feedback "Sandwich"
A great way to give critique is to use a sandwich:
1. The Bread (Top): Start with something you really liked (a "Glow").
2. The Filling (Middle): Suggest one thing they could change or fix (a "Grow").
3. The Bread (Bottom): End with another positive thought or an encouraging word.
Rules for Helpful Critique:
• Be Specific: Instead of saying "It was good," try "I loved the adjectives you used to describe the dragon!"
• Focus on the Writing: Don't talk about the person; talk about the words on the page.
• Ask Questions: If you are confused, ask: "Can you tell me more about what happened in the middle?" This helps the writer think about their organization.
Quick Tip: Don't worry if you find it hard to give suggestions at first. Just look for one thing that made you go "Wow!" and one thing that made you go "Huh?"
Section 3: Receiving Feedback with an Open Mind
It can feel a little nervous to have someone read your work. That’s okay! Remember: the goal is to make your writing the best it can be.
When someone gives you critique:
• Listen carefully without interrupting.
• Say "Thank you" for their help.
• Reflect: Ask yourself, "Is this what I meant to say?" (This is called self-questioning).
• Choose: You are the author! You get to decide which pieces of feedback will help your story the most.
Did you know? Even famous authors have "editors" who give them critique. No one ever writes a perfect first draft all by themselves!
Section 4: The Final Step — Publishing
Publishing is the very last part of the "Writing: craft and process" section. It means preparing your work so an audience can read it. When you publish, you are telling the world that your work is ready!
Ways to Publish
You can publish your work in many different ways depending on your goal:
• Handwritten: Writing your final version in your best, most legible handwriting on special paper.
• Digital: Typing your work on a computer, choosing fonts, and maybe even adding ICT iconography (like symbols or digital images).
• Visual: Creating a poster, a book with a cover and a contents page, or even a digital blog post.
Checklist Before You Publish:
Before you hit "print" or hand in your final copy, check these things:
• Legibility: Is the writing clear enough for others to read?
• Layout: Does it look organized on the page?
• Purpose: Does the final look match the goal? (For example, a scary story might look different than a formal letter).
• Cross-reference: Have you used the feedback from your peers to do your final editing and revising? (Check the "Drafting, editing and revising" chapter for more on this!).
Key Takeaway: Publishing is a celebration of your hard work. It turns your "draft" into a finished "product."
Quick Review
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
• Being too mean: Remember to be sensitive.
• Being too vague: "I like it" doesn't help a writer improve. Explain why!
• Skipping the critique: Even if you think you're done, a peer can almost always help you find one small way to make your writing better.
Summary Table
Step: Peer Critique
What to do: Share work, give "Glows" and "Grows."
Why: To get fresh ideas and fix confusing parts.
Step: Publishing
What to do: Create a final, clean copy (handwritten or digital).
Why: To share your message with an audience.
Great job! Now you are ready to help your friends and show the world your amazing writing!