Workshop Guide Complete Draft Op-Ed Tuesday 3/13

Remember: this is a complete draft workshop. Discuss mid draft details. Assess how far along the draft is and give suggestions for revision based on where the draft is at.As always, save grammar and structure for last unless the problems are huge, i.e. preventing you from discerning meaning. 

Author, remain silent and take notes while your partners discuss your essay. Once they're finished, ask questions. Otherwise hold your tongue. If you feel like they aren't understanding or are missing the point of your essay, write down your questions but ask yourself: did I really convey that in the writing, or did I simply think I did?

For each draft do the following: 

1. Allow the author to ask questions. Someone in the group write down the questions. You'll explore them together in a moment.
2. Summarize the draft as it stands. Paraphrase the argument by stating the major claim, the subclaims and any support given. If this is unclear, the author needs to work to find a thread or purpose. Try and help them articulate what interests them about the topic. What could the underlying purpose be? If they're having a hard time explaining why they're interested, suggest they look for a new topic and help them get to a new focusing question. 
3. Point out places where the argument wanes or is unclear or even contains fallacies. Is it way off track for the assignment? Then focus on getting it back on. Are there clear claims with strong and appropriate evidence? If not suggest some new claims and places to seek out evidence. Consult the CW to watch for fallacies.

• Is the author writing for their own discovery, or simply because they were assigned to write an essay? 

Suggest possible new directions to take in their argument. Does the argument need more research or more emotional appeal? 

Who is the audience for this argument based on the evidence given? 

Is this essay too big? Trying to do too much? Would it take a book to really address this issue?

• Do you lose interest at any point? Should the author scrap sections of the essay and go in a new direction? If so, be clear about what should remain.

      4. Play devil's advocate. Pretend you disagree with the Op-Ed and try and argue against it. Author, this an     opportunity to try and address your opposition in your essay. Be sure to pay attention to how someone in opposition might approach your argument and see if you can head them off in later drafts of your essay.

      5. What did you enjoy? Describe what's working and address any questions the author may have brought up.