Critical Reading, Creative Responding

One of my favorite aspects of teaching is responding to student writing. Customizing a response to each writer with different modes of commentary is like crafting a solution only the writer can discover and act on. Commenting allows me to act as a reader-responder, a mirror that asks my students, “Is this what you are trying to say?” The resulting self-reflection and inquiry forces students back into their texts to revise and clarify their purpose. Some students need more praise and open-ended questions to further their writing. Other students may need a more directive response that addresses a particular pattern of error in their writing. Throughout this assessment process, I am trying to negotiate the amount of control I exert over each piece of writing. Careful, thoughtful response is always my aim. There is so much to consider when responding to student writing! If you feel bored, focus on an area of composition that you feel like reading. Maybe it is introductions, conclusions, transitions, searching for style, or praising paragraphs that sound confident and have a clear purpose. Be critical in your reading, but creative in your response to student writing. Have fun!

Check out more tips on how to make grading fun. :)