"The Time Has Come," the Walrus Said/Protocol for Peer Posting

In this case, the time has come to read rough drafts that have been posted AND to comment on those drafts/posts. In order to do that, it may put everyone a little more at ease to outline a protocol. Comments that are vague and innocuous don't really help to create better writers any more than mean, hurtful remarks. Nothing is gained from either. I refer you to the syllabus that suggests everyone use common sense and courtesy in all class activities; to that I would add that your commentary should be constructive, honest and professional.

If you are the FIRST READER of a draft:
Focus on PURPOSE in the essay.
Determine what the purpose or reason of the essay is. Determine what is being described. Is the purpose of the essay established in the first paragraph? Is the purpose
maintained throughout the paper? Are there any sentences or elements that detract from the essay's purpose.
Please write the author at least 3-5 sentences, telling him or her that you see the purpose of the paper to describe _________. Add to that what you identify as elements that continue to support the purpose or explain why an element may not contribute to the purpose.

If you are the SECOND READER of a draft:
Focus on the AUDIENCE to whom the paper is directed:
Does the author seem to be writing with a "real world" audience in mind? Does the author write with an awareness that his/her audience is broader than just one reader? To that end, does the author provide his/her audience with adequate information and explanation? Does the author avoid making assumptions concerning his/her audience? Finally, does the author write with the audience in mind?
Please write the author 3-5 sentences as part of the wider audience for his writing. Give him/her appropriate and adequate feedback. Explain to him/her whether you, as his/her audience, felt he or she communicated with you well -- and WHY.

If you are the THIRD READER of a draft:
Focus on CLARITY in the paper.
Is the writing clear or confusing? Do you understand every sentence in each paragraph? Has the author clarified/defined vague terms? Did you have any trouble following any logic in the paper? You need not know exactly what the NAME of a problem is, in order to recognize that there needs to be revision and point it out.
Please write the author 3-5 sentences explaining whether his or her paper is clear and logical. While you cannot tell him/her that his/her paper is completely vague, you may indicate that a sentence or two may need revision (and, obviously, indicate which sentence(s)).

There should be no harm in reading all the posts you like. People write with a purpose to an audience. This is designed to make you all more aware of that, and to contribute to each other's work in a POSITIVE manner. Scarey? Yep. Absolutely. Important to your development as a writer? Yep. Absolutely. To use a cliche: The turtle only gets ahead by sticking his neck out. It's going to be fine. Really.