Essay 1: Option 1z: Describe and evaluate workshops / draft exchanges.

Kim Davis

 . . . Since I had presented my poetry selection to the class, I was not allowed to present my fiction piece. Instead, I did a series of draft exchanges. In order to make sure I had enough revisions to complete the revision process, I requested a peer review from several of my classmates. While I did get a number of excellent revision suggestions, I did not feel that my fiction piece was the best it could have been, either. I now wish I would have draft exchanged my poetry piece and presented my fiction piece. I feel that way for two reasons. First, by doing my presentation so early in the semester, I did not have the benefit of putting the theories and practices that I learned throughout the semester to apply to my poetry work. The piece was written pre-class, so I did not have the ability to revise before I presented. Second, I felt that my fiction piece was much stronger than my poetry piece and I would have preferred in-class discussion on it. I plan to continue writing fiction and I would have liked the benefits of the round-table discussion that included instant gratification--the conversation that can take place between the author and the class. If I had a question about the suggestion, I could ask it then and there. In draft-exchange, since I was doing mine via e-mail, it could take a while for e-mailed questions to be answered. In a perfect world, I would have been able to present both my poetry and fiction piece, though I realize that there are constraints due to the limited time and the class size. I feel I might have learned more about my writing if I had presented my fiction piece instead of my poetry piece. I also feel that as my familiarity with the workshop grew, my ability to be a better presenter did as well. I believe the final presenter was the most prepared and in the best position to get feedback. . . .