(answer this in grade 10 level and simple words) For this activity, you will be critiquing your own work as well as the work of others. Your goal will be to follow the advice given in the unit and then reflect on the entire critiquing process.

Question

When answering the questions on the critique sheet, answer them to the best of your ability. Since the given passage is merely an excerpt, things like conflict or theme may not be discernable. Simply state this in your answer as not being evident or not able to be evaluated. Your grade will be based on the included rubric.

Part 1
Choose a piece of fiction or non-fiction text that you have written in the past, either recent or distant past are acceptable. The piece does not have to be complete; it can be a work in progress. In fact, it would be better if the piece you choose has not been edited or critiqued yet (though this is not a requirement).

Read through your piece of writing and make notes as you see fit. Fill out the included sheet, addressing all the questions, making comments and suggestions. If possible, copy and paste your writing into this assignment or take a photo, if you have a hard copy, and attach it.

Part 2
Now, you will be critiquing someone else’s work. You may choose to find an excerpt of text online or choose one of the included text excerpt choices.

You may choose to find your own piece online, or ask a peer if you can critique something that they have written. If you find your own piece online or use a peer’s, you must copy and paste it into this assignment to include with your critique. Ensure that the content is appropriate for school. Fill out the included critique sheet, addressing all the questions, making comments, and suggestions.

Part 3
Did you find it easier to critique your own writing or another person’s writing? Which did you enjoy doing more? Why? Please write at least one paragraph reflecting, explaining, and elaborating on this critiquing process.
Self-Critique Notes
Does your conflict have a purpose? Do the characters add to this conflict in a meaningful way?
Examine your focus. Is the topic too big or too narrow? Are you on track throughout the entire writing?
Look at the organization of your piece. Is it organized for clarity and flow? Is there room for improvement?
Are your characters believable in this text? Why or why not?
Review elements like characterization, symbolism, overall theme, and dialogue. How well did you address these elements? Is there room for improvement?
Do you still agree with what you have said in this text? Has your perspective changed at all?
Examine your conclusion. Does your conclusion have resonance, or a reverberation of your message? How so?
Any other thoughts or comments?

Critique of Another Writer’s Work
Does the text’s conflict have a purpose? Do the characters add to this conflict in a meaningful way?
Examine the text’s focus. Is the topic too big or too narrow? Is the text on track throughout the entire writing?
Look at the organization of the piece. Is it organized for clarity and flow? Is there room for improvement?
Are the characters believable in this text? Why or why not?
Review elements like characterization, symbolism, overall theme, and dialogue. How well did the writer address these elements? Is there room for improvement?
Do you believe that the author agrees with what they have said in this text consistently throughout? Does their perspective change at all?
Examine the conclusion. Does the conclusion have resonance, or a reverberation of the message? How so?
What are some aspects of this piece that really worked well? Any other thoughts or comments?

Answer 1

Part 1: Self-Critique Notes

1. Conflict Purpose: My conflict does have a purpose because it drives the story forward. The main character struggles with his fear of failure while trying to win a big game. The characters involved, especially his coach and teammates, add depth to this conflict by showing different attitudes toward success and teamwork.

2. Focus: I think the topic is just right. It’s not too big or too narrow. I stay on track by focusing on the main character’s journey and his internal struggles throughout the writing.

3. Organization: The organization could be better. Some parts flow nicely, while others feel a bit jumbled. I need to work on transitions to make the story smoother and easier to follow.

4. Believability of Characters: The characters seem believable. They have clear motivations and personalities. For example, the coach is tough but caring, and his support makes the main character more relatable.

5. Elements Review: I believe I’ve addressed characterization and dialogue well. However, the theme of perseverance could be clearer. I should find ways to highlight this theme more strongly throughout the text.

6. Agreeing with the Text: I still agree with most of what I wrote. The ideas about facing fears and teamwork are important to me, and I believe they are relevant to the story.

7. Conclusion: My conclusion does have resonance. It wraps up the character’s journey and leaves the reader with a feeling of hope and motivation, which I aimed for.

8. Other Thoughts: Overall, I’m proud of this piece, but I see areas where it could improve, especially in organization and theme clarity.

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Part 2: Critique of Another Writer’s Work

Excerpt from another writer’s work: (Insert text here)

1. Conflict Purpose: The text's conflict has a clear purpose, as the main character faces a moral dilemma that creates tension. The supporting characters contribute to this conflict, showing differing opinions that add depth.

2. Focus: The topic seems a little broad. While it covers several issues, it sometimes loses focus, making it hard to understand the main point. I suggest narrowing down the central theme.

3. Organization: The piece is generally organized, but some sections jump around a bit. Improving the sequence of ideas would help readers follow along better.

4. Believability of Characters: The characters are mostly believable. Their reactions and feelings seem realistic, although a few minor characters could be developed more to add to the story.

5. Element Review: Elements like characterization and dialogue are well done. The dialogue feels natural, but the overall theme could be better defined, as it gets lost in the complexity of the plot.

6. Author's Perspective: It seems the author has a strong opinion on the issues discussed, but there are moments where their viewpoint shifts slightly, which can be confusing for readers.

7. Conclusion: The conclusion resonates well, summarizing the themes and leaving the reader with food for thought. However, it could be more impactful if it tied back to the main conflict more clearly.

8. What Worked Well: The emotional depth of the characters and the real-life issues explored were highlighted, making the story engaging. I enjoyed the writing style, which was descriptive and vivid.

9. Other Comments: Overall, this piece has great potential. It just needs some refining in focus and organization to make it even stronger.

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Part 3: Reflection on the Critiquing Process

I found it a bit easier to critique someone else’s work rather than my own. When I critiqued my writing, I felt more attached and sometimes struggled to see its flaws. With the other writer’s piece, I could see things more clearly and objectively. I enjoyed critiquing the other work more because it allowed me to focus on what made it effective and what could be improved. This process helped me understand different writing styles and techniques, which I can apply to my own work. Overall, critiquing both pieces was valuable, as it not only highlighted areas for improvement but also reinforced the strengths in each piece.