tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790062.post186726125223781582..comments2024-03-27T08:11:29.257-06:00Comments on PeerCentered: Giving CorrectionClint Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07671508034667904543noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790062.post-36185362692949689102013-10-14T09:36:56.668-06:002013-10-14T09:36:56.668-06:00"...we may tread *too carefully...""...we may tread *too carefully..."Clint Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13534333959460032669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790062.post-61547755650203340902013-10-14T09:34:22.561-06:002013-10-14T09:34:22.561-06:00Thanks for sharing your story, Alex. I think it g...Thanks for sharing your story, Alex. I think it gives us real insight into a "teachable moment." Your dad was being direct and straightforward in his critique of your drawing, and you did, indeed, learn from that. Your initial reaction, however, shows how most of us react to such direct criticism of our work: emotional upset (what one might call anger.) I'm always an advocate clear response and telling writers one's true thoughts on a piece of writing, but some writers either have a difficult time accepting criticism (and therefore would respond angrily to being "told what to do" by a tutor, or might have very little self-esteem when it comes to writing and joyfully accept lock-stock-and-barrel everything a tutor might say, even if the tutor is just offering possibilities to the writer. <br /><br />Whether we "tell the writer what to do" or just give suggestions or options is at the heart of the non-directive/directive debate, and we may tread to carefully around the issue. I think, however, a clearly explained response (such as "can you explain to me how your writing fits your assignment" or even a much more direct "I don't understand how this fits, can you explain to me how?" does seem to involve the writer more than just "do this over" without explanation. Your Dad did a fine job of showing you why the drawing was off center and you probably were better off by starting over. <br /><br />I think one thing that you can take away from this experience is that you needed to draw the first failed attempt in order to draw a subsequent successful drawing. I think many writers miss out on that when they have to revise. Failed drafts are just as much a part of the writing as a successful direction.<br /><br />Here is an article that you might find interesting about a process of discovery and rewriting: http://philosophy.lander.edu/intro/introbook2.1/x426.html.Clint Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13534333959460032669noreply@blogger.com