Writing Circle Procedures

A writing circle brings writers from different walks of life together in one place to discuss their work in a workshop style setting. Writers will be able to give feedback and hear suggestions from fellow writers. It can build community in a classroom and help students gain public speaking abilities. This workshop method can be used for any genre of writing (prose, poetry, essay writing, research papers, etc.). This will be both a small group and whole class activity.

Workshops: Before the process outlined below begins, students will have been given direct instruction on how to improve one specific area of their writing through a series of multiple mini-lessons.

1. Students will either be told to use a “model text” from a selection in the textbook, a copy of a text, or something the teacher wrote.

2. The teacher or a designated student will usually read it out loud to the class as they follow along. Sometimes the students will read the text silently to themselves.

3. The teacher will give a writing prompt the students are supposed to respond to. The teacher may direct students with assignment directions and a rubric.

4. Students will respond to the prompt. Students may consider the model text that they read as an optional guide to “model” their own writing on. Typically, this writing will be done at home.

5. Students will return to class having completed the first draft. They will then be formed into groups.

6. In small groups, students will read each other’s pieces, peer editing along the way. With “soft eyes,” students will write down and discuss specificallywhat each student did well on and how he or she may improve it. Students will use the abbreviations and symbols from the Commentary Codes resource and write notes directly on each other’s pieces.

7. Students will take their pieces back for further revision, returning with either a second draft for more peer review or a final copy depending on the directions.

8. Students will share their pieces with the whole class by either showing the work on the projector screen or printing off copies for peers. Students not reading their works aloud should remain respectfully silent.

9. After students have shared, each student will write “thank you” notes for at least two peers. These should be praise only, specifically celebrating what the other student had done well in their writing.

10. Students turn in final copies to be read, assessed, and graded.