“There’s nothing left to say,” said a science major in my writing class. I had called on her during a classroom discussion of a peer-review activity. “Everyone’s already said everything.”
“You can at least provide a new example from your own paper, or express an idea in your own words,” I said.
The student looked skeptical.
“What about the revision process?” I prompted. “What’s your next step? Give it a try.”
An open-mouth pause. An “I can’t believe you are doing this to me” glare.
We could all hear the question mark she put in her voice, and we could all see the half-shrug, half stabbing-at-her-paper gesture.
But from my position in the front of the room, I could also see the smiles breaking out in the classroom, the eyes widening in surprise, and the heads nodding in thoughtful agreement.
“Make big circles, not small circles? That’s good,” I said. “You shouldn’t sell yourself short. You have plenty to say.”
Post was last modified on 13 Oct 2015 12:14 am
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I don't understand the circle reference
Thematically connect the beginning and ending of your essay, but don't repeat yourself within each paragraph or sentence.