What
are author’s notes?
Author’s notes are notes from you (the
author) to me (your reader) telling me what I need to know in order to respond
effectively, wisely and well to your work. Remember that I do not grade your
papers, so there is no point in trying to conceal the problems with the paper.
I would really like to know what you think about your piece.
What should you include in your author’s note?
- The
history of the piece—how did you come up with the idea? What decisions did you make as you wrote
the piece? How did you decide how
to approach it? What did you change
as you wrote it? What were you trying to show the reader? How does this draft compare to earlier
versions? What problems have you encountered and what strategies did you
use to try to solve them? What
response did you get along the way and how did it affect you?
- Your
evaluation of the piece—What do you think of this paper? What do you
think is working well in this piece? What lines or parts of the paper do
you like? What is frustrating you?
What do you think really needs work? What problems have you been unable to
solve?
- The
response you would find most helpful. What would you like me to
comment on about the paper? What do
you want to know from your readers?
What advice or assessment do you need?
Some things you can do in your author’s notes:
1. Ask
Questions
Ø Ask
me-as-reader questions about the effects of the text.
Ø Ask
me questions about meeting particular requirements of the assignment.
Ø Ask
specific questions about specific passages.
·
Examples:
o I
wasn't sure about keeping the third paragraph on page two -- it seemed like
extra stuff I didn't need, but then I cut it after peer review and people
seemed confused, so I put it back in. Do
you think it's necessary?
o I’m
not sure my ending works. I don’t want
to tell too much, but do I leave the reader confused?
2. Discuss
the process of composition/research/revisions
·
Example:
o I
had written this completely differently, but then decided it was too
personal. I attach both versions. What do you think?
3. Explain
what you were trying to do:
·
Example:
Ø In
this paper, I want to show the reader how music affects people with
autism. I want to present my research
and persuade people that music exposure and instruction is really important for
autistic kids.
- Comment on strategies:
Ø What
strategies did you use on this writing assignment that worked well for you?
Consider strategies of inquiry, drafting, and product in your answer.
Ø Why do
you think they worked well? In other words, what did each strategy do for you
that improved your ability to write or your writing?
Ø Under
what conditions might you use these strategies again?
5. Explain
what resources you have used to complete the assignment.
·
Example:
Ø I
asked a friend to read it over for me and check my grammar.
What
aren’t author’s notes?
In your author’s note, you should NOT:
Apologize
for problems with the paper
Complain
about the assignment
Make
excuses for the paper
Defend your
paper against possible attack.
Write more
about what is in the paper
Explain
what the reader needs to know in order to understand the paper.
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