Discusson Question:

Let's face it: We want to be journalists (or at least learn journalism), in part, because we think we're pretty good writers. We're proud of the way we write. People have always told us we're good. Yet now we're submitting our best stuff to a professional to review and critique and grade and ... yikes! That stings!

Oh, all that blood (read that "red ink") on my papers! And the worst part can be when I read something she's written on my paper and I could slap myself because I knew that was wrong!

Oh wait. That's you. I'm the evil "she."

But let me commiserate with you for a moment. Besides teaching journalism, I have worked my entire career as a writer and editor. I still submit articles to a number of magazines, newsletters and online publications. And while it doesn't happen so frequently anymore (thank goodness, right?), I still occasionally get a story back from an editor who wants me to rewrite it, or at least revise it.

And like you, I think, "It's perfect as it is! I worked for days on it. It doesn't need a single change! And perhaps more to the point: I don't want to work on that anymore! I thought I was finished!" What does he know, anyway??"

Also like you (am I right?), once I study what my editor wants me to change, I usually (reluctantly) have to concede he or she is right. Maybe I didn't quite adhere to that publication's style. Maybe I overlooked one of the points the editor told me she wanted me to cover. Maybe I was tired when I wrote it and wrote some bad sentences.

Knowing I'm wrong doesn't make me feel any better. And believe me, the more experienced you get at this, the more of a pain in the @#%& it is to have an editor tell you to do it over. You see, your ego will only grow as you get better and more confident about your abilities.

So while I'm truly, deeply sorry I'm making you feel bad--and I know that I am, and I do truly know how you feel because I've been there--I also know that every time I recommend a change, you're one step closer to never making that mistake again. And the fewer mistakes you make, the less time you'll spend rewriting and revising--for the rest of your career!

I also know that you wouldn't feel bad if you didn't have your ego invested in this work. So when you feel the sting, know it's because you're passionate about getting this right--and know I'm here to help you do it.

How are you feeling now that you've had some criticism from me and from your classmates? How are you managing the blow to your ego? Are you eventually able to see that the weaknesses your classmates and I are identifying for you are actually areas you could stand to improve? Do you have recommendations for how we could be better peer reviewers and editors?

In response to this topic, please share your thoughts, and also respond to at least two of your classmates.

Peer Review 1:
suppose I'm one of the lucky people in this world that accepts criticism pretty easily. As long as I don't feel I'm being personally attacked, constructive criticism is always welcome. I have used this to my advantage in many job interviews and I have always landed a job I interviewed for. I love to learn, and I can certainly roll with the punches without feeling too deflated. On the flipside, I can sometimes forget that other people don't take criticism as well as I do. That means my comments can sometimes come off as too harsh or negative. Sorry to all of you who might have received a comment of mine that was very to the point and didn't have any sugar to help the medicine go down. I am working on how I word things and trying to use the sandwich approach to help others rather than coming off as a "know-it-all" as I have been told I am wont to do.

Peer Review 2:
This course made me realize that I am getting better at writing. Before, I wasn't that much of a good writer but I feel like I have improved. I had and am still having struggling with active and passive voice. I love the criticism because it helps me understand what I am doing wrong. I try to change what I am doing wrong and better understand. Some recommendations for better peer reviewing would be maybe more examples instead of telling me what I am doing wrong.