Vermont Writes Day: Tuesday, Feb. 7 INFO

YWP is encouraging schools (and organizations and businesses) to stop what they're doing and write for 7 minutes on 2.7.11. Prompts and info, click here.

Commenting

Submitted by lmcisaac on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 11:13am

YWP encourages everyone -- student users, teachers, mentors and YWP editors -- to provide constructive feedback on all entries. Try to stay on topic (the writing) and be respectful -- and considerate -- of others reading this site. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind as you comment on others' writing:

  • BE CONSTRUCTIVE AND POSITIVE. This a very important aspect of this site. YWP professionals, YWP College Mentors and many students endeavor to provide authors with some constructive feedback on their pieces. So when you comment on a piece you should be letting the writer know:
    • One thing you liked about the piece; and
    • One thing the writer could do to improve the piece.

    Don't just say "it's nice." Work at it.

  • BE CIVIL AND RESPECTFUL. We have greatly appreciated how all of you have kept this site respectful and civil. But understand that sometimes, edgy or suggestive comments can be disturbing to some of our other users. Keep in mind what this site is about: Building a generation of better writers. As one of you once commented, "This isn't MySpace." No it's not.
  • AVOID CHATTING. This isn't a chat room area as much as a place to share writing, to give and receive feedback and to, yes, engage in community building and support. Please avoid chatting back and forth on unrelated matters in the commenting section of a story. Feel free to chat back and forth if it is an exchange with the author or with a commenter about the specific issues raised by the piece or the comments.
    Think of it this way: What kind of feedback would you like on your writing?
  • STAY ON TOPIC. Try to stay on topic (the writing) and be respectful -- and considerate -- of others reading this site. Sometimes the commenting strays way off topic and that is difficult for the writer who really wants to hear what people think of his or her writing, rather than watch a conversation go back and forth about something unrelated.
  • WRITING FORUMS. We have a collection of forums where you can discuss a wide variety of topics related to writing and reading. We also have forums about school or life or whatever. You can also get to the forums by clicking on the menus above: CONNECT>>Forums.