SW WORKSHOP FAQs
What do I turn in to the instructor? How often?
Every Friday you will email the essay you are working on (up to 1000 words) to the instructor.
Where do I give feedback on essays I have just read? On the website each week there will be a place to give and read your own peer feedback, usually in the comments section below the essay for that week.
Do I have to turn in one of the writing exercises?
No. The writing exercises are there for you in case you need a boost. Ideally, every week you are working on an essay and doing the writing exercises for practice. If one of the practice exercises turns into an essay that you work on, then fantastic! If not, then they are just practice, to keep you writing.
Am I working on one essay for the entirety of the course?
It’s up to you. If you start an essay in the class and you get really into it and work on writing and revising it for the length of the entire class, that’s awesome! Or, if you decide to just start a new essay every week so that when the class is over you have a bundle of stuff to work on, that’s awesome too! What you work on is up to you. You’ll be getting feedback from the instructor every week, so send her what you want feedback on.
What do I do if it’s my turn for the class to give me feedback?
Nothing different than what you would normally do. You email the instructor your essay by Friday, then she will email it to your classmates/group members and create a post on the website for people to respond to with their feedback. Over the weekend, classmates will post their feedback and all you have to do is read, consider, get inspired, and ask questions if you have any. Your instructor will return your essay to you with edits by Tuesday.
What do I do if it’s not my week to get feedback?
As always, you will email the instructor your essay by Friday. She will email to you your classmate’s essay that you are to provide feedback on by Sunday night. (See the “Essay Feedback and Guidelines” post on the class’ website for information on how to give feedback.)
What if I get busy or sick or something and just can’t participate in the class for a week?
Just email your instructor. If necessary, she’ll let the class know that you aren’t able to participate that week. You are still welcome to turn in your essay to her on Friday for edits.
So, if I get edits from the instructor regardless of my participation level, why should I participate?
Because you have to give what you expect to get. And because your instructor guarantees that you will most likely gain more from participating in class discussions and writing exercises on your own than you will from her edits. It’s all part of the process.
Something is making me have a strong reaction or I have wonderful news or I just need to share something with someone. What do I do? Email/call/text the instructor if you want to! She is here for you.
Mary’s contact info:
maryamcbeth@gmail.com
(919) 670-6994