The Importance of Peer-Editing

The final, submitted draft of any writing activity is, of course, important. However, in the context of studying Japanese, the process of writing holds as much significance as the final draft itself. In Japanese class, we often make use of peer-editing, one part of the writing process. There are three main reasons why.

1) The writer’s intentions vs. the reader’s interpretation

The peer-editing process gives us insight into the differences between our intentions when we compose a section of text and the ways in which various readers will interpret this text. As all readers approach a text from different backgrounds, their ways of reading the text will differ. This is an important realization for all writers.

2) New Ideas

New ideas and realizations are often first come upon during the discussion inherent in the peer-revision process.

3) Helping one another

Reading classmates’ texts often leads to realizing and understanding the problems with one’s own texts. Also, the revision process gives writers the opportunity to obtain help in their weaker areas (for example: grammar, organization of your essay, information on the topic, etc) while helping their classmates using their own personal strengths.

We are lucky to have such a great class, so take advantage of each others strength and get better together before the opportunity passes!

にほんのうち

げんかんです。くつやスリッパがたくさんありますね。

たたみのへやです。にほんのふとんとアメリカのふとんはちがいますね。あさふとんはおしいれに、、、べんりですね。にほんでおふろとトイレはべつべつです。にほんのトイレです。

Source:

go.weblogs.jp/photos/work11/a08.html
http://www.meiboku-ichiba.jp/meiboku/images/washitsu.jpg
http://img01.hamazo.tv/usr/okaachan0124/%E7%BE%BD%E6%AF%9B.JPG
http://www.aoisetsubi.com/img/AA00242.JPG
http://blog-imgs-12.fc2.com/m/i/k/mikan101/20071029103429.jpg

11がつ１９にちのアクティビティ

きょうのアクティビティです。There are 4 activities. If you do not finish within class time please finish at home. Use your time effectively!

1. Watch the podcast movies of other groups and comment. (30 minutes)

This is individual work.

• Go to the podcast folder under the shared “Courseworks” folder.
  
• Watch the podcast movies (or script).
  
• Keeping the goals, audience, and evaluation categories in your mind, comment in English (Include at least one sentence in Japanese).

Goals:
• You will have the chance to actively express your opinions to a real Japanese audience by using Japanese language and other modalities (tone of your voice, body language, pictures, color, font etc.)
• You will have the chance to consider first-hand how big media operates and presents information

Audience:
• The worldwide audience of Japanese-speakers interested in New York, Columbia University, or life at an American university - and also your classmates, of course

Evaluation Categories
1. Language:
Grammar, Vocabulary, Accurate, Correctness
2. Content:
Creative, Original, Interesting, Entertaining, Fun, Funny, Enjoyable, Humor, Informative, Effective Use of Music/Sound/graphics, Quality over Quantity.
3. Presentation:
Adequate speed, Coherent, Clear (topic and direction), Natural.
4. Consideration:
Appropriate/relevant to the audience, Adequate length (Not too long unless it's REALLY interesting), Engaging, Good Transition, Proper editing, Coherence.
5. Goal/Purpose/Idea
6. Effort
7. Openness to Others' Comments



2. Think about your communication with others in blogging (15min)

Make a group of 2-3. Discuss below questions with your group members. Write your answers by commenting on this post. (Don’t forget to write your names!)

• Look at your past communication exchanges and examine how much you could continue communicating with the people whose blogs you made comments and from whom you received comments.

1. If your communication did not last long, why didn’t that communication last? How can you make it longer?
2. If your communication has lasted, why do you think it lasted? Are there different ways to keep the communication going?

3. Check the comments made on your own blog, as well as if others have/have not responded to comments that you made on their blogs. (10 minutes)

This is individual work.

• Keeping your answers of 2 in mind, check the comments that others have made on your blog, as well as check if others have responded to comments that you have made on their blogs.
• If you think it is necessary, respond to any questions or comments.
• Record where you have commented on your comment sheet so you know where you have commented.

4. Write in your own blog. (10 minutes)

• Write in your blog in Japanese.
• The topic can be anything. If you don’t have any ideas write about what you did during the long weekend (Nov. 1-4) and how it was. Use counters if you can.

More counter suffixes!

レッスン１１で数助詞（すうじょし：counter suffix）をべんきょうしていますね。数助詞はたくさんあります。ウィキペディアにありますから、見（み）てください！

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_counter_word

11がつ6かのアクティビティ

きょうのアクティビティです。If you do not finish within class time please finish at home. Use your time effectively!

1. Read the plans of other groups’ podcast projects and please comment. (25 minutes)

Form groups of 2-3 people.

• In the Courseworks shared folder there is a podcast file. Within this podcast file there is a folder for each group. Open the folders of other groups and download their podcast proposals.
• Read the project proposals as a group.
• Re-read the evaluation categories for the podcast project and make sure you are aware of the evaluation criteria.
• Thinking of the evaluation criteria, try to be as critical as possible in commenting on other groups’ project plans. Include concrete ideas and suggestions on improvements that they can make. (Do not forget to write your names.)
  
• Upload your typed comments into the groups’ folder.
  

2. Check the comments made on your own blog, as well as if others have/have not responded to comments that you made on their blogs. (10 minutes)

• Check the comments that others have made on your blog, as well as check if others have responded to comments that you have made on their blogs.
• If you think it is necessary, respond to any questions or comments.
• Record where you have commented on your comment sheet so you know where you have commented.
  

3. Comment on blogs of other sections, or blogs of other university students (at least 3). (15 minutes)

• To go to the blogs of students in other countries or other universities, click on the “Let’s make friends” project link on the right-hand side of the page. On this page, you can click on outside university school links under “にほんごいちねんんせい”.
• Read the blogs, and if you want to be friends, please comment. Try hard to keep up the communication.
• Note on your comment sheet where you commented. Submit the comment sheet at the end of the class.
  

4. Write in your own blog. (15 minutes)

• Write in your blog in Japanese.
• The topic can be anything, if you don’t have any ideas write about where you are from, or write about your favorite place and what things make it your favorite.