Author’s Note Prompt An Author’s Note (AN) is a central component to your writing and revision process in this class. ANs are a revision tool and are designed to help you think about your writing and what you want to accomplish through writing. In addition, author’s notes are like a “metatext,” a kind of writing about writing that will help you to articulate how you need or want to change your draft to get it where you want it to be; it is also an opportunity to ask for specific advice from your readers to help you accomplish your goals. ANs are the primary way to focus your workshop group, and me, to give you useful and helpful advice on the project you are currently trying to accomplish. In order to get useful and helpful advice, it is important for you to be specific in your AN, including, if this is not a first draft, specifics about what you changed and why, whose advice you took, what the advice was and why you felt that was the best approach for revision. General comments and descriptions, in my experience, don’t turn out to be as productive for the readers or the writer in the process of revision. Be specific about the questions you have about the draft, and the feedback you are hoping to receive. Comments like, “what did you think,” or “how can I make this paper better” do not yield successful results. Author’s notes are written in paragraph format and should be a minimum of 200 words. Requirements An Author’s Note gives responders the crucial context they need to respond usefully. It should include the following information. 1. A statement of where the text is in the process of development (first draft, fourth draft, based on an idea I got last night, an attempt to fix the second half by switching it to dialogue, etc.). 2. Your own assessment of the piece (I like this about it because… I am worried about this because…I feel that I do a good job with…. I am not sure if I do…. .well). 3. If it’s beyond first draft, what feedback you have received, what you’ve changed, why, and how you feel about that. 4. The responses you are looking for from your group and/or any specific questions you want answered. (“I’m worried about how I describe X here, so I want you to tell me how you imagine X from what I give you.” “I am not sure if my paragraphs are focused enough. Please tell me if I stay focused in each paragraph” “Do I introduce and explain my quotes?” “Is my thesis focused?” and so forth). A new AN should be included with each writing project EVERY time you submit a new draft (unless instructed to omit the author’s note). In the beginning, while still practicing their use, ANs will feel awkward. However, as you learn more about writing them, the quality and the lengths will (and should) increase. It is crucial that you do not forget about including your author’s note with each draft. Essay that are missing an author’s note, in any part of the drafting process, will suffer with the final essay grade.
