Activity 1.5.1: Peer Review — Trading Post Description Discussion
Learning Targets
I can give and receive constructive feedback on creative writing.
Your Task
Giving and receiving feedback is one of the most powerful tools for improving your writing. In this activity, you'll read a classmate's trading post description and provide structured, constructive feedback using the TAG protocol.
The TAG Protocol
T = Tell something you liked (be specific — name a detail, a word choice, a technique)
A = Ask a question (something you want to know more about, or something that confused you)
G = Give a suggestion (one specific, actionable improvement they could make)
Directions
- Your teacher will assign you a partner's trading post description to review.
- Read the entire description once without marking anything. Just experience the world.
- Read it a second time, this time looking for specific craft techniques (sensory detail, mood, word choice, cultural world-building, character integration).
- Write your TAG feedback (minimum 6–8 sentences total):
- TELL: Identify at least 2 specific things that work well. Name exact words, phrases, or techniques. Example: "The detail about the candle smoke curling around the ceiling beams was effective because it created a cozy, closed-in atmosphere."
- ASK: Write at least 1 genuine question about the world, character, or setting that you want to know more about.
- GIVE: Offer at least 1 specific, actionable suggestion tied to a technique from Lesson 1.4 (sensory detail, 3-2-1 rule, mood, word choice). Frame it constructively.
- Post your feedback where your teacher directs (discussion board, shared doc, etc.).
- When you receive feedback on YOUR work, write a brief response: What will you use in your revision? What will you set aside and why?
Peer feedback works best when everyone feels safe to share honest observations. Some ground rules: We critique the writing, not the writer. We assume every writer made intentional choices. We frame suggestions in terms of "What if..." or "Have you considered..." rather than "You should..." Being a thoughtful reviewer makes you a better writer too — you learn to see craft choices in your own work.
Sentence Frames for Support
Use these if you need help getting started:
AI Guidance
Do not use AI to write your peer feedback. Constructive feedback is a skill you're building — having AI do it defeats the purpose. Your feedback should reflect YOUR reading experience and YOUR observations as a writer.
What's Next
After you complete peer review and receive feedback on your work, you'll revise your trading post description. You'll have the opportunity to apply the feedback, refine your sensory details, strengthen your character integration, and deepen your cultural world-building. The goal is not perfection — it's growth.