The document provides guidelines for providing effective and helpful comments on a wiki. It recommends including both positive and constructive feedback in comments using a "compliment sandwich" approach. Commenters should be specific in pointing out what needs improvement and praise by detailing the aspects of a post they liked. Examples are given of both good and bad commenting styles. The overall goal of commenting is to provide different perspectives and critiques to help improve others' writing.

1. Making Effective and Helpful
Comments on the Wiki
Because we’re all about helping each other out!

2. The Compliment Sandwich
Always try and include one
positive in your comment.
*For example, “I really like the
way you gave specific
passages from the book to
support your claim, but I’d like
to hear more explanation!”

3. Be specific
Point your partner to exactly the spot
that needs fixing.
*Instead of “Reword this, it’s confusing”
TRY: “Your first paragraph would be
more clear if it was in a different order.
You should talk about the book’s awards
before its important themes.”

4. Detail isn’t only needed with the negative!
It’s helpful to know which parts of
your paragraphs are awesome,
not just which parts need fixing.
*Instead of “GREAT JOB!” try “I
love the way you described how
middle schoolers could be
affected by graphic language.
Great argument!

5. Examples
 Bad comment: It flows.
 Good comment: I like your use of transitions-they really helped
me be able to follow along in your paragraph!
 Bad comment: Good.
 Good comment: Great job! I especially loved the quotes you
chose from the text. They really showed how graphic the
scenes in your book were. You may want to look back over your
paragraph for spelling errors, though.

6. Reminders
 The reason we comment on each other’s work is to provide a
new set of eyes with a new perspective, give helpful critiques
and praise, and to have an opportunity to share and see more
writing outside our own.
 Don’t short change your partner by not putting effort into your
responses, and if you think your partner could be doing more to
help you, let them know what you would like more feedback
on!