Feedback Focus

Revising, from Prowl Public Relations

Reading Out Loud 

Doing this felt awkward, I can't imagine what my roommates thought I was up to, but it really did force me slow down and acknowledge each word in the story. When I'm reading something in my head, I fill in the gaps left by missing words, and interpret bad grammar without giving it a second thought. By saying every word, I force myself to pay attention when things are missing or not as they should be. 

Copy and Delete 

I wasn't a huge fan of this technique for casual reading, it felt too slow to me. However, if I were editing a longer piece of writing or something technical like a lab report, I see it's value. Somehow splitting the story into small chunks and making a not about each, at the very least about what content was covered, makes it easier for me to see the big picture. I can just go back a quickly read my notes instead of trying to skim the whole story again. I could also leave myself notes about things like plot points, and if they are resolved later on. This is a powerful technique even if it takes me a while. 

Use a Timer 

I like this technique, though I do not think it is as powerful as the others listed here. If I only use this, and not in conjunction with something like Reading Out Loud, I still end up speed reading the story my first time through. Then I realize that I went too fast, and go back to read the story again. Then because I am seeing the story again I get bored and don't pay as much attention. Used alone, this technique will not work for me. I also don't see much of a point in using it with either of the other two, because they are already forcing me to slow down when reading, making the timer redundant. 

Thanks for reading.