Teachers are able to connect with other teachers to share failures and successes. Students are able to write to other students, making their writing mean more to them than a grade. Some teachers have students write in journals, but even then, if the teacher reads them, or even looks at them, then the writing is ultimately directed at the teacher. Having students write for other students offers a new writing experience. Writing for someone whom you may never see removes the threat of embarrassment, yet makes the importance of being clear and descriptive more poignant.
Students then focus on how to write better rather than on why to write better.
Eratosthenes, Ruopp, Dick and Shahaf, Gal. Shadows Hunter, Beverly.