Writing Center: Week 2

Hey there everyone,

 I would like to mention a few things before I dive into a commentary on the readings discussed/yet to be discussed in class.  

 

As you could tell by my minimal to pretty much non-existent input during the first several classes, I was very nervous. I had no idea what to expect from this class. I knew the basic premise of my sister's writing center, which seems to operate close to the same way as MSU.  She always talked about how much she enjoyed working there that I decided to look into what State had to offer. To be honest, I never even knew where the writing center's primary office was on campus.  In a year and a half on campus, the only hint I had seen to the existence of a larger writing center was a stand-up sign in the library showing the hours of that satellite center.  Maybe I missed out on a lot of information when I bypassed WRA? If I, an English major, did not know of the existence of the writing center, then how could an average student be aware of all the available services?

 

"Redefining our Existence" by Robert Barnett expresses the importance of a mission statement to the survival and development of writing centers. Higher student retention because of learning opportunities outside of the classroom is a solution to which support services like our MSU Writing Center greatly contribute.  There is nothing worse than the helpless feeling of not understanding what is happening in the classroom.  I can't even imagine how it would feel to be a new ESL student in a typical fast-paced American classroom.  As an English speaking student visiting a German school at the end of my senior of high school, I was completely lost.  I had what I thought was a solid foundation in conversational German.  That experience makes me want to help the ESL students succeed all the more.  

 

The other primary issue, which I thought was of merit, is the need for teacher collaboration.  Instructors must understand that writing centers are not just your "one stop shop" for spelling, basic grammar, and punctuation issues.  Also, instructors from classes that you would not expect to have to write papers should participate in Writing Across the Curriculum to contribute to their pupils education.  I do not think this next line can be said enough.  "Writing is the key to success, so invest in it and you will reap the rewards."  The tie between Writing Across the Curriculum, writing centers, and faculty can slingshot many students to success. Barnett says "we are working to educate the campus about the importance of writing as a way to enhance critical thought and students abilities to succeed in the academy..." He should have mentioned that critical thinking plays a huge part in business, for those students who do not stay in the academic game.  For lack of a powerful closing statement..I wish you all a happy weekend.