First Steps: Discussing Why
& How to Set Up a Writing Center
THE
CONCEPT OF A WRITING CENTER
A successful
writing-across-the-curriculum initiative always includes a writing center in
its plans. Writing centers provide supplementary
support for students and faculty alike.
Although writing centers develop according to the needs of the high
school or college that they serve, they share a number of approaches in common:
·
Tutorials occur in a one-to-one setting.
·
Tutors are coaches and collaborators, not teachers.
·
Each student’s individual needs remain the focus of the
tutorial.
·
Tutorials encourage experimentation and practice.
·
Writers work on writing from a variety of courses.
·
Writing centers are available for students at all levels of
writing proficiency.
Writing centers operate on the
principle that the best writing comes from discussion, critical thinking, and
revision. Tutors work with writers,
giving them the kind of feedback that writers need to make good choices. Tutors do not do writers’ work for them—nor
do tutors ever grade writing—but they offer help in understanding and
developing writing assignments.
See SLATE Statement, <http://nwca.syr.edu/NWCA/Startup/Slate.html>
Starting up a writing center
involves the effort of several enthusiastic faculty members. A faculty can begin planning together by
seeking answers to the following questions:
1.
What will be the writing center’s goals?
2.
Who will be the constituencies of the writing center?
3.
How can the writing center attract students?
4.
Where will the writing center be located?
5.
Who will provide writing center supplies, & what
materials will be needed?
6.
Who will direct the center, & what qualifications should
that person have?
7.
Who will staff the center, & how will they be
compensated?
8.
How & when will the staff be trained?
9.
How will the staff keep records?
10.
How will the staff & writing center services be
evaluated (and by whom)?
11.
What kinds of technology will be available?
12.
As the writing center grows, will it need a budget?
Answers to these questions depend
upon the kind of school a writing center serves, its resources, & its
mission.
Faculty leadership & advocacy
constitute crucial elements, but student participation is often the determining
factor for success. Not only do
students come to see a writing center as a friendly & non-threatening place
to improve their writing, but many also find they enhance their own learning by
becoming peer tutors.
Writing centers are one of the best
sites in a school for sharing mutual goals and interests.
See: http://www.engl.niu.edu/writing_center/
Is it feasible to start a writing center at your school as a part of a writing-across-the curriculum initiative? How would a writing center make an impact upon the teaching of writing in different subject areas?
Examine the questions to consider,
above. Think as well about the kinds of
curricular changes you might be able to make in your own courses, if you and
your students had the reliable support of a well-run writing center. Then do the following:
·
Discuss the possibilities
· Share doubts as well as hopes
· Ask someone to take notes, so you can record input at the end of 15 to 20 minutes of discussion and perhaps have material to report back to the rest of the faculty