"Aggh! Where is it? I don't know the answer. How do I cite an online source in APA? I've read the whole manual and can't make heads or tails of it."
Then, in the distance, a mysterious voice rings through the air: Use . . . the . . . index . . . . It fades away just as mysteriously as it came.
"Use the index?! You mean all that stuff in the back of the manual actually means something? Maybe I'll have to give that a try . . ."
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
From Your Brand New Writing Coach
About three weeks ago, I (Bri) started working at Regent's Writing Center. Having worked for two years as an undergraduate writing consultant at another university, I felt pretty well-prepared to fill the role of Writing Coach. I had worked with students and faculty across the curriculum on all kinds of writing, presented to classrooms both large and small, and completed my Bachelor's degree in English Literature. What else was there to learn about writing? Ah, the sin of arrogance...
Within a week, I realized I had a lot to learn. First, I was asked to take a "Sentence Variety Test," which, unfortunately, revealed my lack of familiarity with punctuation rules. Next, I wrote a "Diagnostic Essay"; three drafts covered in my co-workers' comments and corrections later, I learned that my writing was "wordy." Oh no, I thought: good writers shouldn't have so many errors in their writing!
As I nursed my shattered ego, I began to wonder why I had even been hired. I had forgotten that--just as the Christian is continually being sanctified in holiness--a writer should forever be improving his skills in clarity, grammar, and style. My new colleagues reassured me that I was not a failure; they, too, had individual habits and challenges to overcome in their writing. And all of us, despite our imperfections, can help others to become better writers.
Gaining the perspective of the client over the past few weeks has helped prepare me to be a better Writing Coach. While it can be discouraging to realize that your writing needs work, knowing that those helping you aren't perfect writers either can help to soften the blow. Now, I am learning to receive their constructive criticism as I continue to develop my writing skills.
Within a week, I realized I had a lot to learn. First, I was asked to take a "Sentence Variety Test," which, unfortunately, revealed my lack of familiarity with punctuation rules. Next, I wrote a "Diagnostic Essay"; three drafts covered in my co-workers' comments and corrections later, I learned that my writing was "wordy." Oh no, I thought: good writers shouldn't have so many errors in their writing!
As I nursed my shattered ego, I began to wonder why I had even been hired. I had forgotten that--just as the Christian is continually being sanctified in holiness--a writer should forever be improving his skills in clarity, grammar, and style. My new colleagues reassured me that I was not a failure; they, too, had individual habits and challenges to overcome in their writing. And all of us, despite our imperfections, can help others to become better writers.
Gaining the perspective of the client over the past few weeks has helped prepare me to be a better Writing Coach. While it can be discouraging to realize that your writing needs work, knowing that those helping you aren't perfect writers either can help to soften the blow. Now, I am learning to receive their constructive criticism as I continue to develop my writing skills.
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