The Unpredictable Writing Center

Writing with Flare

2010-03-29T11:21:00.003-04:00

Writing with pin-point accuracy while incorporating colorful language, this is the challenge. A unique blend of creative and technical writing, which enhances the presentation as a whole, maintains focus while adding depth. A paradoxical statement to some, this kind of writing penetrates the mainstream standard. We owe it to academia; we are called to go beyond, we are called to push past. To do things like they have always been done and to expect different results, is insanity. To uphold the status quo, is to remain at mediocrity. The bar can always raise, those willing to set it higher are those who will see it done. Our writing should reflect our schooling, clear and concise should not be license to create dreary and drab. Let us ‘wow’ our audience! We are positioned to be a beacon of light; dry words only parch our readers.

“In writing, you have to gain an audience’s trust ...

2010-03-23T12:18:00.002-04:00

. . . They must believe you.” James Mangold, Walk the Line director and screenwriter

In leading worship, we would rehearse for an hour before the services started. We talked a lot about worshiping for the audience of One – that this wasn’t “practice” time alone – it was an opportunity to worship God before His people came in for worship. So we rehearsed with exuberance, lifting our hands or clapping, inviting the presence of God. When the church came in, our countenances and postures reflected excitement and adoration for the Lord. Had we run through the music half-heartedly, focusing solely on hitting the right notes and blending, there would be staleness to the worship.

Writing is similar. If we don’t believe in what we are writing, neither will the reader. If we put a paper together without a clear intent to communicate a message, the lack of “integrity” of our work will be quickly recognized. Let’s strive to put our heart in our work, regardless of the content we are writing about!

To Express Oneself Honestly

2010-03-15T10:40:00.002-04:00

Writing is a release... It is an expression of heart, there is liberty and freedom within each stroke. It can be a form of casting cares and transferring burdens. It can literally open the floodgates of heaven. Instead of bottling up one's emotions and feelings, one can convey them without necessarily conveying them. When there's no one to tell, tell the journal. Put thoughts on paper, allow them to flow. Don't hinder, don't forget, don't neglect the inner stirring. There is much profit to be had, there is much deliverance to be initiated. Write a covenant; etching it forth into the sands of time, sands that remain preserved throughout history. Create the living legacy, leave the message that transcends...

A Spiritual Endeavor

2010-03-05T00:27:00.002-05:00

In order to inspire, we must be inspired. We must be drawing from a deeper well, beyond the shallows of mere worldly wisdom. One can be filled with a plethora of intellectual knowledge, which simply fails to reach the heart. Life-giving words emanate from living water that flows from the very depths of our souls. A Spirit driven person, moved by the heart of God Himself, enters the realm of discovery. There are no limits, impossibility is a fragment of imagination that falls short regarding the things of God. We enter a new arena, a place where the right words written at the right time, can impact generation upon generation. The writer has passed, though through their words, they transcend their lifetime. Allow for the creativity of God; be a willing vessel, a conduit by which God touches the heart hardened by empty verbiage. Truth applied, transforms lives... Let us correspond accordingly, as truth channels, depositing words containing both power and life.

“Good writing is clear thinking.” – Max Lucado

2010-03-04T13:25:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time there was a student who needed help writing a paper. Although typically a very nice student, on this particular day the very nice student was very frustrated. By the end of the session, the reason became clear. The very nice, yet very frustrated student was attempting to write a paper without reading any of the source materials, and without attending class.

It seems preposterous, but how many of us attempt to write a paper before researching and outlining ahead of time? No stone throwing here – guilty as charged. I have re-read my own work, paused, and thought, what in the world am I talking about? But the paper gets turned in anyway, hoping to dazzle the professor with big words and long sentences, believing he or she will realize how brilliant I am and be able to figure out what I really meant. This is the case of muddled thinking.

Many times, the “arch enemy” is time. Or should I say, the lack of time management. Have you tried to meet last-minute deadlines by staying up all night on a caffeine buzz? Most of us experience this wretched night at least once while pursuing higher education. But if we will begin to train ourselves to work on projects ahead of time, it will give us the opportunity to process the material. This will generate clear thinking and result in good writing.

“Editing hurts, but so do cavities… (Part 3 of 3)

2010-02-22T17:02:00.000-05:00

…we can’t see them, so we call the dentist in who can.” – Max Lucado

In line with the necessity of rereading and rewriting our own work – over and over – there is another key ingredient we cannot overlook. It is the role of an editor. This does not mean you have to hire one to proof your Biology paper. It means you need to find a pair of willing “Fresh Eyes.” We are blind to the errors in our own work. This is why a movie director hires a movie editor. He has to trust that editor who is not himself and does not think like himself to recognize quality from quantity. Could it be that “less is more”? The editors in our lives help us refine (and reduce) our writing.

So how do we find someone willing to take the time to edit our (often long and tedious) papers?
In the academia world, we are surrounded by “like-minded, heavy-laden” souls who also have deadlines. It may not be a bad idea to find one or two others and exchange papers for the purpose of editing each other’s work. This is the classic “I’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine” routine. Hey, it is a classic saying because it works. It can even become a “club” of some kind – meet for lunch and make it as fun as possible.

Working hard, making the time, rewriting, and having someone edit your paper will transform your writing … and increase your grade point average. It will also help you become a better writer who knows how to effectively communicate – and connect – with your reader.

A Secret to Great Writing (Part 2 of 3)

2010-02-22T17:01:00.000-05:00

One of my graduate professors said that writing is made up of two parts: 20% original thought, and 80% rewriting that original thought. That is why we turn in “Zero Drafts”. These submissions don’t even count as first drafts. Uggh. No one enjoys rewriting. Yet this is the ingredient that separates good writers from great writers. So what do we mean by rewriting? Maybe this will help:

“Sentences are like just-caught fish: spunky today, stinky tomorrow.”
–Anonymous

What sounds good the first time written may not have the same pizzazz the following day. Rewriting starts with rereading. Reread your work (preferably out loud) after you write it. Pretend you are in the shoes of someone who just happens to pick up your work, having no previous knowledge of your subject. Do you have to explain a paragraph’s meaning out loud in order for it to be understood? Then rewrite it the way you just explained it out loud. Conciseness is your friend. Max Lucado said,

“Summarize the entire book into one sentence. All other paragraphs must pay homage to that sentence.”

This, my fellow writing friend, takes work. And work means revisions. (aka, rewriting!) And yet, rewriting is not quite enough on its own … Enter the editor.

“You want to write? Then put your butt in that chair, and sit there for a long, long time.” (Part 1 of 3)

2010-02-22T16:59:00.001-05:00

Max Lucado said this in his keynote address at a writer’s conference I just attended. He wasn’t speaking to the audience, however. This is the plaque he reads every time he sits down at his desk. Whether you are writing a paper for a class, hashing out a sermon, or submitting an article, the first draft is not going to cut it. Good writing doesn’t just happen. It’s Work.

A friend of mine casually mentioned the other day that he wants to eventually write “on the side”. He wants to address some deep theological issue, or maybe write about his life … he ended his thought by saying, “Writing is simple.” Is writing simple? Perhaps. Is writing something that others would take the time to sit down and read simple? Hardly.

So what if you’re writing an academic paper on a subject you aren’t really interested in? Write it with the intent of making it interesting and with excellence so that others (aside from your mother) would want to keep reading. Practice with these “deadline” papers, so when you encounter a subject you really want to write about, you will know how to write in order to connect with your reader.

This takes us back to Lucado’s “refined” yet absolutely true statement: writing takes time. Good writing takes practice, just like everything else. It separates the “goods” from the “greats” – the “who’s that?” from the “Michael Jordan’s”. EVERYONE knows who Jordan is. Is basketball simple? Maybe. Jordan took it to a new realm. We have the potential to do this in our writing. So aside from time, how do we get there? It’s called …

Rewriting.

A World of Options

2010-02-15T09:14:00.005-05:00

Writing can be expressed in a plethora of ways. It can, no doubt, take the form of many diverse structures. Shall we blend the lines? Or should there be clear points of division? For those who would like to define their particular style of writing, let us divulge further...

One way to differentiate between kinds of writing is as follows:
- Expository Writing - where the writing serves to explain, inform
- Descriptive Writing - writing that serves to show, describe
- Narrative Writing - tells a story
- Persuasive Writing - arguing for or against an issue
- Creative Writing - interestingly, creative writing is a vague term, but it includes (while isn't limited to) fiction (across the genres), poetry, drama, screenwriting, autobiographies and more.

Another way to divide the kinds of writing is from a target audience, or purpose point of view. So there can be:
- Academic writing - includes essays, research papers, reports and so on, each of them may use some of the modes listed above.
- Professional Writing - writing for academic or scientific journals, business reports, position papers, policy statements, and the likes, because these have to follow a standardized form.
- Business writing - includes technical writing, business plan writing, resume writing, letter writing etc.
- Copywriting - writing marketing text, grant writing
- Journalists, columnists, article writers (staff or freelance) - these writers write for newspapers and magazines either news articles, commentary or articles which focus on a certain subject
- Non-fiction book writers
- Fiction - novelists, screenwriters, playwrights, short stories writers, etc.
- Poets

More than Conquerors

2010-01-23T14:41:00.002-05:00

What does one do when the words stop flowing? Every exerted effort ceases to produce results, while the time is ticking and the deadline is approaching. Every ounce of inspiration has faded, every planned thought slips the grips of one's preconceived mind. Panic sets in...

Here are some practical ideas for defeating writer's block, once and for all:

- As time permits, put the project aside and do something refreshing.
- Take a step-by-step approach, setting attainable goals.
- Free-write in order to promote creativity.
- Establish a solid foundation of material.
- Re-read through source information.
- Choose a topic that impassions.
- Pray, commiting it to the Lord.
- Ask for another's opinion.
- Do not be such a critic.
- Read a favorite author.
- Listen to music.
- Exercise.
- Re-focus.

Shortcuts for Sources

2010-01-15T10:10:00.001-05:00

I have found throughout my years of taking classes that “less is more.” I am all about finding shortcuts that will make life easier, giving me more time to spend on things I really enjoy. (I like writing papers, but compared to spending time with friends or going to see a movie … who are we kidding? Academic writing doesn’t stand a chance.) So here are a few tidbits that may be helpful.

In most classes, when writing a paper or online discussion board posting, nearly every submission includes a quote or paraphrase from the main text which requires a reference. After putting my source in its proper format (APA, Turabian, etc), I save the reference in a Word document for that class. That way, the next time I use that source, I do not have to format the source again. I just copy and paste it, insert it at the bottom of my posting, or add it to the list of references on the reference page.

The same idea can be implemented when doing research papers. Let’s say I am interested in researching nonverbal communication expressed in movies in the 1950s. I begin researching online scholarly articles. Have you ever tried to go back to an article you found, and it has disappeared? Well I have, and to save me time – and sanity – any article that smells remotely interesting to my thesis statement is copied and pasted into a Word document.

I also make sure I include all necessary information for the citation in that same Word document. I may not need that source, so I don’t put the information in proper format, but if I do decide to use it, I have all the information there: the actual article and the citation information. This keeps me from having to “double” my work, remembering a week later, “Hey, I think I read something interesting online . . .” and having to re-research for that same document I had already found.

Saving files so I know what is in them is helpful as well. I may save the file with the name of the article and author, which triggers my memory to what is inside that document. This saves me time because I don’t have to keep opening and closing documents to remember what’s in each of them.

Just remember, copying and pasting are your friends. Happy Researching.

Just when you think you've finally got it . . .

2009-04-24T11:11:00.006-04:00

Just when you think you've finally got it, the powers that be go ahead and change everything on you. Ah, such is life . . .

Guess what? Now that we've all mastered the APA format, it is being updated!! The sixth edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association will be available this July.

While this may at first appear to be a setback for those of us who have highlighted and bookmarked our APA manuals to death, there are definitely some positive points worth noting. First, the new manual will have an expanded section for online sources, aiding us all immensely in this age of modern technology. Second, the new manual promises to be more user-friendly so that we can all find answers to our questions quicker and easier. Finally, in what will be lauded as the most brilliant stroke of genius since the one space after the period rule, the cover of the new manual will now be blue instead of black. So forget reaching for the imposing black manual of the 5th edition, and start treating yourself to the helpful blue skies of the APA 6th edition.

It's getting warmer

2009-04-06T15:55:00.012-04:00

It's getting warmer. It's more likely that you will be writing papers on your laptop outside or on the beach. It's time to enjoy the sun. It's time to enjoy spring. It's time . . .

Remember to run spellcheck. Remember to consult the Sentence Variety and Punctuation charts. Remember to bring your work into the Writing Center for additional coaching. Remember . . .

When the weather outside gets nice, spring fever could be knocking at the door. But stay the course, finish your tasks, and in about a month you will reap the reward.

Consider the weather today:
The sky was dark and foreboding. Rain hung in the air.
Birds were not chirping. They all had stopped to stare.
The wind, it bellowed and howled, threatening from all around.
The people hustled and bustled, their shadowed faces covered in frowns.
But then the sky was opened. The sun began to shine.
The rain melted away, and Spring shouted, "It's time!"
So if your assignments are mounting and causing you gloom and doom,
Remember that there is sunshine out there and you'll be celebrating soon!

Happy Spring!

The Final Step

2009-02-04T11:24:00.004-05:00

One time, I was dining with a certain someone who shall not be named at a certain restaurant that shall not be named as well. We finished a great meal and were walking to the car when I noticed something out of place. I couldn't believe what I saw, so I just started laughing. He looked down at his shoes saying, "What? What?" until finally he discovered the restaurant napkin still gracing his trousers. Ah, such is the risk we take when we fail to perform a final check.

In writing, checking over your paper before you submit it is crucial. Often times there are spelling errors or missing words or letters that your word processor will not catch. This should be your final check: read over your paper out loud word for word without letting your mind fill in any blanks; you must read exactly what is on the paper. This will ensure that you will be able to hand your papers in without the proverbial napkin on your pants.

p.s. If you ask us, we will tell you who the accidental napkin nabber is.

getting there

2009-01-14T14:31:00.003-05:00

hurrying by
weaving through
red light green
changing hue

over bumps
slowing speed
drawing close
to the need

powered door
take a right
Writing Center
now in sight

Pain and Pleasure

2009-01-08T10:03:00.004-05:00

I am reading a personal development book* that discusses how humans tend to avoid pain and pursue pleasure. Without long-term thinking, this is often done to our detriment: short-term pleasure can lead to long-term pain or vice versa. For example, the short-term pleasure of eating junk food may lead to the long-term pain of being overweight and unhealthy. On the other hand, the short-term pain of sacrificing time and money to pursue an education may lead to the long-term pleasure of being able to work in a field that excites you.

So what does this have to do with writing? Sometimes we avoid the short-term pain of getting our writing critiqued or spending the time for a writing center appointment to get help on our papers. It is easier to just hand it in. Or maybe we know that writing is a weak area and we would highly benefit from the Academic Writing Seminar semester-long course, but it is painful to sacrifice the time and admit that we need the instruction. But here is where the switch must be made. Think about the long-term pleasure that you will feel not only passing your classes but excelling in them. Imagine how you would feel if you could spend half the time working on a paper and still achieve a better grade. Would it be worth some short-term pain to achieve this long-term pleasure? What about avoiding the long-term pain of failing a class or missing out on that promotion or opportunity due to poor writing skills? These are the questions that we must ask ourselves.

So stop by the Writing Center this new year. We can help you avoid the pain of tomorrow by helping you with your writing skills today.

*Anthony Robbins, Awaken the Giant Within

Cast Your Vote

2008-10-13T15:29:00.002-04:00

It's almost time to cast your vote. No, I'm not talking about the presidential election--I'm talking about the style manual competition. What style manual is best: MLA, APA, or Turabian? Manuals will be judged according to three different categories: 1) ease of use, 2) clarity, and 3) the "cool" factor. To vote for your favorite style manual, simply go to the Writing Center website (www.regent.edu/writing) and click on the link "Style Manual Vote" on the reverse side of the page.

Carpetry and the Academic Writer

2008-09-19T15:33:00.006-04:00

I have to replace the flooring in my house. It is amazing what kind of damage a simple 30 or 40 gallons of water will do if you don't notice it. So, it is time to look at flooring. There are more types than I ever expected: wood, linoleum, pergo, tile, carpet . . . and each of those has a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, etc. Personally, I like something soft under my feet in the morning, so I always go for carpet. However, price is always an issue, so it has to be cheap. Thus, I don't have any Persian rugs, but if I could afford it, it would be perfect for me. Why? Well, let me tell you.

Down through the centuries, Persian rug makers have been considered the best in the business. There artwork is of the highest quality, and rugs can sell for thousands of dollars. This raises a question, though. What is the meaning of the famous term, "Persian flaw"? Well, it goes like this . . .

Persian weavers recognized that their skills was renouned throughout the world. Many cultures considered their rugs to be perfect. They realized, though, that only God could make anything completely perfect in every respect. Thus, they would purposely put a flaw into every carpet they made so that there was no chance that anybody--including themselves--would think they had made something perfect.

In a similar way, every person has something that prevents them from being completely perfect. (Of course, we all have more than a single flaw, but go with me on this for the sake of the analogy). This term is often used to describe something that is not major but that is still noticeable. This would be considered that person's Persian flaw.

My Persian flaw is proofreading. It doesn't matter how many times I proofread something I have written, there is always a single error that slips through. Either I accidently type a singular when I want a plural, or I add an extra consonant or vowel, or I put an extra period between sentences. This especially happens when I have written something that is going to somebody in an important position. I have realized this, so I regularly have someone else proofread anything significant. (Of course, it seems that my Persian flaw includes picking people who also miss just one thing).

As an academic writer, you, too, have a Persian flaw--something that you need to watch out for in your writing. Knowing what that is will help you take steps to overcome the problem. I guess that there is only one Persian flaw in academic writing that can't be easily fixed: the belief that you don't have one.

P.S. Did you notice the Persian flaw in the first sentence of paragraph 3? It wasn't put there on purpose--honest. It just got by me.

2008-08-21T13:51:00.003-04:00

The timer was set.
The dog it was placed.
Inside it was wet.
Preparing the taste.

I sat down to write.
I focused on that.
When out of my sight,
The dog had gone "splat."

I saw through the fog.
The timer was done.
My exploded hot dog
Was wanting a bun.

And now this great post
Recycled and new
is here to propose,
"Read the blog through and through."

Change

2008-08-11T10:35:00.003-04:00

"Actually, in a list of three or more items, a comma is required in between each of the items--even before the 'and,'" said the Writing Coach.

"But that's not the way it was when I went to school before," replied the student.

Change is a fact of life. How many of us have heard that before? It suddenly appears whether we want it to or not. Sometimes change can appear when we've just become comfortable with our routine. We look up from the safe and the normal and say to change, "Hold off a bit. I'm not ready for you." But still it comes. Like a knife slicing through a watermelon, it eventually breaks through all the rinds of resistance.

At the Writing Center, we recently upgraded to a new, online schedule that will enable students to sign up for appointments on their own. This new system will also track all of the information and generate reports when necessary, freeing up the Writing Center staff to do what we do best--coach students in their writing. It's going to be great, but now comes the task of adjusting to this new change and learning how to run the new schedule. At first glance, this looks like an unwelcome shift, but it will be very beneficial and easy to use in the long run--just like it makes sense to have a comma in between each item in a list!

Where to find??

2008-07-24T16:28:00.002-04:00

"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 . . ."

From Your Brand New Writing Coach

2008-07-08T15:33:00.011-04:00

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.

no punctuation or capitalization

2008-06-24T16:15:00.004-04:00

todays blog will be written without punctuation or capitalization in this way our readers will appreciate the significance of those elements in the writing process hopefully you will not get lost along the way or feel like you are riding on an ever accelerating train bound to crash into the chasm of confusion it is hard to slow down or pause without punctuation and capitalization shows the reader where sentences begin and important nouns are placed this paragraph is a perfect example of the expression that you dont know what you got till its gone they paved the paragraph and put up a bunch of letters now that we know why punctuation and capitalization are important we must improve this aspect of our writing

To do so, please see our Grammar and Punctuation Helps on our Resource page.

2008-06-13T11:17:00.002-04:00

When writing a paper you must
Establish an inkling of trust
You must be shrewd
Without being rude
Or risk your words turning to dust

And know you must also be clear
Your words on their minds you must sear
Be careful to make
No silly mistake
Or your reputation will suffer a smear

So write; have fun
And when you're done . . .
You'll be able to say that this bit of advice made the difference in your being able to translate thought and idea into letters and words that can be shared.

A Proper Introduction

2008-06-06T14:26:00.002-04:00

What is the subject of the sentence? . . . Uh, well, what is the main information or action in the sentence? Then what is the subject of this main information? . . . Ok, great. Now, if the subject does not start the sentence at the very beginning, it's a good indication that either Yoda is speaking or the sentence contains an introductory phrase that needs a comma after it. . . . Yes, that's right, the comma should go right before the subject. Great! Any other questions?

Who Notices What?

2008-05-30T13:56:00.003-04:00

I remember a commercial I saw this week: three men were sitting at a bar table. When the waitress comes over, they ask her if women really notice the shoes men wear. She immediately told them what they were wearing, for she had noticed. The men realized that women do notice those things.

I decided that I wanted to put this to the test. Today, I wore two different color shoes. The right shoe is brown, and the left shoe is black. However, I didn't want to stop there, so I went further. I wore a white sock with the brown shoe and a blue sock with the black shoe. I figured that this should clash and stand out from the khaki pants and maroon shirt I wore. (I also wore a black belt, which I have been told does not go with brown shoes--but there is debate in circles about that.)

I made it a point to walk to different places in the building and say "hi" to those who are supposed to be the most fashion-conscious among us. It was sometime around noon before one fellow employee noticed. I visited another office, and there were four women there. I asked if anybody noticed anything about me today. Only one of them realized what it was.

In some ways, this is like writing a paper. Some people notice the details while others only notice the big picture. However, it gets even more complicated when you realize that some people may notice the tiniest detail today when they hardly noticed the big picture last week. This can happen to anyone. My extremely fashion conscious coworker has previously noticed if my socks were the wrong shade of blue to go with my shirt, but never noticed my mismatched shoes and socks today.

What is the point of this illustration? Don't neglect the details. You never know when someone might be suddenly interested in a seemingly-insignificant comment in your writing and go to the source for more information. If it turns out that you didn't have all the material correct, it will cast doubt upon the rest of your paper--even if it is solid. This is also a reason to have someone else proofread your paper for you. They might already know what color your socks are . . .

The True Meaning

2008-05-23T13:12:00.008-04:00

Where does the phrase, "Saved by the Bell," come from? Is it based off of a hit teen tv show in the early 90's? Does it refer to a boxer being saved from a knockout? Or does it refer to the morbid manner that corpses saved themselves from being buried alive?

These options are the subject of a great debate igniting the internet (see www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/311000.html). It is impossible to tell what the correct origin of the phrase is. Therefore, some of the meaning is lost.

In writing academic papers, the true meaning must be clear. The last thing that an academic writer wants is for the professor or other readers to have to guess at the intended meaning of a sentence or paragraph. Even if the meaning is implied and the reader will eventually come to the right information through context, this momentary confusion obstructs the flow and charm of the paper.

Therefore, the following three guidelines should be kept in mind: 1) What is clear in the author's mind may not be clear to the reader; 2) Make sure that pronouns refer back to subjects within the same sentence or at least the sentence before; and 3) Err on the side of being too clear. With these guidelines, writers can ensure that they accurately get their point across to the reader.

Summer time

2008-05-20T13:13:00.003-04:00

Summer time and the livin' is . . .

Walk on the beach,
Run to the car,
Fill up the tank,
Maybe.

Fly a kite,
Run around a block,
Swim in the water,
Refreshing.

Picnic in the park,
Barbecue on the deck,
Writing Center open house food,
Anticipating.

Freedom!!

2008-04-29T14:32:00.005-04:00

Freedom!!

With the semester winding down and graduation just around the corner, many students are excited for the freedom of summer break. Now you will finally have time to read all of the books that you put off because you were too busy to read them during school! Along with vacations and fun in the sun, bring a good book along with you this summer. Reading will keep your brain stimulated so that there are less cobwebs to dust off when classes resume. The Writing Center suggests reading three books this summer: one purely fun and entertaining book, one book that will teach you a new skill or help you grow as a person, and one book that will help you grow spiritually.

For starters, I would suggest "The Shack" by William P. Young. It is a very thought-provoking book about God that is sweeping the country. Check it out at www.theshackbook.com
You can also see the recent 700 club interview here: www.cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/Paul_Young_030708.aspx

I also suggest "Till We Have Faces" by C.S. Lewis for entertainment and "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki for growth and learning. Enjoy your summer reading!

Finishing Strong

2008-04-22T12:07:00.004-04:00

The end of the school year is near
But do not give in to your fear
Assignments are due
You haven't a clue
So schedule some help from us here

We know that you might feel some stress
When wanting to end with your best
But do not lose heart
Come here for a start
And we will take care of the rest

But know first that when you come in
We aren't a cure-all Doctor Quinn
We'll meet you halfway
And that's when you'll say
"Boy, thanks, what a help you have been!"

For when we are working with you
You'll grow as a writer, that's true
Your skills will increase
Your fear, it will cease
Your teachers will be impressed too!

The Sandwich with No Toppings

2008-04-10T13:14:00.006-04:00

Sentences are like sandwiches with no toppings . . .

(interuption) Wait! Hold on a second! An author cannot simply juxtapose any two nonrelated items to make a literary point. This is simply not acceptable! Please try again.

(resumption) Ahem. Sentences without good word choice are like sandwiches with no toppings. Using exciting and professional sounding words will give sentences the flair that they need to keep the reader wanting more.

Here are a couple examples.
Boring --> "The student did his paper and then did something else."
Interesting --> "The stressed student rigorously finished his twenty page paper, quickly progressing to a study session for his final exam."

The second sentence, while also giving more information and a clearer meaning, conveys a tone of urgency and stress that is not present in the first sentence. It is clear and interesting. And thus, the simile is complete. Pile on choice toppings into your sentences through great word choice.

April 1st News Flash!!

2008-04-01T15:35:00.005-04:00

This just in! Katie Elle Turabian, Alfred Phillips-Adams (APA), and Mary-Lang Abrams (MLA) have all announced some significant changes to the formatting of academic papers.

First, all title pages will henceforth be abolished. Mr. Phillips-Adams of APA was available for comment: "We have found the title page to be a distracting bit of fluff that is not essential to the paper. We at APA are only concerned with facts and dates; the title page is an unneccesary bow tie on the writer's proverbial academic present."

Next, as the spacing after the period was previously reduced from two spaces to one, it shall now be reduced from one space to none. "Spacing between sentences is really quite over-rated," quipped Mary-Lang Abrams."The period alone is sufficient enough to show distinction between sentences.Nothing more is needed."

Finally, Katie Elle Turabian has convinced the other style gurus to join her in making each section of an academic paper have its own format for page numbers. "The table of contents will continue to have roman numerals at the bottom center of the page," Turabian said. "The introduction shall have latin numerals at the top right, starting over with one. The body of the paper will go back to roman numerals, this time at the bottom left of the page. The conclusion will have large tally marks handwritten on top of the text. Finally, the reference page will contain the final numbers for the paper, continuous from the first section at the top left of the page, written in binary form."

As of April 1st, these changes are in place and are expected to be followed for all Regent University academic assignments.

Two Parts

2008-03-17T14:40:00.004-04:00

The concept of pairs is prevalent in our society: two pairs of shoes, two slices of bread for a sandwich, and two flights for a round trip. These examples, however, are two identical pieces that form a cohesive whole. There are many other cases where two dissimilar pieces create one new entity: a ball and a hoop make basketball, hydrogen and oxygen become water, and a man and a woman create a marriage.

In the same way, a sentence needs two main parts to be a complete sentence. The first part, being the subect, even being long . . . >-----------< . . . needs to be finished by a verb of some sort. Therefore, a subject and a verb come together to form a complete sentence. Jesus wept. "Jesus" answers the question of who, and "wept" fulfills the action. If either part is missing, the sentence is not complete. It would be like a man going to his wedding and marrying . . . himself! It just would not work; he needs a wife.

Identifying the subject and verb of a sentence is the first part towards becoming a confident writer. Even if the sentence is long and contains a great deal of introductory information, the confident writer who knows how to identify subjects and verbs will punctuate the sentence correctly no matter how many additional phrases are present in the sentence.

Spring Break

2008-03-10T11:04:00.004-04:00

With the advent of spring break, many people take advantage of the opportunity to travel to new places. Here at the Writing Center, it is no different.

I had never been to a Wawa gas station before, so I told myself that this was the year I would finally get there. Boy, was that a great decision! I found that there is so much to a Wawa that you would have trouble believing me if I told you: sandwiches made to order, coffee, tea, doughnuts, pita rounds with hummus, and even apple slices with peanut butter snacks. Oh, they also have gas as well for the vehicles. (There's something for everyone.) It was quite the experience.

I tell you this not to advertise for Wawa or incite you to applaud me for going on a stellar spring break trip; instead, I wanted to point out the novelty of the new. In the writing world, it is easy to become complacent with one's level of writing. One new writing insight, however, can add spice and creativity to the writing of even the most well-written writer. Semicolons, for example, can be used to join two complete sentences; they are really neat! Introducing a quotation with a colon after a complete sentence is great as well: "Here is an excellent example." Finally, writers--students, teachers, and professionals alike--can all add flair with the dash--as long as they are used rarely.

Think of the Writing Center lika a Wawa: there is something here for everybody. As you travel along your writing journey, stop by and pick up a token or tid-bit that will improve your skills and make your writing a bit more fun!

Facing a fear

2008-02-18T09:40:00.002-05:00

This weekend, I did something that always filled me with great fear and dread in the past: I got my car inspected. (Even fictional characters have to obey the law.)

During my fictional undergrad, I had several cars. They were very old, and they were not in good condition. Inspection time for me was a time of being roasted over the coals of inadequacy. My cars never passed the first time--and usually not the second or third, either. I would have so much anxiety over this yearly activity that I would offer to pay people to bring my car in for me. I would sweat and shake and pray. Then, the mechanic would tell me why it failed, and I would have to do it all again in a week.

I remember having to replace a muffler, and since I didn't have the money to have it done, I had to do it myself. Some people are good at that, but not fictional writing coaches. I was crawling under the car, getting covered in pine needles, trying to figure out what a muffler was and how it gets replaced. Even after I accomplished it, it still failed inspection twice. It was a time of weeping and wailing. Thankfully, grace has washed most of the memory away.

However, this weekend was different. You see, I have a newer fictional car. It is only about 3 fictional years old. I brought it in to the fictional dealer, and I worked on my fictional laptop while I waited. This time, there was almost no fear. This new emotional state was due to one thing: I knew that my car was in good shape. Thus, I didn't have to worry, fret, and pace the floor. (I did have to wait almost 2 hours, though. Even fictional mechanics can be slow.) My car passed inspection. I went on my way, thinking about nothing except whether I wanted to go to McDonalds or go home and have a hot dog.

Writing is very similar in some respects. I used to have a lot of fear when I turned papers in to professors. Part of this was because I was never sure of what the professor was looking for in it. However, some of it was because I didn't know if the paper was that good. Actually, I shouldn't limit it to papers . . . it counts for any assignment. I would stress when I was trying to decide what to do. I would stress when I was putting off starting it. I would stress when I finally started it much later than I should have done. I would stress while I was trying to put thoughts together. I would stress when I was typing it up. By the time I had finished the first draft, I would be so emotionally exhausted that I didn't want to proofread it. Then, after turning it in, I would stress until I got it back. It was not fun.

Then, I spent an entire semester working on my writing skills. I learned how to use my style manual and what a paper should look like. I proofread every sentence to make sure I was using the rules of subordination and coordination correctly, and I checked the punctuation chart for commas, semicolons, and dashes. When I wrote a paper, I would read the first line of every paragraph to see if they fit together to form an outline my paper. I revised my assignments to make sure that I stayed on topic and that it made sense.

After this semester, I noticed something. I suddenly didn't have to proofread my sentences for coordination or subordination because I was recognizing the rules as I wrote the sentences. I remembered the punctuation rules while I typed, and I had a feel for what construction would work best. I spent four months forcing myself to do it, but it became part of my writing.

Now, I rarely have to worry about those things in my writing. Now, I just worry about wording, spelling, and typos. It really is worth the trouble to get in shape.

Pandora's Box

2008-02-05T10:31:00.000-05:00

Suppose there was a box that one could purchase which would format papers into the correct style. Would that be worth something? No more looking through the Turabian, MLA, or APA style guide to learn how to format a paper--one simply uses the correct software, and it's done!

This is a tempting offer for many, but beware! Those software programs simply are not reliable. When one opens the box for that software and uses it for a paper, a whole slew of errors may have just been opened along with it. The only sure remedy is to use the manual and actually learn the style. The Writing Center can help students navigate the style guide so that it is manageable and easy to understand. In addition, the Writing Center resource page has numerous aids to format papers correctly: http://www.regent.edu/admin/stusrv/writingcenter/Resources.cfm

So steer clear of formatting programs offering more than they can give. They may just be a "Pandora's Box" of software escorting pain, despair, and sadness into the life of a student as the papers return full of red marks.

Tax forms and the new year

2008-01-28T10:25:00.000-05:00

Every year when I do my taxes, I have to search through piles of paper to find all the forms and receipts I need. I always decide that I am going to keep all my tax-related material in one place, but it doesn't happen. However, it's not all my fault that I struggle with staying organized; it is partly genetic. You see, my mother was an antique dealer, and my father did flea markets and yard sales. My DNA is predisposed to collect things. I am sure that if I was the only human that alien scientists ever met, they would find chromosomal similarities to a pack rat. I also love sales. If you are like me, don't ever turn on the television at 3 in the morning and watch one of those paid advertisements. I always find myself thinking, "Wow! It vacuums the floor, washes dishes, inflates tires, and makes creme brule--all in one! How did I ever get by without one?" I have to stay away.

So, like every year, I have started going through papers to find receipts for the IRS. If I am going to get a little refund, I try to file early. If I am going to have to pay, I may wait until April. Wouldn't it be nice if there was always a refund for those who file early? That would be good motivation. Sadly, it is not that way with taxes. However, it may well be different with writing.

Organization plays a huge part in the writing process; so does having the time to be careful and thoughtful in the assignment. When you get things done early, there is less stress, less rushing, and less chance for mistakes. You can take time to really look at what you wrote to see if there is any better way to present it. When you can do that, your grade will really be like a tax refund. Waiting until the last minute, however, is like starting your taxes on April 12. You have to rush to get all your material, put it together as quickly as possible, and hope you didn't make any mistakes. At those times, you pay before and after.

So, now is the time to begin working on being organized and starting things earlier instead of later. Remember--a refund is always better.

The mailman

2008-01-14T14:54:00.000-05:00

The mailman approached the building, his mind focused on his mission. Nothing would stop him from reaching the box. With the goal in sight, he broke into a sprint. He raced forward over bush, grass, and sidewalk until . . . a patch of black ice sent his feet into the air and his face on the ground. The mailman lay there for some time, breathing heavily as his merry-go-round world melted back into focus. A sharp pain shouted through his skull, but his mission continued to sing quietly like the gentle dawn of spring. He had to deliver the mail; failure was not an option. Slowly, the mailman managed to get to his feet and walk the remaining paces to the box. He delivered his contents and walked away, the sweet taste of success coating his pristine vision.

Sometimes we make mistakes with writing. Sometimes we even fall flat on our faces. It is what we do after our failures that define us. Do we lie there in pain, never finishing our task, or do we, like the mailman, get up and finish what we started? The Writing Center challenges you to be the mailman of your own life.

2008

2008-01-04T10:34:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

Now is the time for New Year's Resolutions. If, like most people around the world, you woke up January first and thought to yourself, "I want to become a better writer," then we can help. Unlike a gym, there are no membership fees*. So come on by or call in to start changing your life today!

*besides what you have already paid to attend the university

The (Very) First Person

2007-12-11T17:10:00.000-05:00

How does one write a paper but manage to avoid using first or second person pronouns? Answer: very sneakily . . . .

Look at the first sentence. I could have easily asked how "you" write a paper, but I refrained. Using the third person word of "one" saved me.

*Note - When writing your paper, the reader knows and understands that it is the work of the author. Therefore, using "I" or "we" is not needed. Simply state the information boldly and proudly.

Christmas

2007-12-11T15:29:00.000-05:00

Christmas time is here.
Thanks for frequenting us this year.
Your writing's improved,
Your teacher's behooved,
To give you passing grades and cheer!

Vague

2007-11-16T13:44:00.000-05:00

Pain.

Pressure.

Hurt.

Angst.

What is going on? I want to know. As I read the text, I feel tossed and turned around in the tumultuous waves of unbridled, vague thought . . .

Searching through files that pertain to various references dealing with grammar usage, one can possibly attempt to discover some different points that can be shown. Among these are points that could be used to help some writers improve upon skills that they might need to work on. This paper will offer these points to show what could possibly be improved upon.

No!!!! Be specific. Commit. Don't be afraid to use strong language (in a good way :)). Use active voice instead of passive voice. This is your paper, so make strong statements and back them up. Weak word choice is unattractive. Strong statements and bold points will motivate the reader to continue through the entirety of the paper.

Relax and type. Let your sentences carry your meaning forth to the reader. Writing with confidence, your readers will follow you wherever you clearly take them.

Clarity.

Peace.

Understanding.

Joy.

*The example paragraph was made up by the Writing Center ghosts and in no way pertains to any particular student.

Picture this

2007-11-09T11:18:00.000-05:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I can believe that. If that is true, then it also means that a thousand words make a good picture. In essence, that is what a paper is doing--drawing a picture in the reader's mind of what the author is saying. Maybe it isn't a picture of a tree or a landscape, and maybe it isn't an object as much as an idea, such as justice, faith, or understanding. Whatever it is, the mode of communication is the same.

However, this brings up a good point. If we follow the analogy, what makes a picture clear or hazy? If there is a lot of static on the television screen, it is hard to make out the details of the picture. How much better are high definition plasma screens? Similarly, too many phrases and extraneous words in the sentences can make the image less than well defined. When the writing is concise, the picture becomes sharp. Paint brushes are good for landscapes, but they don't work for blueprints and diagrams; sharp pencils give detail where detail is needed.

Almost every child enjoys coloring with crayons or color pencils. Coloring books are found almost everywhere today, as are crayons, pastels, markers, and colored pencils. Some of these are easier to use than others--especially when trying to stay within the lines. It may turn out to be a lovely picture, but those black lines make all the difference. In a paper, this is the structure and organization. Is the train of thought consistent, or does it jump around? Do the points follow in an orderly manner, or do they crawl like snails before jumping like grasshoppers? Are all the sentences on a subject grouped in their own paragraphs, or do they overlap like a crayon drawing? Clear lines make a clear picture.

So, just like a picture is worth a thousand words, those thousand words can create a very good picture. Clarity, conciseness, and structure can be difficult, but it can be what separates a cartoon drawing from a polaroid picture, a polaroid picture from a magazine photograph, and a magazine photograph from a movie clip. The clarity of the writing is what counts.

Practice

2007-11-05T12:27:00.000-05:00

"I ain't knowing what kinda way to write for this here paper. It's like searching for a needle in a haystack."

There is a reason that the above statement is in quotation marks. It has a spoken tone rather than the correct formal tone of a paper. Cliches, colloquial phrases, and word choice typical of spoken English should not be used in a written paper.

How does one discover how to write in this formal tone? To use a cliche that one would not want to use in a written paper, "Practice makes perfect." The more reading and writing a person does, the more that person will recognize which word choices are appropriate and which are inappropriate in the written world. One can read scholarly journals on interesting subject matter, engaging novels that thrill the imagination, or even newspaper articles on current events. As long as the source is not a chatroom or an email, it will probably increase the writing skills of its readers. Therefore, it is important to take cues from even the most unlikely of sources . . .

How do I proofread? Let me count the ways . . .

2007-11-02T15:16:00.000-04:00

How do I proofread? Let me count the ways.
I proofread to the depth and breadth and height
My paper can reach, to make sure it’s right
For the ends of assignments and classes.
I proofread to the level of the perfectionist’s
Most basic need, by lamp and fluorescent-light.
I proofread freely, as students strive for Right;
I proofread purely, accomplishing my Best.
I proofread by reading out loud
So that my old mistakes will be laid to rest.
I proofread with an eye I seemed to lose
With my lost papers, --- I proofread with the eyes,
Mouth, ears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but proofread better after I come to the Writing Center.

~Adapted from "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..."by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

2007-10-30T13:10:00.000-04:00

"What would you like to focus on during this session?" Her words hung in the air like toothpicks searching for a mouth to rest in.

There would be no fire drill today.

How many are you refering to?

2007-10-15T16:20:00.000-04:00

An individual decided that their thoughts were out of sync. In fact, in only one sentence, the individual had lost his or her individuality! "How could this happen?" one might ask. The answer lies in the mischievous nature of pronouns. In this politically-correct world, one cannot simply use the pronoun "he" in reference to something that could be either male or female. However, using "his or her" ofter appears too cumbersome for writers. That is where the pronoun "their" makes its move. It sneaks into a sentence, tricking writers into believing that they can refer back to a singular item. But "their" is a trickster . . .

Fortunately, the writing center has found a way to beat and satisfy this challenging foe. First, one can use "he or she" to deny "their" any place in the text. But even better than that, one can use "their" but change the noun that it references to the plural. That way, individuals will not lose their individuality!

The Manual

2007-10-04T16:09:00.000-04:00

We have style manuals for the three main writing styles: Turabian, APA, and MLA. This is so that everybody will have a standard to refer to when they write. However, I wish that we had style automatics instead. That way, I would not have to look up the correct way to cite a webpage in Turabian--it would automatically cite it correctly for me. As it is, I must manually look up each entry to ensure that I have properly adhered to the guidelines listed therein. That takes time . . . .

Therefore, I see that I have only two options before me. I can either memorize each of the style manuals so that I will not need to look up information in them, or I can become just familiar enough with them so that I can quickly look up the information I need. Similar to the periodic table of elements or the nutrition information on the back of a can of pork n' beans, I think I will choose the latter.

There once was a student named Samuel,
Who worked on his writing assignment.
He opened his manual,
And became the man who all-
People adored as divine-sent.

Cherry Kisses

2007-09-27T14:33:00.000-04:00

Cherry kisses are Hershey's chocolates with a cherry center, and we have a plethora of them here at the Writing Center, thanks to one man. We literally have bowls, bags, and drawers full of this small treat. The first few taste great, but there comes a time when enough is enough! I cannot eat another kiss; I will not do it. Eating one or two every now and again is a pleasure, but I cannot bear to eat them continuously.

Such is the case with many things in writing. Less is more. Let a direct quote add flair and credibility to your paragraph, but do not let it suffocate your other sentences. Use long and complex sentences to deliver your information in a sophisticated manner, but let short sentences add variety and simplicity as well. Use three examples to prove your point, or surprise the reader by saying nothing instead (just kidding - do not do this).

Cherry kisses are good. Let's keep them that way. Writing is also good and tasty. Let's keep it that way.

p.s. Come eat our kisses.

Busy, busy.

2007-09-20T15:22:00.000-04:00

My, things are flying fast over here! If you could see for yourself, you would witness the buzz of activity that has become the Writing Center. So many people are wanting to improve their writing through tutoring sessions with the Writing Center that our slots are filling up quickly. If you need to schedule an appointment, call at least 2 or 3 days in advance because we are hopping! Don't make the fatal mistake of waiting until the last minute! Hop on the phone to schedule your appointment today. Otherwise, you may experience the devastation and heartache known only to those who cannot get an appointment before their assignment is due. Alas, we try to help them in their noble pursuit but are restricted by the bonds of time and space.

Hop-hop.

or

Huff-puff.

The Clueless Reader

2007-09-14T16:33:00.001-04:00

I have a confession to make. I, as a reader, am clueless. In fact, I'm a bit of a dimwit. When reading, I struggle to figure the information out on my own. It's like I have to have everything spelled out for me . . .

But that is who I am: a clueless reader. Maybe I'm not alone. Maybe I'm not the only who struggles to know what is meant by words such as "things" and "stuff." Maybe I'm not the only one who needs a transition to inform me that the paper has switched topics. Maybe I'm not the only one who has great difficulty guessing the intention of a writer.

But I'm okay with who I am, and I would gladly have everyone treat me as I deserve. I am a babe. I am unfamiliar with the writer's background information. I am a clueless reader. You will not insult me by making your points extra clear, your words precise, your organization intentional, and your phrasing concise. No, you will not insult me . . . you will honor me.

The List

2007-09-06T12:53:00.000-04:00

I've decided to spend the night in the Writing Center to better acquaint myself with the illustrious atmosphere. For my adventure, I need to bring a toothbrush, a flashlight (for reading at night), paper and nutrients.

Wait a second! I think I forgot something! I also need to remember my commas. In this day and age one cannot forget any commas in a list. Since paper and nutrients are two separate items on my list, and my list contains more than two items, they need to be separated by a comma as well. I must put the comma before "and."

For my adventure, I need to bring a toothbrush, a flashlight (for reading at night), paper, and nutrients.

Ahhh! Now I have everything. Let the adventure begin!

2:39 am - It's dark and scary in here.

Hot Dogs, Pop, and Popcorn

2007-08-31T11:35:00.000-04:00

Today is the final day for free hot dogs, pop, and popcorn in the Regent Writing Center. If you missed it, mark it on your calendars for next year!

The timer was set.
The dog it was placed.
Inside it was wet.
Preparing the taste.

I sat down to write.
I focused on that.
When out of my sight,
The dog had gone "splat."

I saw through the fog.
The timer was done.
My exploded hot dog
Was wanting a bun.

Just One

2007-08-27T22:25:00.000-04:00

I came to a crisis of belief today. I opened my eyes and the world changed on me . . . I can't believe it. Something so big has happened that it's like a paradigm shift in my reality. I am still adjusting. Indeed, I may be adjusting for sometime . . .

Well, I was in the writing center today, tutoring. As I read a client's paper, I noticed the spacing after the period. I didn't say anything about it, but I thought it strange. After the client left, I yelled to Marty Dignard, "Hey, Marty, there's two spaces after a period, right?" At this moment my world collapsed. Marty replied, "Uh, actually, it's just one now."

I was in shock. I was incredulous. I was exaccerbated. How did this happen? This is a standard of written English; it can't just change overnight! I am a writing-center tutor! How dare it change on ME!

After some debate and investigation with Marty, we found an internet site for the MLA format that verified Marty's claim. Check it out for yourself: http://www.mla.org/style_faq3. It says that one space after the period is now the standard . . . although two spaces are usually accepted.
So here I am, trying to find myself again after my world has been turned upside-down. What can I do? Try to change? As you can see from the spacing after my periods, this is very difficult for me. I just can't bring myself to leave only one space after the period. Two spaces are what I've always done. I thought it would always be this way. Maybe I should get with the times. Maybe I should try this new-fangled English. OK, I'll give it a shot right now. I'm doing it. Ouch, it hurts. Oooh, it hurts real bad. This just does not look right. It also brings this sharp pain to my heart. I can't keep doing this. I must stop. Now! Ah! That's better. I'm back to normal. It's like I can finally breathe again. My text needs to breathe. Just let me breathe! Just let me breathe.

News Update: The doctor has certified that our Friendly Neighborhood Writing Coach is doing fine. His panic attacks have stopped, and he is sleeping at night again. As he transitions to this "new English," we are letting him put 2 spaces after the period on his posts, and then we are going through and removing the extra space. However, he is practicing every day, and we expect that he will soon have this mastered without medication.

Welcome

2007-08-27T22:19:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Regent University Writing Center Online Blog! We are here to teach you how to write gooder!

Ahem . . . er . . . I meant "better" . . .

Anyway, welcome to our blog!

Here you will find various antidotes (um . . . anecdotes? maybe it's both . . .) relating to the thrill of the writing experience and the various information gained therein. We hope you enjoy!

2004-08-30T11:45:00.000-04:00