• Personal Statements
• Term Papers
• Undergraduate Theses
• Lab Reports
• Letters to the Editor
• Short Response Papers
• Job Application Materials
  

If you are interested in becoming a Writing Assistant, contact Dr. Brian Johnson, Director of the Honors College Writing Center, at 325-0711 or Brian.Johnson-1@ou.edu.  Students wishing to be considered for the position need to:

Course Description

This course introduces students to the field of rhetorical theory so that they may continue developing their own unique writing skills.  The course operates on the assumptions that writing is essentially a social act, and that writing should be produced with an audience in mind.  Writing Workshop will be a space for you to learn more about the craft of writing, the nature of academic discourse, and the expansion of audience awareness.  The course will also be an introduction to good tutoring practices and will prepare students to become Writing Assistants within the Honors College Writing Center.  We will address some key questions, including: What is “good writing?”  How can we develop our own rhetorical skills?  How can we help others to become better writers? 

Throughout the semester we will read, write, observe, and discuss in order to better answer these and related questions.  At the end of the semester, you’ll know more about yourselves as writers and you’ll be much more qualified to provide feedback to others who are struggling to write well.  Obviously, the course helps prepare you to work in the Honors College Writing Center, but it will also serve you well if you ever intend to teach or to otherwise guide would-be writers at any level or in any discipline.

Required Texts

Contact Dr. Brian Johnson for an updated list of required texts.

Required Work

• Minor Papers: Three Minor Papers (3-5 pp each) will be required.  Each Minor Paper is an opportunity to critically engage with a set of readings and/or class discussions.
• Tutorial Reports: An important part of your preparation is working with other students as they develop their own writing.  You will participate in a series of tutoring sessions and then produce reports, verbal and written, concerning these sessions.
• Mid-term Exam: You will be required to take a written mid-term exam. 
• Major Paper: One major paper (approx 15pp) will be required.  Your major paper will include extensive research and will need to display your ability to inquire deeply concerning, rhetorical theory, writing, and tutoring.
• Full Participation: You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss assigned readings, and to participate fully in all class activities.  Since this is a small class, we all need to stay on top of things so that our conversations remain productive, interesting, and relevant.

• Killian Naylor, a recent graduate from OU, has joined the ranks of Teach For America.  Get out there and fight the good fight!

• Rachel Grisso, an Architecture student and HCWC Writing Assistant, was recently named an OU "Outstanding Senior."  Congratulations to Rachel!
  

• Every year a small handful of students are honored for their writing and research by getting their work published in The Honors Undergraduate Research Journal (THURJ), available in the main Honors College office. This year, two of those published authors are Brietta Diede and Julia Ross, both of whom currently serve as Writing Assistants!  Brietta's piece is entitled "The Study of Literature and its Usefulness in the Dynamic Role of the Physician" and Julia Ross' essay is named "Vital Interests': John Dewey and the College Writing Center."   Congratulations to both of you for your hard work and excellent writing!

• Sean Wion and Julia Ross recently presented their research at the 2007 International Writing Centers Association" Conference in Houston, TX.  Along with Dr. Brian Johnson, Director of the Honors College Writing Center, Sean and Julia gave a 75 minute presentation entitled "Minimal Space, Maximal Impact: The Small Writing Center as Model for Change."  The presentation focused on the ways in which small writing centers such as ours can make big differences to the students with whom we work. 

• Matt Byrd recently presented his research findings at SRPD, The Student Research and Performance Day.  His presentation was judged the best of the conference!

• Munim Deen was recently named a member of PE-ET, a designation reserved only for OU's top seniors.
  

• Nena Cavel has been awarded a spot in OU's N.E.W. Leadership 2008 program.  Congratulations to Nena for this fine achievement.
   

• Thesis Construction
• Coherence, Clarity, and Organization
• Documentation Processes
• Argumentative Structures

• The OWL at Purdue
• The ConocoPhillips Writing Center
• The WRITE Place
• Citation Machine