Writing Assignments

You can find the materials on writing assignments from the December Faculty Development Workshop here: http://snlwriting.pbworks.com/Lots-of-Ideas-for-Writing-Assignments#WritinganAssignment

Got great papers?

As you finish up your grading, be sure to invite students who have written stellar papers to submit their work to the Writing Showcase (http://snl.depaul.edu/writing/WritingShowcase.html).

Students Respond to Teacher Comments

Interviewers analyzed teacher comments and asked students at Frenso State University how they understand teacher comments, how they respond to teacher comments, what they think of peer comments, if they think race or gender influence they comments they receive, and which teacher comments they found most and least helpful.

DePaul University Writing Center Final Exam Hours

DePaul University Writing Center Final Exam Hours:

Writers, please note our deadlines and PLAN AHEAD!

LAST DAY of regular operations:  Tuesday, November 17, 2009 (the last day of classes)

LAST DAY to request Feedback by Email:  Thursday, November 19 (the second day of finals) – Due to the extremely high volume of requests, turnaround currently is 5-6 business days.

EXAM WEEK SERVICES, Wednesday, November 18 through Saturday, November 21:

LPC & Loop Offices:  Wednesday, November 18:  10:00 am to 5:00 pm

LPC & Loop Offices:  Thursday, November 19: 10:00 – 8:00

LPC & Loop Offices:  Friday, November 20:  10:00 am - 5:00 pm

LPC ONLY: Saturday, November 21:  11:00 am – 4:00 pm

LPC Library Outpost Hours, Richardson library Reference Desk area:  Friday 11:00 – 3:00

APPOINTMENTS:

We must limit appointments during finals week, due to the volume of requests: 

You may schedule only ONE appointment in advance (http://condor.depaul.edu/~writing/html/sched/WCOnline.html). 

Subsequent visits can be made on a walk-in basis only.

If our online schedule looks completely booked, please know that we will have extra tutors on hand to accommodate walk-in visitors. 

The Writing Center will be closed after 4 pm Saturday, November 21.  The offices will reopen January 11, 2010.

Best wishes for a successful end to the quarter.  We appreciate your continued interest and support!

University Center for Writing-based Learning

Writing Center Office Locations:
Lincoln Park Campus Office: 250 McGaw Hall
802 W. Belden, Chicago IL  60614  773.325.4272
Chicago Loop Campus Office: 1600 Lewis Center
25 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago IL  60604  312.362.6726
Email: wcenter@depaul.edu
Web:  http://www.depaul.edu/writing

Using WIMBA for an online writing workshop

If your online class requires writing and you want to help your students be better writers, you don't have to tackle the issue alone. Last Sunday in slightly more than an hour in the WIMBA classroom of my current class, Michelle Navarre Cleary held an informative, interactive mini workshop on writing strong essays.

The workshop was optional for students and for those who could not attend, it was archived so that they could review it at a convenient time. Michelle crafted the content to address particular issues from the first and second essays in the class and then used actual student papers (the students volunteered to have them used anonymously) to show examples of things done well, almost well and needing attention. She provided links to helpful resources as well.

In the session itself she took questions on the fly and really personalized the information provided to meet the needs of the students. And this was done while there were still several essays to submit so that the students would have the opportunity to improve their class work right away. In fact, I've just received the next group of papers so I can't wait to see how her ideas have been incorporated.

I'm glad I invited Michelle to do this workshop and plan to make it a part of every class from now on.

Helping your students understand what you mean by an essay

"Write an essay on . . . ." While this may seem like a simple request, many of our students have no idea what we mean by an essay. You can help them out by pointing them to this "Quick Guide to the 'Traditional Academic' Essay" from Elizabeth Coughlin, Assistant Director for the DePaul University Writing Center:  http://condor.depaul.edu/~writing/html/stud/planning/quick.html 

Morning and Afternoon Saturday Writing Groups now at Naperville

The Writing Center is leading morning (10:30 to noon) and afternoon (12:30 to 2:00) Writing Groups on Saturdays at the Naperville Campus. To learn more about these Writing Groups, see http://condor.depaul.edu/~writing/html/sched/suburbs.html