FHSS Writing Lab: What Can It Do for You and Your Students?
Assistance in Creating Rubrics to Ease the Burden of Grading
For classes with multiple TAs, Joyce can help the TAs practice “norming” to encourage more comparable grades between TAs
In-class workshops on writing topics (creating a thesis, using evidence to support claims, citation styles, etc.)
Student Visits to the Writing Lab-- What Happens in the Lab?
Students will read their draft (or portions of it) out loud
Writing Advisors assist students by using the following methods; the advisor stops on the level where students require additional help
- help students determine whether the draft fully meets the prompt
- invite students to identify and explain their thesis or hypothesis or main claim
- suggest that students do a “reverse outline” of their draft to see if all paragraphs have a single main idea that clearly relates to the thesis
- encourage students to verify that claims are supported by evidence; no gaps
- assist students in identifying grammar and mechanical problems or patterns
- serve as a source to help with citation styles (APA, Turabian, ASA, MLA)
Who arethe advisors in the FHSS Writing Lab?
The advisors are social science undergraduate students. They have been chosen as staff members based on their writing experience and tutoring skills. Each advisor has an individual approach, but all have the same goal to help students better understand and enjoy the writing process.
How do I know which of my students attended the FHSS Writing Lab?
Professors will receive an email list of which students came to the Lab during the week. Students can also request a “golden ticket” to confirm their visit to the Lab.
How can I successfully motivate my students to bring a draft to the FHSS Writing Lab?
Professors who offer an incentive have a much higher percentage of students who bring a draft to the FHSS Writing Lab. Many professors make it part of the final paper grade (e.g. 5 points of the total assignment), some award a few extra credit points, and others simply promote the lab to their students as a good resource for students who would like help with their writing.
What should my students bring when they come to the FHSS Writing Lab?
To make the most of their visit to the Writing Lab, students should bring a copy of the assignment, a hard copy of their draft (in any stage), and an idea of what we can do to help.
What can the Writing Lab offer that my TAs can't?
Trained advisors offer an outsiders’ perspective. While TAs focus on course material, the Writing Lab helps students learn to apply and organize that material in their writing.Advisorsseek to help students improve the quality oftheirpaper and their overall writing ability.
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