If nothing else, I can bring the ability to bridge the gap between academia and Appalachia. With my maternal grandparents being from the hills, and my father's family coming from farming communities, I have always maintained two sets of vocabulary that I regularly work from on a daily basis. This allows me to speak with students whose word pool could be on the smaller side, and help them expand their choices or explain what a professor is looking for in a paper.
I have no hangups about race, religion, gender, or sexual preference. I suppose this could be a good thing, as there aren't many subjects that would offend me or make my job more difficult.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Yay, Diversity!
I love diversity. I encourage as much of it around me as possible. Most of my life experience, as well as my experience with diverse individuals, comes from my time at the paper. Working in journalism puts you in a position where you must be unbiased and fair to everyone reading what you print, no matter what your personal feelings are or how well you can relate to your constituents.
I've worked with both powerful men and women, from all nationalities. But even though tolerance for diversity was necessary in my job, I was still catering to a primarily white, low-to-middle-class community. Most of our subscribers fit into those categories. However, when you print the news, you know that the information you produce is typically sent out into a vacuum, and you don't get feedback unless you did something wrong. While I was producing news for a certain audience, I had to be constantly aware of offending someone outside of the targeted community.
I plan to use this experience with diversity in my job here at the Writing Center. Hopefully, I can be more tuned in to my tutees' needs and personal convictions without allowing my own to come into play.
I've worked with both powerful men and women, from all nationalities. But even though tolerance for diversity was necessary in my job, I was still catering to a primarily white, low-to-middle-class community. Most of our subscribers fit into those categories. However, when you print the news, you know that the information you produce is typically sent out into a vacuum, and you don't get feedback unless you did something wrong. While I was producing news for a certain audience, I had to be constantly aware of offending someone outside of the targeted community.
I plan to use this experience with diversity in my job here at the Writing Center. Hopefully, I can be more tuned in to my tutees' needs and personal convictions without allowing my own to come into play.
Day Three: Wrapping Up
Hopefully we have discussed several ways for you to approach your first tutoring session next week, and please remember that we are always here for additional questions and concerns that may arise!
This morning, we spoke briefly about those whom we admire and those who annoy us--what do these quirks reveal about ourselves? How might our own feelings and attitudes effect the ways in which we tutor?
For your last blogging assignment this week, I'd like for you to consider what experiences with diversity that you can bring to your work at OU-C Writing Center. Remember to consider lots of ways people are different: age, race, gender, abilities, geography, class, religion, sexual orientation, etc.
This morning, we spoke briefly about those whom we admire and those who annoy us--what do these quirks reveal about ourselves? How might our own feelings and attitudes effect the ways in which we tutor?
For your last blogging assignment this week, I'd like for you to consider what experiences with diversity that you can bring to your work at OU-C Writing Center. Remember to consider lots of ways people are different: age, race, gender, abilities, geography, class, religion, sexual orientation, etc.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
History made fun.
My favorite writing assignment was in a humanities class. I was told to describe a way to make learning fun. I choose to write about lesson I had personally experienced.
In middle school I had a teacher that deviated completely from the books for an entire chapter. It was Athens vs. Sparta. The class was split in two and each became a member of one of the cities. Each individual was given a job and assignments to be done throughout the week.
At the end of the week the two cities came together and had an Olympics. Athens won all of the first day's events since they were all recite this, or what is that, and our teacher told us that our grade was based on how well we did. Sparta was mad.They had not been told to memorize anything. The next day they were told to show Athens their war plan. They were allowed to take out their anger that way.
This was a smart way of submerging the class in history. We recreated what happened, and this way we understood why it happened. I've never forgot that class. Oh and by the way, everyone received an A for that week.
Personal experience always makes writing more fun as well as liking what you are writing about. The assignment was specific enough to give direction, yet broad enough not to constrict or dictate what to write.
In middle school I had a teacher that deviated completely from the books for an entire chapter. It was Athens vs. Sparta. The class was split in two and each became a member of one of the cities. Each individual was given a job and assignments to be done throughout the week.
At the end of the week the two cities came together and had an Olympics. Athens won all of the first day's events since they were all recite this, or what is that, and our teacher told us that our grade was based on how well we did. Sparta was mad.They had not been told to memorize anything. The next day they were told to show Athens their war plan. They were allowed to take out their anger that way.
This was a smart way of submerging the class in history. We recreated what happened, and this way we understood why it happened. I've never forgot that class. Oh and by the way, everyone received an A for that week.
Personal experience always makes writing more fun as well as liking what you are writing about. The assignment was specific enough to give direction, yet broad enough not to constrict or dictate what to write.
learning to write
My best writing expirernce?.....umm...trying to think...go it!
In eng 151 the first assignment is a personal narritave. Always. We had a brainstorming session in class and it became apparent that everyone was writng about similar topics. I don't know if anyone else noticed that all were apeaking if writng on their parents (or thier) divorce, giving birth, or the death of a close friend or family member. While most of those expierences applied to me, I decided I had to write about something different.
While getting dressed the next day, and lamenting the clothes in my closet that I can no longer wear, I realized I had a topic. I could write about why my shirts no longer fit; my breast reduction!
I re-wrote that paper six times before turning it in. Then it was suggested I submit the paper to the Women's Studies literary journal. Which meant more re-writesas the word count was different. It is easy for me to make suggestions to someone else's paper of what to remove. The words aren't mine, so it dosen't matter whcihc ones go and which ones stay.
I stared at my computer for hours decided what part of my story was going to have to leave. The deadline was midnight for submission. the third page, half of the opening paragraph and most of my conclusion were deleted into cyberspace. The next day, i was told my story would be prinited int he journal. The late night was worth it.
Re-writing sucks, as I am so tired of that piece I cannot even think of it without wanting to adjusting more to the final version. This was not the most enjoyable expierence I have ever had, but it was the one that taught me the most about how to write. That is significant.
Oh, and learning to spell my name in cursive was wonderful. but i don't think that is the type of writing we are blogging about.
In eng 151 the first assignment is a personal narritave. Always. We had a brainstorming session in class and it became apparent that everyone was writng about similar topics. I don't know if anyone else noticed that all were apeaking if writng on their parents (or thier) divorce, giving birth, or the death of a close friend or family member. While most of those expierences applied to me, I decided I had to write about something different.
While getting dressed the next day, and lamenting the clothes in my closet that I can no longer wear, I realized I had a topic. I could write about why my shirts no longer fit; my breast reduction!
I re-wrote that paper six times before turning it in. Then it was suggested I submit the paper to the Women's Studies literary journal. Which meant more re-writesas the word count was different. It is easy for me to make suggestions to someone else's paper of what to remove. The words aren't mine, so it dosen't matter whcihc ones go and which ones stay.
I stared at my computer for hours decided what part of my story was going to have to leave. The deadline was midnight for submission. the third page, half of the opening paragraph and most of my conclusion were deleted into cyberspace. The next day, i was told my story would be prinited int he journal. The late night was worth it.
Re-writing sucks, as I am so tired of that piece I cannot even think of it without wanting to adjusting more to the final version. This was not the most enjoyable expierence I have ever had, but it was the one that taught me the most about how to write. That is significant.
Oh, and learning to spell my name in cursive was wonderful. but i don't think that is the type of writing we are blogging about.
Fight the Power
When I heard the words 15 to 20 page research paper I contemplated dropping the class. I saw many others leaving for break and never returning. I knew the class was required so I just bit the bullet and plodded along. The professor allowed us to choose our own topic and it was to be an argumentative research paper with at least 10 sources.
My topic was re-opening civil-rights-era murder cases to make up for the severe lack of prosecution during that time period. I new I would have a unique topic and one in which that I was interested. The professor kept trying to get me to change my stance, but I wouldn't budge. I was quite proud of myself when I received an A- on the paper along with his comments that I didn't take any of his suggestions. This just proves that if you fight your side and are able to amply back it up a GOOD professor should stand behind you and your work!
My topic was re-opening civil-rights-era murder cases to make up for the severe lack of prosecution during that time period. I new I would have a unique topic and one in which that I was interested. The professor kept trying to get me to change my stance, but I wouldn't budge. I was quite proud of myself when I received an A- on the paper along with his comments that I didn't take any of his suggestions. This just proves that if you fight your side and are able to amply back it up a GOOD professor should stand behind you and your work!
My Favorite Paper
Deb asks, "What makes good writing?"
A couple quarters ago, I had the pleasure of taking Lisa Wallace's Intro to Women's Studies course. For our portfolio, we were assigned a three-to-five page paper that reflected upon a topic that we had discussed. The topic was to be one that was personally interesting to us. During the course, we had distributed surveys to gague peoples' reactions to Hillary Clinton running as potentially the first female president of our country. Because we had focused on Clinton and her influence on women today, I chose to write my opinion on the issue.
My paper was an argumentative one. I wrote it before the primary election, when emotions were flying between Clinton and Obama. I made my case for Obama as my candidate of choice, citing that I think Clinton is not necessarily the heroine women today need. I called her out for trying to be too much like a rich white man, and for backpedaling on issues that could actually improve women's lives.
I won't get into specifics here, because politics isn't the point. The point is that I had a fabulous time writing the essay because I was so immersed in the subject. I think that is the one boundary that writers must overcome above all else: You have to find a topic that interests you, that lights a fire under your butt, to produce a great piece. I got an A on the paper and would've been happy with almost any grade, just because I had so much fun writing it.
A couple quarters ago, I had the pleasure of taking Lisa Wallace's Intro to Women's Studies course. For our portfolio, we were assigned a three-to-five page paper that reflected upon a topic that we had discussed. The topic was to be one that was personally interesting to us. During the course, we had distributed surveys to gague peoples' reactions to Hillary Clinton running as potentially the first female president of our country. Because we had focused on Clinton and her influence on women today, I chose to write my opinion on the issue.
My paper was an argumentative one. I wrote it before the primary election, when emotions were flying between Clinton and Obama. I made my case for Obama as my candidate of choice, citing that I think Clinton is not necessarily the heroine women today need. I called her out for trying to be too much like a rich white man, and for backpedaling on issues that could actually improve women's lives.
I won't get into specifics here, because politics isn't the point. The point is that I had a fabulous time writing the essay because I was so immersed in the subject. I think that is the one boundary that writers must overcome above all else: You have to find a topic that interests you, that lights a fire under your butt, to produce a great piece. I got an A on the paper and would've been happy with almost any grade, just because I had so much fun writing it.
Best Writing Ever! ;)
At the beginning of spring quarter of my sophomore year, a professor approached me about writing a paper to present at an academic conference. The topic? Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the television program, not the movie). Being an obsessed fan from the pilot episode to the end of season seven, I eagerly accepted. . . And then spent weeks agonizing over exactly what to focus on and how to get everything I needed out of the subject.
While many prefer to look at Buffy as nothing more than supernatural soap opera, those of us who analyze and pay attention know better. Focusing on the character of Spike, I went on to discuss his changing style of masculinity within the confines of the show, his personal hero's journey, and how he grows as a person throughout the seasonal story arches. Spike, formally William the Bloody, formally William-the-bloody-awful-poet, styles himself in the way that he thinks men ought to behave through his interactions with the world and those around him.
Presenting the paper in Greensboro, NC, on a rainy late spring day in June frightened me, but also gave me the confidence to know that I can do that again. Besides, presenting a paper at a conference reserved for mostly masters students and those with PhDs looks quite impressive on a resume.
While many prefer to look at Buffy as nothing more than supernatural soap opera, those of us who analyze and pay attention know better. Focusing on the character of Spike, I went on to discuss his changing style of masculinity within the confines of the show, his personal hero's journey, and how he grows as a person throughout the seasonal story arches. Spike, formally William the Bloody, formally William-the-bloody-awful-poet, styles himself in the way that he thinks men ought to behave through his interactions with the world and those around him.
Presenting the paper in Greensboro, NC, on a rainy late spring day in June frightened me, but also gave me the confidence to know that I can do that again. Besides, presenting a paper at a conference reserved for mostly masters students and those with PhDs looks quite impressive on a resume.
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