2008 Woodie Awards
Writing Outreach boosts student learning
April Kelso
Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
The department of English at the University of South Alabama is sponsoring free-of-charge sessions through the Writing Outreach program that began at the beginning of February.
On Feb. 28, they will host "Writing about Literature: Guidelines on how to Write Effectively about Literature Exams and Papers" at 3:30 p.m.
The sessions are for people who want to learn more about and improve their writing skills. There is no registration requirement or commitment to the program.
Jenny Wilkins, a senior at USA, went to one of the sessions her sophomore year to understand MLA format for her literature class.
"It was very helpful and made me feel more positive about turning my papers in," Wilkins said.
The program started in 2001 by Teresa Grettano, according to Dr. Nicole Amare, assistant professor in the English department.
"Teresa started it because she wanted USA students in English 101 and 102 to receive extra help for their writing," Amare said. "We can only teach so much in the class to 26 students, and we needed a venue to cover grammar, style and MLA concerns more fully."
When Grettano first presented the idea to Dr. Larry Beason, associate professor in the English department and the composition director, in 2001, he suggested that she include the community since it was a free program, and the community also may want writing help.
"We've had about 30 percent community participation," Amare said.
There has been a 95 percent positive rating from the participants every year.
"We also have received positive feedback from other faculty who say their students have gone to Writing Outreach and have improved," Amare said.
The Writing Outreach is run completely by volunteers, including the coordinators and assistant coordinators.
"We are trying night sessions for the first time this semester so that evening students also have an opportunity to attend," Amare said. "Many evening students work during the day and can't make the afternoon Writing Outreach sessions."
According to Amare, the lowest number of participants at a session was five. The highest number has been 77.
"Every week, anyone has a chance to attend our 45-minute session at no cost and learn better grammar or style or about to write an effective argument," Amare said. "Our faculty are experienced teachers and are willing to help everyone."
"I am honored to be part of Writing Outreach. We do truly try to reach out to all participants," Amare said.
Grettano and Amare are the authors of a published scholarly article titled "Writing Outreach as Community Engagement."
"We wanted to share with other colleagues in our field about this program as an alternative yet effective way to connect students, faculty and the community via service learning," Amare said.
To find out more about the program and the sessions that are offered, visit their Web site at http://www.usouthal.edu/english/student/outreach.htm.
On Feb. 28, they will host "Writing about Literature: Guidelines on how to Write Effectively about Literature Exams and Papers" at 3:30 p.m.
The sessions are for people who want to learn more about and improve their writing skills. There is no registration requirement or commitment to the program.
Jenny Wilkins, a senior at USA, went to one of the sessions her sophomore year to understand MLA format for her literature class.
"It was very helpful and made me feel more positive about turning my papers in," Wilkins said.
The program started in 2001 by Teresa Grettano, according to Dr. Nicole Amare, assistant professor in the English department.
"Teresa started it because she wanted USA students in English 101 and 102 to receive extra help for their writing," Amare said. "We can only teach so much in the class to 26 students, and we needed a venue to cover grammar, style and MLA concerns more fully."
When Grettano first presented the idea to Dr. Larry Beason, associate professor in the English department and the composition director, in 2001, he suggested that she include the community since it was a free program, and the community also may want writing help.
"We've had about 30 percent community participation," Amare said.
There has been a 95 percent positive rating from the participants every year.
"We also have received positive feedback from other faculty who say their students have gone to Writing Outreach and have improved," Amare said.
The Writing Outreach is run completely by volunteers, including the coordinators and assistant coordinators.
"We are trying night sessions for the first time this semester so that evening students also have an opportunity to attend," Amare said. "Many evening students work during the day and can't make the afternoon Writing Outreach sessions."
According to Amare, the lowest number of participants at a session was five. The highest number has been 77.
"Every week, anyone has a chance to attend our 45-minute session at no cost and learn better grammar or style or about to write an effective argument," Amare said. "Our faculty are experienced teachers and are willing to help everyone."
"I am honored to be part of Writing Outreach. We do truly try to reach out to all participants," Amare said.
Grettano and Amare are the authors of a published scholarly article titled "Writing Outreach as Community Engagement."
"We wanted to share with other colleagues in our field about this program as an alternative yet effective way to connect students, faculty and the community via service learning," Amare said.
To find out more about the program and the sessions that are offered, visit their Web site at http://www.usouthal.edu/english/student/outreach.htm.
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