Helping College Students Write: A Guide for Educators

by Laura M. Harrison, Becky Challenger, Erin Morgenstern, Oumarou Abdoulaye Balarabe

Overview

Although many educators want to help their students overcome their writing challenges, most higher education instructors do not have formal training in teaching writing. This book provides a detailed roadmap for college educators to help students make substantial improvements in their writing, particularly in courses where writing is a component, but not the primary focus.

This accessible guide offers conceptual tools and practical strategies, including lesson plans, stock comments instructors can use to explain frequently occurring writing problems, and writing prompts to help struggling students address writer’s block. Covering topics such as managing grading time, reducing students’ anxiety about writing, giving clear and formative feedback, troubleshooting, and providing practical tips for helping ESL students, this book is a one-stop shop for assisting students across academic disciplines.

By implementing the guidance offered in this manual, college and university faculty and instructors can guide students effectively and efficiently in improving their writing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040095225
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/01/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Laura M. Harrison is a professor in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at Ohio University, USA.

Becky Challenger is Professor of Instruction, Academic Coordinator, and Assistant Director for the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE) at Ohio University, USA.

Erin Morgenstern is Assistant to the Vice President for Priority Projects and teaches in the higher education and student affairs graduate programs at Ohio University, USA.

Oumarou Abdoulaye Balarabe is a graduate assistant and teaching assistant in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at Ohio University, where he is a doctoral candidate in higher education and student affairs.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Dr. Peter Mwangi

Preface

Acknowledgements

Part 1: Helping Students with Academic Writing

Chapter 1: Setting Students Up For Success

Chapter 2: Giving Solid Feedback

Chapter 3: Troubleshooting

Chapter 4: Developing a Writing Course

Part 2: Helping Specific Populations with Writing

Chapter 5: Helping ESL Students with Academic Writing

Chapter 6: Accessible Writing Pedagogy

Chapter 7: Professional Writing Matters

Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

"This is a very special and important book, told from a perfect blend of professional and personal perspectives. Instructor and student voices offer the reader very practical and sympathetic paths towards fostering quality writing experiences. Writing is approached as a mindset and a means of connection-making. Anyone whose teaching involves academic writing will benefit from this one-of-a-kind resource."

Bob Klein, Professor and Chair of Teaching, Learning, and Foundations, Eastern Illinois University

"Chocked full of effective writing strategies and teaching approaches for college students across disciplines, this book offers a journey of self-reflection, composition literacy, and growth mindset to discover the writer within our students, as well as ourselves. As an instructor of first-year writing for over 25 years, I highly recommend this book for helping students develop confidence in writing and reading. Writing in prose that is personal and engaging, the author gives language to the roadblocks and break-throughs all writers experience."

Robyn Lyons-Robinson, Professor and Chair, English Department, Columbus State Community College

"This is a book that should be read by all faculty regardless of discipline. We have all encountered the challenges in student writing, with the proclivity to assign fault to a lack of college preparedness, covid or other issues, rather than view students through the lens of the new majority. Harrison and colleagues seamlessly combine proven and constructive practical advice with well researched pedagogy, making it a comprehensive and engaging resource to assist all students to become better writers. Indeed, I would make this book required reading for all new faculty to help them start their careers in academia on the right foot."

Donal C. Skinner, Dean of Hobson Wildenthal Honors College, The University of Texas at Dallas

From the Publisher