How can I get my students to pay attention to style in their writing?

The MLA and APA have recently revised their style manuals, and it’s a good opportunity to talk with your students about the stylistic conventions that scholars in your field follow. On the one hand, these conventions are formal–citations of different kinds must be written in a specific format, and rules for specialized cases of usage must be obeyed. On the other, style can also be taught as a tool of writing that helps student develop their individual writing voices while they also learn how style embodies particular ways of thinking within a discipline. Because style often embodies scholarly and disciplinary values, it is important for students to understand its significance and feel comfortable making appropriate stylistic choices within their writing. Here are some approaches to addressing style with your students: (more…)

[From a workshop in 2008] Sponsored by Faculty and TA Development, Chris Manion and I conducted a workshop on how to effectively address grammar errors in student writing. Chris began the workshop by discussing the importance of teaching grammar in context. (more…)

In case you missed our grammar workshop last week (Grammar 101: Effectively Addressing Surface Errors in Student Writing), we’ll pass on several strategies that we discussed which can help you address surface level errors in student writing: (more…)

Thanks again to Judie Goff for inviting us to join the Office of Continuing Education at yesterday’s brownbag. I summarize our conversation, follow up on a few points, and give you some online resources I think you will find helpful. (more…)