What You Need to Know about

the Auburn Writing Initiative 2012

Office of University Writing

Dr. Margaret J. Marshall, Director

OVERVIEW

A Bit of History

Curriculum Mandate

Office of University Writing: Our Mission

Why Writing?

Alumni say good writing most important for

success

Auburn students report they write much less than

peers

Why Writing?

Writing Initiative Task Force

Faculty Committee 2 years Final recommendations:

Hire Director to lead initiative

Embed writing in every major

Expand Writing Center

Decision: Office of University Writing

www.auburn.edu/writing

How is Auburn’s writing initiative different?

Embedded not added on

Writing, broadly defined

Determined by department

Continuous improvement

Comprehensive and multi-dimensional effort

Approved Senate Resolution

Significant writing instruction in every major

Designed to meet the needs of the discipline

Follow principles of writing in the major

Periodic review and continued improvement

5 Principles forWriting in Majors

Assessment of the plan

Feedback and opportunities to revise

More than one audience/purpose

More than one opportunity to practice

More than one kind of writing

Writing Plans

https://fp.auburn.edu/writing/constructingPlan.aspx

What Kind of Writing?Academic Arguments

Lab Reports

Business Memos

Letters and emails to clients

Explanations to patients

Summaries of reading

Writing for the public

Liner notes

What Kind of Writing?Study Abroad

Internships

Out of class

Research Projects

Letters and Applications

Illustrated Writing

Field Work

Organizations

Blogs

Support for Faculty

www.auburn.edu/writing/faculty

Support to Students

Celebrate and Promote Writing

Profiles Writing Contests AUJUS

COMING NEXTQEP: Professional ePortfolios

Websites created by individuals to: Synthesize learning experiences

Showcase skills and abilities

OUW Enhance the Culture of Writing

Support to Students

Support to Faculty

Celebrate and Promote Writing

Research and Assessment

Outreach

Questions?