Building a Writing Assignment: Four-Part Faculty Workshop

Are you looking for expert assistance in how you plan and construct your writing prompts as well as how you evaluate and respond to your students’ writing? Join English professor Dr. Debra Journet for this four-part writing workshop as she shares resources, tools, and key readings. Participants will gain support and guidance though discussion of example prompts, student writing, and instructor responses.

• Session 1:
  Constructing the Prompt and Planning the Activities in the Assignment
  November 5 - Ekstrom Library, Room W210

  Preparing for Session 1:

  • Reading: “This Was an Easy Assignment.” Jennie Nelson. [PDF]
  • Bring to session: An example of writing assignment from a class you are currently teaching or have recently taught.

  Session 1

  • Discuss Nelson.
  • Discuss handout “Things to Consider when Constructing Writing Assignments.”
  • Share writing assignments and discuss what instructor hoped writing assignment would achieve.
• Session 2:
  Evaluating the Prompt and the Activities
  November 12 - Ekstrom Library, Room W210

  Preparing for Session 2:

  • Reading: "A Genre Approach to Writing Assignments." Irene Clark.
  • Bring to session: Two examples of student writing that —one successfully, another less successfully—responded to prompt.

  Session 2:

  • Discuss Clark.
  • Discuss student writing samples in response to the prompt and activities. What were the productive cues or activities? What were roadblocks for students? How could the prompt be revised to make goals and criteria for assessment clearer? How could supporting activities be enhanced or changed?
• Session 3:
  Responding to Student Writing
  November 19 - Ekstrom Library, Room W204

  Preparing for Session 3:

  • Reading: "Across the Drafts." Nancy Sommers [PDF]
  • Bring to session instructor comments on student writing samples.

  Session 3:

  • Discuss Sommers.
  • Discuss handout “Things to Consider When Responding to Student Writing.”
  • Discuss instructor comments. Which comments were productive? Which could be improved? Is there opportunity for revision? If so, how does that affect instructor comments?
• Session 4:
  Planning a Writing Assignment
  December 3 - Ekstrom Library, Room W210

  Preparing for Session 4.

  • Reading: “The Complexities of Responding to Student Writing; or, Looking for Shortcuts via the Road of Excess.” Richard Haswell.
  • Bring to session a writing assignment for next semester including prompt and anticipated activities.

  Session 4.

  • Discuss Haswell.
  • Share writing assignments and solicit suggestions.
  • Complete assessment of workshop.

Presenter Bio

Debra Journet joined the English Department at UofL in 1988 and served as department chair for many years. She helped move the College and university forward by serving on a number of key policy-shaping committees over the past two decades. At any point during the last few years, Debra was likely directing 8-12 Ph.D. dissertations while serving on an equal number of committees. Professor Journet’s service to her profession displays the same impressive level of engagement, most notably her service on the Executive Committee of the Conference on College Composition and Communication. Recognition of her work includes appointments as an NEH Fellow and as a Fulbright Senior Specialist. In addition, she received two National Council for the Teaching of English Awards for Excellence in Technical and Scientific Communication.