Teaching First Year Writing
I teach First Year Writing at the University of Minnesota and believe that the first year of a student's college life (when most students take my class) is the most important opportunity for an instructor to impact these students perception of writing. My teaching is informed by feminist and anti-racist pedagogies and the theories put forward by luminaries bell hooks and Paulo Freire.
WRIT 1301
Statement on Writing in the Classroom
Adapted from the CCCC Statement Students' Right to Their Own Language
I affirm my students' right to their own patterns and varieties of language -- the dialects of their nurture or whatever dialects in which they find their own identity and style.
Often, academia and the powers that be support the myth of a standard American dialect that lords over the others as the only appropriate form of professional writing. The claim that any one dialect is unacceptable amounts to an attempt of one social group to exert its dominance over another, which I do not support. Such a claim leads to false advice for speakers and writers, and immoral advice for humans. I affirm strongly that teachers must have the experiences and training that will enable them to respect diversity and uphold the right of students to their own language.
Because of this, I encourage not just my students, but anyone, to write as they come. Writing is a manifestation of the voice in your head and your heart. What is important is clarity, communication, and flexibility.
"We are Us"
Be aware you may not understand another person's writing or experience, and be kind when asking for clarification.
"A unified “we” cannot accurately account for the range of differences we embody due to our different personal backgrounds and experiences and
how those are read onto us."
-Performing Antiracist Pedagogy
Creative Writing
Creative writing is, and always will be, tough for a lot of people. It encourages us to look inwards and bring stuff out of thin air. But the best way to approach it is from where you are in the story you're telling. Then, you fill in the blanks and things begin to come to life.
And don't forget: all first drafts are shit
Student Success
I'm committed to you feeling successful as a writer; whether that is for creative disciplines, academic, personal, or journalistic. Writing will come up in your life and you CAN be good at it.
Academic Writing
Academic writing often forces us to confirm to discursive norms we aren't familiar with. The good thing is, there's formulas. Even better, you often have so many drafts, and so many extra eyes on your writing that you're never really alone. Your writing will develop as you practice, so be patient with yourself, pick a formula, and work from there.
And don't forget: all first drafts are shit
Learning and Unlearning
Ourselves and our writing are always in construction. 🚧
We are always learning and unlearning forms of discourse; this means that language changes and there is no language inherently better than another.
Professional Writing
In the real world it is often less important what you say than it is how you say it. Clarity is the most important element of writing in any form, but especially when they're real people and real things at stake.
So ask yourself: Could I be more clear? What questions might this writing bring up for a reader and how can I answer it before they have to ask?
And don't forget..... you know the rest