Application

Writing Fellows/WID Program Faculty Application

Thank you for your interest in the Writing Fellows/WID Program here at MHU! The following information and definitions will be helpful to you in understanding the program and how it functions.

Writing Fellow: A carefully selected, highly trained, and deeply committed MHU student who works as a peer writing tutor in identified WID classes across campus. A Writing Fellow holds a professional position and is paid a stipend for his or her work as a peer writing tutor working in the classroom.

WID: Writing in the Disciplines—courses designed to emphasize “writing to learn” and “learning to write” in particular disciplines. WID courses provide faculty an opportunity to creatively re-approach their courses with an added emphasis on writing, no matter what discipline the WID course is part of. As part of all WID courses, Writing Fellows are assigned to assist in supporting the writing component of the course. Writing Fellows provide support to faculty as well as to students in the class.

How the Program Works

In general, a WID course using Writing Fellows will be a course constructed with a heavy emphasis on writing. Each WID identified course will be assigned a Writing Fellow, who is responsible for working with 12-15 students (if the course is larger, two Writing Fellows will be assigned) on two major writing assignments that the participating faculty member has integrated into the course. Two weeks prior to each due date, the Fellow will collect papers, write comments intended to help students with revision, and conference with each student. The professor will then receive both drafts—the one with comments and the revision—on the designated due date. Rationale: When students have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a writing professional and have built-in writing revision requirements, writing improves, understanding of course content improves, and professor receives writing assignments that are of a higher quality than assignments might otherwise be not having gone through the conferencing-revision process.

Faculty expectations:

  1. Participate in WID workshops that will help prepare and support participating faculty
  2. Apply for Writing Fellow, and upon assignment, develop rapport with Fellow as an assistant
  3. Include information about WID/Writing Fellows Program in syllabus and course policies
  4. Prepare two meaningful, clearly articulated writing assignments that all students in class are required to participate in
  5. Establish clear due dates, guidelines, etc., with students and with Fellow, and help in the exchange of papers and in the scheduling (when necessary) of peer conferences
  6. Meet with Writing Fellow as necessary to clarify assignment goals, special requirements, etc.
  7. Complete final assessment of program at semester’s end
  8. Meet with WID Program Director for questions, concerns, insights, achievements!

Writing Fellows expectations:

  1. Enroll in and complete both one-hour training courses, ENG262-Peer Collaboration in Writing and ENG263-Peer Collaboration across Disciplines
  2. Work with assigned faculty to understand course goals, writing assignments, and in general establish professional working rapport
  3. Work closely, exclusively, and committedly with a group of 12-15 students in one particular class for the entire semester
  4. Collect first drafts of writing assignments and mark them for revision considerations
  5. Schedule appointments with each student, and meet with each student to discuss first drafts and suggestions for revision
  6. Keep records for all papers and students that are shared with professor when necessary
  7. Consult with WID Program Director for questions, concerns, insights, achievements!

A word about what Writing Fellows are not expected to do:

  1. Grade papers or conduct class
  2. Be experts in the disciplinary field for which they are conducting peer tutoring
  3. Attend class meetings, except occasionally as requested by faculty for introductions, clarification of writing assignments, etc.
  4. Be responsible for degree of revision students undertake after paper feedback and peer tutor conference; i.e., Writing Fellows are not intended to serve as proofreaders or as a guarantee of a high grade

Both WID Faculty and Writing Fellows are compensated for their participation in the program.