Writing/Consulting: Theory and Practice (Class E-mail)
Dr. Beth Rapp Young

Detailed Course Description

How many times has this happened to you: You're working hard, minding your own business, when suddenly a piece of paper is thrust under your nose. Or a voice breaks into your concentration, reciting complicated chunks of text. Inevitably, you are asked, "Well, what do you think? Does it flow?"

Responding to writing--if you do it well--involves much more than correcting grammar. It is a complicated activity involving analysis of rhetorical context, familiarity with genre conventions, an ability to take on different perspectives, and a solid grasp of grammar. All of this is complicated by the identity of the writer: you'll respond differently to a group than to an individual, differently to your boss than to your partner. If you have goals for the exchange, such as helping the writer become a better writer, the activity becomes more complex still. You may write well yourself--but you need to know more if you are collaborate successfully with another writer.

In this class, we will cover the basic factors involved in assessing writing. After we've addressed the text in isolation, we'll learn strategies for collaborating with the writer(s). We'll review useful heuristics for each stage of the writing process, and we'll supplement these mental tools with a knowledge of software tools (a computer can be more than just a fancy typewriter). We'll supplement all of this theoretical discussion with an exploration of writing in different disciplines, observation of consultations in the University Writing Center, and collaboration with others in the class.