Humanities Teachers Take Time to Revise Papers in Writing Center

The Writing Center began as a pilot program last fall created by English Instructor Alex Myers. The program pairs volunteering History and English instructors with students to help students develop their papers under the leadership of Myers.

It felt like there was a real need to help students with their writing—to provide a space where they could get some feedback and suggestions not only to help with a single assignment but also to build writing skills and to help students learn to improve their writing process.”

English Instructors Myers, Duncan Holcomb, Wei-Ling Woo, Patricia Burke and Christina Breen as well as History Instructors Aykut Kilinc and Betty Luther-Hillman staff the Writing Center. Students who would like to meet with a teacher outside of class can email Myers to arrange an appointment with one of the seven faculty members. Myers said that appointments are usually one-on-one and last about a half-hour.

Before last year, Myers’s idea for a place to improve student writing did not exist at Exeter. “It felt like there was a real need to help students with their writing—to provide a space where they could get some feedback and suggestions not only to help with a single assignment but also to build writing skills and to help students learn to improve their writing process,” he said.

Holcomb said that this year he was pleased to see newer students who have not written very many personal narratives use the Writing Center more frequently.  “That’s good because that’s their learning curve when they haven’t had the background of their prep year to learn about writing narratives and descriptive prose,” he said.

Myers said that writing centers are prevalent around the country and are helpful to all students regardless of  their experience or age. “I’ve worked at college writing centers where students are working on writing that ranges from lab reports to master’s theses, from comp. assignments to stories that are being prepared for publication.”

Myers’s previous experiences shaped the diverse range of writing that the teachers at the Writing Center work with. “English, history, religion, college essays. . . If it is writing, we are happy to work with you on it,” Myers said, adding that students can bring in drafts, outlines or prompts to receive help.

Senior Michael Bamah, who says he occasionally uses the Writing Center, finds that the Writing Center helps him to build the foundation of his papers. “Whenever I [use the Writing Center], there is much [more] clarity afterwards on the direction of my writing piece,” Bamah said.

Kilinc said that teachers have a structured schedule dictating which nights they help students. “If you make an appointment on Sunday evening—which is my night— regardless of what writing you are doing, then we would meet and go over your paper,” he said. “That being said, I think Myers helps match history papers to history teachers and English papers to English teachers.”

Nevertheless, Kilinc believes that there are some subtle difference between English and history papers, but they are fairly similar. “In history, we are more systematic, more evidence-based or thesis-based, so sometimes I cannot really gauge what else an English paper may need,” he said. “For the most part, when you read the paper, you can differentiate a good paper from a rather weak draft.”

English Instructor Wei-Ling Woo agreed. Woo said that when reviewing for a subject that she does not teach, she can “can comment on the writing itself” or “discuss the clarity of the student’s thesis statement.” She makes it clear that she may not be able to help with all the technical aspects of a history paper, such as footnotes, or comment on specific content. “Good writing is good writing, no matter whether it’s for History, English or a college essay,” she said.

Senior Molly Canfield utilized the Writing Center while struggling to write a history paper last winter and discussed her paper with English instructor Michelle Dionne. “I had been having a really difficult time organizing my thoughts for the paper, and she talked it through with me and helped me streamline my ideas,” Canfield said.

Holcomb thinks the crossover between English and history—like in Canfield’s case—can even be beneficial at times.  “You get a different point of view and different ideas from some other people, and we also learn a little bit about what the other department is doing,” he said. “I think a little cross-pollination there is helpful.”

The writing center has consistently grown in size since its pilot last year, with, according to Myers, with 63 appointments this September alone. Kilinc says that “rather new students, regardless of their class, lowerclassmen and international students tend to take advantage of the Writing Center more than other students,” he said. “New students, I think, want to get a sense of what is expected of them, so the Writing Center has been quite helpful to acclimate these students into our writing culture.”

“We have repeat customers, so that indicates that they are happy with the service… and teachers also say that they think the center has had a positive effect,” Myers said.

Senior Emmett Shell is one of those “repeat customers,” who estimates he has seen teachers from the Writing Center at least twenty times. “Such a large part of the Exeter education is writing and learning how to write, and although we hone our techniques in class it’s still quite valuable to get more help on any piece,” he said. “Not only has going to the writing center helped each individual piece I turn in, but it’s helped me become a better writer in all my work.” 

Canfield said that she would recommend the Writing Center to other students because of how productive her session was. “It’s amazing talking to someone who has so much experience and can offer you real advice,” she said.

Holcomb will also often refer students in his classes to the Writing Center. “I try to encourage some of those students that are struggling, why not do that? Come on in, it’s free, and someone’s going to help you write an essay,” he said.

Shell shared Holcomb’s sentiment. “We can all become better writers, and the resource of a skilled faculty member willing to spend half an hour with us for free is the type of thing one would only find at Exeter.”