Program Overview

The Writing Fellows Program

The Writing Fellows program is designed to support instructors in incorporating drafting and revising into their writing assignments. The program assigns peer writing tutors, known as Writing Fellows, to work with instructors and their students to provide writing support from brainstorming topics to detailed feedback on paper drafts.

About The Writing Fellows Program

The Writing Fellows program aims to make writing in courses more authentic, social, and iterative. Students who work with Writing Fellows make substantive and meaningful revisions on their drafts before submitting them for a final grade. The program supports instructors in their effort to create a more authentic writing experience for their students.

Are Writing Fellows Right For Your Course?

To be eligible for the Writing Fellows program, instructors must adjust their syllabus to allow time for revision and require students to meet with the Writing Fellows as part of their grade. Instructors must also meet with the assigned Writing Fellow to discuss assignments and build eight calendar days into their course calendar for each round of appointments between students and the Writing Fellows.

• Adjusting the syllabus to allow time for revision
• Requiring students to meet with the Writing Fellows as part of their grade
• Meeting with the assigned Writing Fellow to discuss assignments
• Building eight calendar days into the course calendar for each round of appointments

Detailed Process for Implementing Writing Fellows

The process for implementing Writing Fellows into a course involves several steps:

• The instructor meets with the Writing Fellows Program coordinator before the quarter begins to plan assignment specifics
• The instructor communicates with the assigned Writing Fellow early in the quarter
• The instructor meets with the Writing Fellow assigned to the course one week before the first assignment
• The instructor receives a participation report from the Writing Fellow detailing which students followed through with their Writing Fellows appointment requirements

Information For Student Writers

What Is The Writing Fellows Program?

The Writing Fellows program is a unique opportunity for students to receive one-on-one writing support from a peer writing tutor. The program is designed to provide students with helpful insight and feedback on their writing and to help them hone their personal writing process.

Can You Give An Overview Of Working With A Writing Fellow?

Working with a Writing Fellow involves several steps:

• Signing up for an appointment with a Writing Fellow
• Participating in one or two rounds of feedback, depending on the course requirements
• Receiving written feedback or participating in synchronous appointments, as determined by the instructor

Signing Up For An Appointment

Students will be introduced to their Writing Fellows Cohort before the due date of their first writing assignment. The instructor will direct students to sign up for their first appointment, and students will have the choice of working with any of the Fellows assigned to their class.

Rounds

A "round" is the full cycle of feedback, which may include a face-to-face or online real-time appointment and/or a written feedback appointment. The modality requirement of the Writing Fellows appointment will be determined by the instructor.

Written Feedback

If the instructor requires a written feedback appointment, students will be required to turn in their draft by the due date. The Writing Fellow will return the draft with carefully considered comments in the margins and a summary comment.

Synchronous Appointments

Synchronous appointments involve meeting with a Writing Fellow in real-time, either in person or online. The instructor will direct students in how to sign up for an appointment, and students should take note of the time, location, and Writing Fellow they are meeting with.

I Can't Make / I Missed My Appointment! What Do I Do?

If a student is unable to make their appointment or misses it, they should email their class's point of contact or call the Writing Center to let them know. The receptionist will work with the student to find a new appointment that works with their schedule.