Morehead Writing Project Peer Writers Devon Collins, Lauren Evans, and Megan Ison will present their poster, The advantages and disadvantages of the writing studio model, during the 2014 Student Celebration of Scholarship at Morehead State University.
Abstract:
Despite a dozen years of formal writing instruction, many students continue to struggle with writing when they enter college. These struggles are often the result of the belief that the student is not and cannot become a writer. This lack of confidence negatively affects student motivation and performance which can have a severe impact on student success in
college and beyond. This participatory research project is studying the impact of a pilot Writing Studio program on this cycle of writing failure. The Writing Studio has been successfully used at other institutions to provide individualized writing instruction in a small group setting.
We discovered that the MWP Writing Studio has a tremendous impact on the development of struggling writers. The writers we worked with reported increases in confidence and competence as well as improved attitudes toward writing. Instructors reported similar results as well as improvements in class discussion and engagement and lower rates of
writing errors. In addition, we have found that our Peer Writers grew in confidence and competence as writing teachers through their work with struggling writers.
Undergraduate research fellowships provided by Regional Engagement and English Department.