Oberlin: Working with Peer Instruction: Writing and Speaking Associates

The Writing Associates Program has been at Oberlin in one form or another for 40 years. There is, nonetheless, a fair amount of confusion about what writing associates do. Some faculty and students see them as grammar fixers and proofreaders—people who can help with problems—but the truth is that writing associates are prepared to work with all kinds of writers, at any stage in the writing process. And now, with the help of a Mellon grant, writing associates also are learning how to work with their peers on presentations and other speaking skills. Laurie McMillin, professor of rhetoric and composition, will lead the brown bag and discuss the work of Writing Associates (both course WAs and Writing Center WAs); she will also share how they are taught to approach student work and discuss what speaking writing associates are prepared to do.