I am taking a class this semester about how to write academically. The class is quite small because there was a limit to 12 students, and the waiting list was almost 20 students.
There is quite a mix of students in this class. I am from Educational Psychology, 4 others are from various educational areas, and the remaining from chemistry, math and engineering. Most students do not speak, or write, English as a first language.
The book we are using during the first half of the semester is an excellent writing book that also teaches us how to use the English language effectively for academic writing. Embedded in the advanced English lessons is how to structure academic writing properly. This book is called Academic Writing for Graduate Students, Second Edition: Essential Tasks and Skills (Michigan Series in English for Academic & Professional Purposes). I would highly recommend this book for anyone in graduate school.
Is it more than a writing class?
This class is actually more than a weekly writing lesson. Dr. Huckin gives us sage advice about how to BE a graduate student. He is teaching us how the system works and what our mentors and advisors and committees are actually thinking. You see, our professors don’t often tell us exactly what they want, but they do often tell us we are doing it wrong without telling us how to fix it.
He also promised us we would become more confident in our academic writing. Many will never know that my writing confidence was waning and I was feeling completely unsure about how to write for school. That is because I was never really taught how to meet the writing expectations of the faculty in a high quality higher education institution.
I am already much more confident and able to write so much better. I am also feeling greater clarity when working with faculty and the higher education system; I just don’t feel so perplexed when going through some of the necessary tasks I was given. I am so grateful.
