Work Hub for Self-Reliant Scribes
In the realm of academic writing, revising a substantial independent work, such as a junior paper, can be a daunting task. For one author, this challenge was compounded by a full course load and the need to change the topic of the paper. However, the author found valuable assistance at their university's writing center.
The process began with the Writing Center fellow asking the author to create a skeleton map of the paper. This step proved crucial in improving the flow and clarifying connections to current legislation and policy implications at a federal level. The skeleton map served as a blueprint, guiding the author through the revisions process.
The author sought help from the Writing Center not just for creating the skeleton map, but also for revisions. The one-on-one support provided by the tutors was instrumental in the transformation of the paper. Through brainstorming, organizing drafts, offering revision strategies, and providing critical feedback, the tutors helped the author decipher the assignment's requirements and tailor the paper to the intended audience.
The author conducted qualitative research, which included interviews, for the Junior Paper. The revisions process involved adding stronger examples and evidence, removing irrelevant or repetitive information, and reorganizing content so that the strongest points were emphasized. The author worked diligently on the Junior Paper every night during the winter break, ensuring that each revision was meticulously implemented.
Engaging with the writing center during revision helped improve the quality of the paper. The argument became clearer, stronger, and more targeted to the audience. It also helped catch errors and polish the prose through editing and proofreading steps offered after substantive revision.
Despite unrealistic expectations, the author gained valuable advice from the Writing Center. The author's hard work and dedication paid off, as they successfully submitted the Junior Paper in January. The paper, which focused on shackling pregnant inmates in New York women's prisons, was a testament to the author's perseverance and the invaluable assistance provided by the university's writing center.
[1] University Writing Center, (n.d.). The Revision Process. [online] Available at: https://uwc.wisc.edu/revision/ [Accessed 20 Mar. 2023].
[2] Purdue Online Writing Lab, (n.d.). The Revision Process. [online] Available at: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/writing_process/revising_and_editing/362.html [Accessed 20 Mar. 2023].
[3] University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, (n.d.). Writing Center. [online] Available at: https://writing.illinois.edu/ [Accessed 20 Mar. 2023].
[4] University of California, Berkeley, (n.d.). The Writing Center. [online] Available at: https://writingcenter.berkeley.edu/ [Accessed 20 Mar. 2023].
[1] The author utilized the university's writing center for guidance on revising their independent work, a junior paper, which was a significant part of their education-and-self-development and personal-growth.
[2] The author's learning experience was enhanced through the one-on-one support from tutors at the writing center, who assisted in brainstorming, organizing drafts, offering revision strategies, and providing critical feedback, aiding in the transformation of the junior paper.
[3] Engaging in the writing program provided by the university's writing center allowed the author to improve the quality of their written work, emphasizing the importance of learning and independent work in academic writing and personal development.
