OcroseR 25, 2005

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Free Writing Workshops Are Back, Popularity Growing

Kimberley Johnston A&E Editor

Word is spreading about the free writing workshops, says facilitator Heather Gushue. This is the second

year the series has been offered to UPEI students, and classes seem to have grown. Perhaps students are beginning to see how useful the workshops are, she says.

“The workshops are more popular than last year in that more students have expressed their interest in attending them. We only hope the popularity continues,” she explained. “These writing workshops are useful for students for a number of reasons. One main reason is that they are an inviting and informal setting where students can come with questions, writing concerns, papers or assignments they are currently working on that they would like help with, or just to hang out and talk about writing.”

The workshops usually have a particular topic of focus, but the main facilitators, Gushue and Christine Gordon Manley, are pretty flexible.

“We want to make sure that each workshop has a particular focus, but that does not mean that students cannot come in with other questions. We are also developing our workshops in more detail. So they are changing ‘compared to last year — for the better,” said Gushue.

She said the workshops, which include lessons in documenting sources, punctuation, and the writing process (among others) are mainly student- driven.

“These writing workshops are being offered because students have

expressed interest in learning specific types of information that otherwise may not be covered in regular classes,” said Gushue.

“The workshops are also being offered because it is important to provide resources and opportunities to students to allow them to develop and improve their writing skills, which will then enable them to function as productively as possible in their future endeavours.”

Besides, she says, the price is right.

“We are offering these workshops for free because we want to maximize opportunities for students to attend them. If we charge fees to attend these workshops, we are potentially eliminating a portion of the

student population who may not be able |

to afford to attend, but yet may want to come . Besides, “free” is always the best price for students anyway!”

Ofall the lessons one can learn in the English language, one should realize that you don’t have to be an expert, but the basics are good to know, explained Gushue.

“Perhaps what is important for students to realize is that learning grammar and punctuation does not mean that everyone must become an expert at using grammatical terminology. It does mean, however, that students gain an understanding of how to write and communicate clearly and effectively; when incorrect grammar and punctuation use detracts from an argument in an essay, memo, report,

Continued on page 19

Fright Night Have you been freaked out by midterms? Does the thought of passing in papers or assignments send shivers up your spine? Come join us for Fright Night at the Pit, located in Robertson Library. Writing centre assistants will be there to check over your assignments with you. Bring your treat bags too— there will be candy in abundance! Fright Night is taking place Wednesday, October 26 and Thursday October 27 from 4 to 8 p.m. Be scared or be square!

TICKETS $10 ADVANCE $12ATTHEDOOR | WET/DRY

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