Book
Reviews
Issue 29(1)
Designing
Writing Assignments.
(2008), Traci Gardner.Urbana IL: NCTE. 109pp. $31.95. ISBN: 978-0-8141-1085-0
Review
by: Cheryl
Blake Price
Advising
First
Florida
State
University
One
of the most critical challenges that undergraduate advisors must
face is helping students think critically about their major decisions.
The process of creating and reflecting on written work is also
a process of thought; whether critical or creative, writing is
a good way for students to think about and tackle problems in
new ways. Horning (1991) noted that incorporating writing
assignments into the advising process can help students make difficult
decisions about their college experience. Particularly with
undecided students, structured and well-planned writing assignments
can help guide students through this decision process. For
advisors looking to integrate student writing into their advising
practice, this manual will be a good guide for structuring and
brainstorming writing activities.
This
manual is intended to help composition teachers produce writing
prompts that provide information and support to the student while
taking into consideration student difference and creativity.
Gardner
stresses that the most effective writing assignments are carefully
planned and well-rounded, and she delineates what separates a
good writing prompt from a bad one.
For
those who have never created a writing assignment before, Gardner
also overviews important composition
theory and practice; but the book is not burdened by composition
jargon and is easily accessible to those outside English departments.
The
highlight of the work is the ideas Gardner
provides for creating innovative
and fresh, yet effective, writing assignments. Gardner
understands that student interest
in the subject is an important consideration in designing assignments,
and she likes to use twists on traditional writing prompts to
enliven writing. In the book she also gives many real-life examples,
drawn from her own teaching experience, that highlight the features
of a good writing prompt. Gardner
’s emphasis on meeting the
needs of the student will inspire advisors to create their own
writing activities. Her example assignments, which are creative
but also foster critical thinking, also illustrate how writing
prompts can be tailored to the needs of the student and the situation.
Composition
is never simply about improving writing, but can be integrated
into numerous uses for student exploration and discovery. Designing
Writing Assignments is an easy to understand and thorough
overview of how to create effective and appealing prompts. Advisors
interested in incorporating writing into the advising process
will find this book a useful guide to this process.
Reference
Horning,
A. S. (1991, February). Advising undecided students through research
writing. College Composition and Communication, 42 ,
80–84.
