Published on 01/01/92

Published on 01/01/92

Published on 01/01/91

Published on 01/01/91

came into the Writing Center "clueless." The comment on his paper read: "A fine idea in response to the assignment. Can you be more specific? Add details!" As we talked, it was clear that John wanted to revise his paper but was unsure of how to proceed. He did not understand how his teacher could like his idea but still expect more of the writing itself; "style"' and "texture" were foreign concepts. Details, to him, were the facts one needed to support or prove one's opinion

Published on 01/01/90

observes that "although writing centers have always been diverse in their pedagogies, philosophies and physical makeups, the writing center's period of chaotic adolescence is nearly over. Center directors are slowly articulating common goals, objectives, and methodologies; and writing centers are beginning to take on a common form to evolve into a recognizable species" (vii). Olson views writing centers' emergence from "chaotic adolescence" in a positive light, since he interprets it as an important step toward adulthood, that is, as a sign that writing centers are finally becoming part of the academic mainstream. Now, although I share Olson's interest in the enhanced status of writing centers, I am nevertheless a bit wary of the possibility that writing centers will soon take on a "common form" in the profession, a common form verging on dogma, and it is in response to this idea of a "common form" that I advocate the maintenance of chaos. When I think of the terms "common form" and "recognizable species" in the context of writing centers, I recall the preface to Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg , Ohio , which tells of a time when the world was young and all about were truths and they were all beautiful -And then the people came along. Each as he appeared snatched up one of the truths and some who were quite strong snatched up a dozen of them

Published on 01/01/90

Published on 01/01/90

Published on 01/01/89

Published on 01/01/89

Published on 01/01/88

Published on 01/01/88

Published on 01/01/87

Published on 01/01/87

Published on 01/01/86

Published on 01/01/85

Published on 01/01/85

Published on 01/01/83