The Mid-terms Are Coming...

It's Friday again, which means I am in the Writing Center working on our lovely blog. I've been a little discouraged by the lack of comments, but I will keep pushing forward, hoping my readers are out there. If you are out there, please leave a lonely writing tutor a comment!

Anyway, Sunday is the first day of fall, which means we are one step closer to mid-terms! You all know what that means: papers, papers, papers. And tests. But mostly papers! Here in the Writing Center, we have been flooded with students hoping to get help on their mid-term papers. This is a very exciting time in the semester for us because we have so much to do and so many wonderful people to meet. If you would like to be one of those people, please call or make an appointment with us!

Photo courtesy of InterstingIdeas.Blogspot.com

Friday the 13th

It's Friday the 13th, everyone! The unluckiest of holidays, unless you happen to be a turkey or a pumpkin. This day has been considered unlucky since the 19th century, if not earlier, because thirteen has long been considered an unlucky number, and Friday has long been considered an unlucky day. Both of these superstitions are steeped in Christianity, Norse mythology, and religious culture, so I won't bore you with the details, but make sure you carry your lucky talisman today!

Whether you are superstitious or not, it is probably best not to tempt fate. Here are thirteen writing tips to bring you good luck on your writing assignments today:

1. Just write. Don't worry about how it sounds or what your grammar looks like. Just get it all out, and then worry about editing.
2. Write about what you care about. All writing assignments have some element of choice. Write about what you would want to read about, not what you think your professor wants to read.
3. Make an outline before you start, especially if you tend to get ahead of yourself by thinking about how you want to end a paper while writing the introduction. It doesn't have to be formal, but plan it out.
4. Read good writing. This may give you some ideas or inspire you on what you want to write about.
5. Let someone you trust read your writing. An extra pair of eyes never hurt.
6. Write clearly an concisely. Don't try to make something "sound good;" just say what you want to say without a bunch of flowery language or technical jargon. If you have good points and a solid argument, you won't need to make yourself sound "smart."
7. Be specific. Vague generalities will just confuse your reader.
8. If you get writer's block, it's best to get up and do something else instead of sitting and staring at a computer screen. Take a walk, call a friend, play a game, make a sandwich--just do something to get your thoughts flowing.
9. Believe in yourself. Anyone can become a great writer with practice and study. Don't excuse writing an inadequate paper on not being a good writer.
10. You don't have to be good at grammar or spelling to be a good writer. Writing is about what you write about, not about how many commas you have.
11. Write multiple drafts. It will help to see how much your writing has improved just over the course of one assignment. The more you think about one subject, the more ideas will come to you, so don't just give up after writing a draft one way when there are infinitely many.
12. Make your writing your own. Don't worry about how someone else would write it; no one's voice is as unique as your own. Just because you think your friend is the best writer since Shakespeare doesn't mean you need to write like that person. Find your own style and stay true to it.
13. Come to the Writing Center! We are more than happy to use our knowledge for your benefit, and who knows, your professor may offer you extra credit for visiting.

Have a safe and lucky Friday, everyone!

--Sarah

We're Back!

The WKU Writing Center is now open and fully operational! Come by Cherry Hall 123 or Cravens Library to see us and get some help on your latest assignment. Here is a list of our operating hours for Fall 2013:

Cherry Hall 123

Monday - Thursday     9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday                           9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Cravens Library (on the fourth floor in the Commons)
Monday                      4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Tuesday                      4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Wednesday                 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Thursday                    4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

 If you don't live in Bowling Green or can't get to our locations when we're open, we schedule online appointments through email. One of our tutors will read the paper you send us and create a video for you, outlining how to improve your writing. Please note: our tutors will not proofread your entire paper, but will instead try to educate you on how to better your paper and your writing. Also note: we require at least 72 hours to get your paper back to you, so make sure and send it in well before the due date!

To submit a paper for an online appointment, visit our website: www.wku.edu/writingcenter. To make an appointment with one of our tutors, you can do so from our website, by calling (270) 745-5719, or by coming in to on of our locations and scheduling a time to come in. We do accept drop-ins, but our scheduled appointments take priority, so try to schedule your appointment well in advance!

We also have a new Glasgow location for students who live in or near Glasgow. For more information, you can call (270) 659-6900 or visit www.wku.edu/glasgow/writingcenter.php.

Make sure to like us on our new Facebook page for updates about our hours, special events, and more!

--Sarah

The Writing Center Will Be Closed From August 8th-September 2nd, 2013

All students are reminded that the Writing Center will end its summer hours tomorrow, August 8th. We will be closed until the second week of the fall semester, opening on September 2nd, 2013 in both our Cravens Library and Cherry Hall locations.

Thank you for a great summer and good luck on summer finals!

--Geneva

How To: Make the Best of Your Summer

Finals just ended, and you're ready to kick back, relax, and enjoy the summer sun until school starts again this August. No textbooks to read, no essays to write, no thinking for three whole months. After all, you've put in a bunch of hard work this spring, you deserve a break, right?

Well, don't let that break go on too long or you just might find yourself wondering where the summer went with nothing to show of the last three months except a tan or a few more levels on Candy Crush(TM). And you'll come back to WKU only to find you've lost all of those writing and study skills you learned last semester. But, summer doesn't have to one long boring cram session either, and the WKU Writing Center has some tips on making this summer a productive and fun one!

1. Learn a New Skill: Ever wanted to learn how to juggle? Or do card tricks? What about rollerblading or tightrope walking? Well, you have three months to do just that. Pick a new skill, even a silly one, and dedicate the summer to it. By September, you'll be well on your way to being a master in wood carving, BMX biking, or any one of dozens of other hobbies. Summer is a time to expand your horizons, and learning a new skill offers you the chance to meet new people and gain new experiences. Your hobby doesn't even necessarily have to be silly. Maybe you've always wanted to write a short story or a poem. Dedicate your summer to writing the next Great American Novel before NaNoWriMo comes around this November.

Don't know what you want to learn? Check out Discover a Hobby for some suggestions! And then let us know on the WKU Writing Center Facebook.

2. Keep a Journal or Blog: Keeping a diary or an online blog about your summer reading list, your favorite recipes, or your internship experiences is a great way to boost your writing skills and to find new inspiration for scholarship essays. Join Tumblr or Blogspot and connect with other people who share your passion for stamp collection, painting your nails ridiculously bright colors, or finding the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. After all, as Stephen King said, "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot." So, get out there and write!

3. Read, Read, Read: Read the newspaper, read a magazine, or read the new Dan Brown novel. Basically, just read. Reading, especially reading for pleasure, is one of the best ways to improve your vocabulary and grammar knowledge, to analyze texts (a skill you will definitely need in your English 300 class), and to impact your own writing. And summer offers you time to do just that without the worry of classes over your head. Even if you decided years ago that you just hate reading, try picking up a novel again and see if reading it without having to worry about getting tested over the plot or the theme changes your mind.

Good Reads is a great place to start a summer reading list!

4.  Get Some Experience: After all, you can't write if you don't have anything to write about.  Getting a part-time job might not sound like the most fun summer, but you'll certainly find something to write about by the time that summer's over. And the extra money is definitely worth it. Or, if you have a little money saved up, why not travel this summer? Traveling is one of the best ways to get out of your comfort zone and find out something new about yourself. You don't have to spend a lot of money to travel, either, because a lot of transit companies offer discounts to college students. And remember that traveling doesn't always have to mean overseas. Why not take a road trip to somewhere you've never been right inside your own state?

Above all, do something with your summer break and come back to WKU in the fall ready to start the semester grind all over again. Make sure to share your summer plans with us here or at the WKU Writing Center Facebook. For those of you who have already dedicated your time to summer classes, the Writing Center is currently open in Cravens Library on the 4th floor. Check out our hours at the top of the blog!

Happy Writing,

Geneva

Video: A Tour of The WKU Writing Center

Video: How To Make an Appointment at the WKU Writing Center