Resources for Teaching Writing
The Writing Program supports the teaching of writing by organizing and encouraging faculty conversations about writing across the curriculum, writing within the disciplines, and writing beyond the academy. In addition to hosting conversations about writing, we create, collect and share written materials that pertain to the teaching of writing. These handouts include discussion of writing processes and genres, sample writing assignments, and syllabi from writing intensive classes across the curriculum. Some are written for faculty and others are written for students.
Writing Program
The Writing Program inspires critical and creative thinking about language, story, argument and intercultural communication. Our courses privilege a student-centered workshop approach that is inquiry-based.
Quick Writing Resources for Student Writers
Writing Resources for Student Writers
go/writingresources Helpful writing information for Middlebury students
go/middwrite WordPress site with writing tips
go/researchfaq Need help starting a research paper or project? Look here.
Links to Helpful Information about Writing
How do I structure a college essay?
Most college papers need a thesis that argues a point that can be proven or demonstrated with evidence in the paper. Use this worksheet to help see if the paper has the points, evidence, and analysis to prove the thesis: Structure of an Essay.
Making appointments with Writing Faculty
To Meet With Writing Program Faculty and staff, you'll want to plan ahead when possible and schedule appointments with us via our computer based scheduling system,
Writing Center
Situated in the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Research, the Writing Center provides students the opportunity to meet with writing program faculty and staff and peer writing tut
Sample Grading Criteria for Students
Participation Grades: The following descriptions provide some thoughts on the grades which might be assigned to your participation. Please recognize that the grades you receive reflect my evaluation of your involvement in class.
Midterm Evaluation
1) What is your overall impression of this class so far?
2) What aspects of this class work (especially) well for you?
3) What does not work so well?
4) On a scale from 1-5 (with 5 being the highest), how
would you rank:
a) the amount of what you have learned so far
b) how you feel integrated into the class/ opportunities
to contribute
c) clearness of instructor's explanations
d) effectiveness of teaching/ learning
Assessing Student Writing
Midterm Assessments
Grading Criteria for Midterm Portfolio
Adapted from Donald M. Murray, Learning by Teaching
MATERIAL
Is there an abundance of information?
Is it specific? Is it accurate? Is it honest?
Is it used effectively to develop and document what the writer has to say?
FOCUS
Has the writer found his or her subject?
Has the writer made the subject worth reading about?
Is the writing focused on the subject?
Is the subject limited - developed and completed?
Are the reader's questions answered?
Does the piece have a meaning?
Assessing Student Writing
Peer Writing Tutors
Peer Writing Tutors can work with Middlebury students at every phase of the writing process.
Teaching Resources
The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Research hosts discussions, round tables, and talks about teaching at Middlebury and beyond.