The presentation will focus on the vital role that engagement plays in a composition course. When students have a vested interest in the subject about which they are writing, they are much, much more likely to invest time and energy into their work. When they care about the subject about which they are writing, they want to do their best because the writing matters to them; they are writing to communicate ideas that are important to them—not simply writing to complete the assignment and earn a passing grade.

The grade takes a back seat to the message they are trying to get across to their audience. So what can we, as teachers, do to encourage engagement? How can we create assignments that give students a space to make writing assignments their own? In addition to exploring these questions, I will share sample student essays that illustrate the impact of student engagement in the topics about which they are writing.

Speakers

Deborah Coxwell-Teague, Florida State University

View the presentation