Whenever I have watched the Food Network series “Chopped” I think how challenging it would be to make food that is going to please all three judges as they have different opinions about why something is good or bad. It’s pretty much the same thing with turning in assignments to different instructors. Some are sticklers for the APA. Some won’t accept anything written in first person. Fortunately, I have had many, like me, who prefer the first person to boring textbook narration.
In each class I have had, the instructor has encouraged the students to use the writing center. Again, there is a huge array of people that have their opinions on what makes for a good assignment and what doesn’t. Granted, I realize two days work is NOT a lot of time for a proper paper, but I cannot wait until the end of the week for the writing center gets more backed up. I want to have my paper now.
I have friends and a brother who are familiar with my writing style and understand what improvements can be made. I would rather go through them than the writing center first of all because there is instant gratification on my part, but also because I can communicate with them better than I can an unknown voice.
I think for the most part I have used the writing center when it is required. I have learned that I can just submit my assignment and not have to make an appointment to talk with the person who is checking my paper. I don’t have a voice for it right now anyway.
So I submitted my initial paper on the 28th knowing fully well that there was a need for improvement (there will always be room for improvement) and the first person to correct my paper suggested I make transitions and lose my beginning quote. Hey, I had a class with the dean of English who is the one who had suggested the quote idea.
But I went ahead and changed the quote and added transitions and ended up taking out a paragraph. I resubmitted it. The second person to check my paper was a stickler for APA references and suggested I add more resources. I ended up deleting two more paragraphs.
I’ve been told that the writing center will still be available to me even after I graduate. How does that work? In order to submit my paper, I have to provide the name of my class. There isn’t a space for comment or explanation. It’s your class, an option of eight reasons why it is being submitted, and submit your paper. It’s not as though I can say, “Oh, this is for my blog. Some of my readers seem to be bored with my style – not to mention all the spelling and grammatical errors.”
I realize that it may be easier for a third party to critique my assignment as she has no investment in me personally. It can also be constructive and useful to me if I will accept it. It’s my last class. It’s my last assignment. I know I need to improve. But I doubt it will be through the writing center anymore.
