Writing is not a single-step process. The UCWbL’s fifth core belief explains that sharing and revising work can be beneficial to all writers, regardless of experience. It’s not surprising to learn that tutors also experience transformations while working at the UCWbL. Because writing can be a truly collaborative process, sometimes through helping others with their writing, we also become better writers ourselves.
It can be easy to see writing as a solitary activity, which is why working in the Writing Center can be so eye-opening. Peer tutor Maddy C. experienced such a transformation during her time here. “Before I started working at the UCWbL in my third year at DePaul, I had never visited the Writing Center,” she says. “Since my first-year writing classes, most professors advised students to go to the Writing Center sometime during the quarter for feedback on a paper. And as a Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse major, I have written a lot of papers! But I never managed to go myself. Looking back, I think the reason I never visited was because I imagined writing as a solitary process. I thought I had the sole responsibility to craft my papers.”
In her time working here, Maddy has changed her outlook and agrees that writing can be improved with collaboration. “I realize now that writing should be a social process. Every aspect of collaboration that goes into a project makes it better!” she says. “Now, I love having my fellow tutors read my projects, from my resume to my final paper. Every new person who reads my draft is a unique audience member who gives me authentic and meaningful feedback that helps me improve my writing. I know that working at the UCWbL has made me a better writer, but even just submitting my own papers has made me a better writer, too. I’m always excited to see who I’ll get to work with next because I enjoy being a reader for other writers.”
Lex J. has also experienced a similar writing transformation. “I probably heard of the UCWbL first through one of my first-year professors, but I, admittedly, did not particularly care to bring in any of my own writing. I was pretty confident in my ability to get the grade I wanted on assignments, and I had reservations about sharing personal writing with anyone,” says Lex. “In my mind, there wasn’t really much other reason to go, so, it took me until early spring quarter, when I was applying for a grant, that I finally sought help with my writing. Despite my hesitance, it was a really positive experience. Around the same time, the UCWbL was tabling in the student center with information about applying to work here, and I decided to go for it. So, now I’m here, and I’ve finally (mostly) gotten over my reticence to seek feedback on my work.”
Because writing can be a social activity, Writing Center appointments end up beneficial for both the writer and the tutor–and that is part of what makes the UCWbL so magical!
I hope you all enjoyed this series on UCWbL Origin Stories, and I hope you all had a wonderful International Writing Centers Week! I’m so happy to be a part of this project, helping to document what makes us so special.
Keep on writing, everyone!
Happy Friday!
Savy