Appropriate Conduct in Writing Classes

Writing courses are usually set up as workshops, which writer and teacher Donald Murray defines as “a community where writers help each other develop their own meanings and their own voices.It is also a community where apprentices and masters work side by side in the practice of their craft” (A Writer Teaches Writing [Boston:Houghton, 1985], 187).As in any community, certain sorts of behavior are counterproductive.

In general, behaviors that interfere with the work of the class or that of the instructor will not be tolerated.These include, but are not limited to, the following: persistent refusal to participate in class activities; persistent disruption of the class; intimidation of the instructor or fellow students, in or out of class; or other behaviors defined as unacceptable in “Student Code of Conduct” in the Wright State University Student Handbook.

An instructor who finds that a student’s behavior is interfering with her or his work or the work of the class has the authority of the English Department and the Writing Programs Committee to take the following actions: 

1. Notify Student Verbally
   The instructor should discuss the problem, as he or she perceives it, with the student. If the behavior ceases, no further action will be warranted.

2. Temporarily Remove Student from Class
   If the behavior occurs again, the instructor may insist that the student leave the class or conference and be counted as absent for that day; such absences will count against the total allowed by the instructor’s stated policy. After such action, the instructor will write a letter to the Director of Writing Programs outlining the nature of the problem with specific incidents, dates of occurrence, and instructor actions. Copies will be sent to the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, to the student’s advisor, to the Chair of the English Department, and to the student, using the student’s campus mail address. This letter will serve as a second warning to the student.

3. Remove Student from Class Permanently
   If the behavior occurs yet again, the instructor may again insist that the student leave the class or conference. The instructor must immediately contact the Director of Writing Programs. Once the instructor has outlined the nature of the problem, the director will send a letter to the student at the student’s campus mail address describing the nature of the problem and requesting the student to meet with the director to present his or her view of the problem. If the director concurs with the instructor’s assessment of the problem, or if the student chooses not to appear at the meeting, the director will withdraw the student from the course. The director may also refer the student to the Office of Judicial Affairs for further disciplinary action. 

Checklist for Success 

Students sometimes feel overwhelmed in a course or struggle with a particular assignment.Instructors usually plan a sequence of activities to smoothly guide students into major projects; but if you find yourself having difficulty in a class or with a particular assignment, you may be able to get back on track by taking a few simple measures.Here is a checklist to help you retrace your steps, find where you may have gone astray, and decide what to do next.

• Were you present in class the day the assignment was explained?  If not, borrow a classmate’s notes on your instructor’s explanation or ask the your instructor if an assignment sheet was passed out.

• Did you take notes when your instructor explained the assignment?Again, you might borrow a classmate’s notes, but remember to take careful notes in the future.

• Have you read all assigned readings?If not, go back and read the ones you missed. This may be all you need to clearly understand the task.

• Have you consulted standard references?References such as glossaries or special sections in your text, handbooks for mechanical problems (punctuation, grammar, sentence structure), dictionaries, or other library or internet references can help you find answers to all sorts of problems.

• Have you discussed the assignment with classmates?Sometimes, by talking about your confusion with other students, you may be able to help each other to a clearer understanding.Perhaps another student can word an explanation in more familiar language.

• Have you completed all homework, journal assignments, and invention activities? Usually these are designed to guide you step-by-step into the final project.You may need to go back and complete one or more of these.

• Have you completed the assigned number of drafts, submitting them for peer or instructor feedback? If not, perhaps you can arrange for another student in the class to give you feedback outside of class, or you might take a draft to the Writing Center.

• Did you read and critique classmates’ drafts of the assignment? Sometimes, seeing how other students have handled an assignment helps you get ideas for your own paper.And trying to help others find and fix problems in their work can help you see the rough spots in your own.

• Have you attended all required conferences?If not, your instructor may be willing to reschedule; or, again, you might take your draft to the Writing Center.

• Have you analyzed and evaluated your own work? Students are usually asked to complete this type of activity before submitting a draft for your instructor's feedback.Perhaps you attempted the assignment but felt reluctant to take a hard look at your writing.Put the draft aside for a day or so and try again.The extra time may help you look at your work more objectively.

• If your instructor suggested that you make regular appointments at the Writing Center, have you scheduled and kept those appointments? There is no time like the present to get started.

• If you are uncertain about something your instructor said in class or wrote on your paper, have you asked your instructor for clarification? Many such questions may be asked in class during class discussion, thereby benefiting other students who may feel equally uncertain. However, you might also approach your instructor after class, call him/her on the phone, send an email message, or drop by during office hours. If the issue is particularly complex, you may even want to schedule a conference.