BGSU :: General Studies Writing Program :: FULL-TIME TEACHING STAFF: Sarah Lenz

General Studies Writing Program

FULL-TIME TEACHING STAFF: Sarah Lenz

As an instructor of first-year writing, I approach the subject pragmatically. Learning to write academically and understanding how to craft a well-researched argument are practical skills that are the foundation of a well-rounded education. Additionally, writing fosters students’ ability to think critically and analyze the world around them. The ability to communicate well in writing will serve a student whether these skills are applied in the next class he or she takes or in a task assigned by a future boss. Once students see the immense practicality of what I am asking them to do in the writing I assign, they are more motivated to learn.

I believe the classroom is a community. Since at most universities composition classes are usually the only class in which first-year students receive one-on-one instruction, I take advantage of this fact by engaging with students in meaningful discussions and asking students to engage with one another. Using discussion and debate in small groups also helps students address multiple points of view. I believe in creating an environment where students learn by expressing themselves, articulating their beliefs, and by listening and considering viewpoints quite different from their own.