Kitty S. C. Burroughs

Degrees and Institutions

Ph.D. English – Rhetoric and Writing, Bowling Green State University, 1998
M.A. English – Literature, University of Northern Iowa, 1992
B.A. English – TESOL, University of Northern Iowa, 1989

Teaching Narrative

What is the purpose of writing if not to convey something meaningful to ourselves, even in retrospect, and to others? We write to document our thoughts and feelings, and we write to communicate and to share with others. Sometimes we write to treasure and to remember significant moments in our lives. At a time when the world around us is saturated with all kinds of noise, sound bites that surround us with infinite amounts of information, and when we are so preoccupied with so many things that require our attention, we need to moment to reflect on our existence. Who are we? Why are we here?

Writing allows for the quiet time that we need to think and to reflect – on our past, present, and future. We write to answer all those “why” questions, even when we may not reach any satisfying answer. We write to make sense of things. We write to validate ourselves. And we write because in the act of writing, we, hopefully, are honest with ourselves. Through reflective writing, we allocate time and space to assess, and begin a process of change.

Because writing is so many things to so many students, including fear and frustration, writing is social and must be viewed and practiced as a process. Students should know why they are writing and find meaning in what they choose to write about. As students discover themselves through writing, they will learn to own their writing, for writing is a reflection of who they are.  Writing is also the negotiation of one’s place in a discourse community, and it embodies values and identities for writers. As such, I wish my students to have the ability to sift through and to understand their own thoughts as well as information available to them, to analyze ideas in order to make informed decisions, and to have meaningful communication with members of their discourse communities.

Research Interests

Composition pedagogy, second language writing in composition studies, curriculum development and assessment in first-year writing, writing about writing pedagogy, inclusive pedagogy, and developmental education.

Courses Taught

GSW 1100: Intensive Introduction to Academic Writing
GSW 1110: Introduction to Academic Writing
GSW 1110 Honors: Introduction to Academic Writing, theme-based Honors section
GSW 1100E: Intensive Introduction to Academic Writing (for ESL students)       
GSW 1120: Academic Writing
GSW P1120: Academic Writing (with special topics)
ENG 2000: Writing about Literature (focusing on women in literature)
ENG 4840: Foundations of Teaching Writing
ENG 6020 Online: Composition Instructors’ Workshop
WS 2000: Introduction to Women’s Studies

Select Presentations

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. and Cheryl Hoy. “First-Year Writing Teacher Preparation and Metacognition: Unwrapping the Complex Writing Lives of Students.” Summer Conference on College Composition and Communication, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, May 30-31, 2019.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Dan Bommarito, Tonisha Gordon, and DeVona Smith. “But What about Mathematics and English Composition? Academic Pain Points in Student Success.” 2019 Retention Summit, Office of the Provost, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH. May 16, 2019.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. “Metacognition and Teaching of Writing: Students’ Reflection as a Pivotal Point for Transfer.” The Tenth Annual Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference, University of Findlay, Findlay, OH, May 13-14, 2019.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. “Co-Requisite Remediation in First Year Writing Courses.” Roundtable Presentation. Strong Start to Finish—Spring Learning Network, Ohio Department of Higher Education, Columbus, OH, March 1, 2019.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. “First-year Writing Pilot.” Roundtable Presentation. Strong Start to Finish Conference, Ohio Department of Higher Education, Columbus, OH, October 4, 2018.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Cheryl Hoy, Chad Van Buskirk, and Elizabeth Zemanski. “Embracing Threshold Concepts in First-Year Writing: Opportunities, Challenges, and Thorny Negotiations.” 7th Biennial Threshold Concepts Conference, Miami University, OH, June 13-16, 2018.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. and Learning Community members. “Beyond Student Course Evaluations: Communicating Teaching Effectiveness.” 2018 Teaching and Learning Summit. Center for Faculty Excellence, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, March 28, 2018.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Fred Coleman, Christina Lunceford, Luis Moreno, Laura Saavedra, and Angelo Singleton. “Panel of Faculty and Staff of Color.” Multicultural Summer Link Program, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, August 18, 2017.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Vibha Bhalla, Hikari Iwayama, and Sam Touch. “Engaging Diverse Audiences.” Asian American Heritage Month, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, April 24, 2017.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. and Learning Community members. “Learning Community: Contemplative Pedagogy—Creating Mindful Learning Environments.” Eleventh Annual BGSU Teaching and Learning Fair. Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, March 23, 2017.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Vibha Bhalla, Lynda Dee Dixon, Thomas J. Gibson, and Luis Moreno.  “Surviving Grad School as a Person of Color.” Project Search Panel, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, November 14, 2016.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Cheryl Hoy, Chad Van Buskirk, and Elizabeth Zemanski. “Embracing Difference and Interrogating Disciplinary Boundaries: A First-Year Writing Program’s Approach to Promoting Inclusivity Within and Beyond the Classroom.” International Writing across the Curriculum Conference, University of Michigan, MI, June 24, 2016.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Emily Anzicek, Dawn Hubbell-Staeble, Yannick Kluch, and Chad Van Buskirk. “BGP Committee Meeting on ECOC.” BG Perspective Committee, Office on Undergraduate Education, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, February 17, 2016.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Amy Cook, and Chad Van Buskirk. “Best Practices for Teaching ESOL Students in GSW Courses.” ENG 6020, Department of English, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, September 24, 2015.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Holly Bird, and Susan Carlton. "Why Writing about Writing and How to Create and Incorporate WAW Assignments." GSW Welcome Back Brunch and Teaching Symposium, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, August 13, 2015.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. “Identifying WID Beyond First-Year Writing.” Panel on “Exploring WID in First-Year Writing: Navigating Initiatives, Assessment Practices, and Resistance.” North Carolina Symposium on Teaching Writing, North Carolina State University, NC, February 28, 2015.