Deep Breaths on Paper

Abstract

Calls for more attention to social work student writing have gone largely unanswered in the literature and, it can be assumed, in the classroom. An emphasis on writing skills will help prepare students for active and effective advocacy in their practices and in policy arenas. To assure social work instructors that writing instruction, like writing, is no mysterious and impossible chore, this article introduces three key concepts of composition theory: writing to learn, writing as process, and writing as social act. To demonstrate the interrelated applications of these concepts, various uses of classroom journals are presented. Further, instructors are encouraged to require multiple drafts of papers and to provide written assignment guides. Some suggestions for useful commenting on drafts are provided.

Key Words:

• Teaching writing
• journal assignments
• process assignments
• social act