Lecture Notes: Philosophy on Teaching Writing

Key Philosophy

• Main Idea: Writing can't be taught directly; it's a skill you must practice.
• Instructor Role: Provide tips, hints, and tools to aid your independent practice.
• Class Focus: Equip students with a variety of tools to use in their writing.

Tools for Writing

• Purpose: Useful for troubleshooting writing issues.
• Application:
  • During Writing: Rarely used consciously.
  • Outlining: Frequently used to structure ideas.
  • Diagnosing Problems: Helpful in identifying and solving issues in drafts.

Personal Experience

• Professional Use: The instructor uses these tools even in a seasoned career.
• Tool Examples: Specific tools will be discussed later in the lecture.

Important Takeaway

• Practice: To benefit from the class, actively work on your writing.