Chair's Corner

My first Chair’s Corner. Sitting down to write this feels quite surreal. I’ve been reading this column in the Teaching and Learning Section Newsletter for so long – so many inspiring words, sage advice, poignant reflections. Of course, I know that comparing oneself to others is probably the worst way to conquer writing blocks. But I’ve long struggled with writing – especially creative or reflective writing – and so I thought that revisiting past Chair’s Corners would help me find my voice. No such luck. So I decided to practice what I preach.

Year after year, semester after semester, I offer my students advice on how to get started writing papers in a theory course. Sure, I talk through the paper guidelines, the reason why the assignment is structured this way, what outcomes they can expect from writing, and I share examples of papers from previous students with them. But more important than the nuts and bolts of an assignment, to me, is the instruction in writing that I’ve integrated into our Writing Workshop week.

I share advice about what it means to write theoretically, how to write an argumentative paper and successful writing strategies they can practice during the semester. One of those nuggets of advice is to just start writing. The blank page is so intimidating for all of us, right? So, I tell students that one way to start is to just begin typing or writing exactly what comes to mind. I decided to take my own advice and although the words you are reading weren’t typed out in exactly this order, they are the thoughts that I am having, written down as they come to mind. And at this moment, I’m coming to appreciate this piece of advice. I’m not sure who shared it with me. But I know that students have said it has been helpful advice as they try to conquer the intimidation of writing a theory paper!!

Think that this generic prompt won’t work? You can also structure the “just write” strategy for getting started. The first writing assignment during our writing week is a pre-writing, reflective activity, designed to mirror the papers which ask students to use theory to analyze various films:

“Your assignment is to complete a five-minute free-write. After watching the film clips, your job is to just write anything that comes to mind. You should start by writing down what theoretical ideas or concepts you see in the film. But the most important thing is that you just keep writing, consistently, for the entire time. Don’t stop typing, don’t pick up your pencil. Whatever comes to mind is what you write down. It’s okay if you start thinking about your grocery shopping list. Write that down and then see if you can come back to writing about the theory and film. Set your timer and try to put the least amount of pressure on yourself as you can so that writing isn’t a stressor. You’ll be surprised by how many ideas come out of just freely writing.”

I don’t know if this is the best Chair’s Corner I could have written. But, voila! It is done. And sometimes good is better than perfect. That’s some advice I give my students too. They write several papers in my theory class and so I often tell them that done is better than unsubmitted. As a teacher, I’m here to provide feedback on formal writing assignments that will help students see how they can improve their writing, express their understanding of the theory they read, and develop a sociological voice. I can’t provide feedback if I don’t have anything to read.

So, dear reader and colleagues, please accept my assignment. It was late but it is done. I’m surprised at how many ideas emerged as I just started writing. I certainly didn’t know this was the direction I would take. But I think it fits with the theme of this issue - Advice from Above and Below – quite nicely. I’m excited to read the advice given by others in this issue. I look forward to hearing what you think so that I can improve. I think I have a few chances to get better. But it will probably never be perfect!