students to keep their pencils moving, to write without stopping or editing; to “think” on the page.
Dr. Lundy always reads and responds to each task as “a regular reader,” one interested in ideas and not simply grammar or form. Her responses are often written in a conversational tone -- talking with the students about the ideas of the class. The first responses are not graded until the students understand the nature of the task. Often the students have to complete this activity a few times before they move beyond summarizing the text and into a more critical response.
These assignments are not about writing in order to prove a point as much as writing in order to think more critically. The benefits of these tasks are that students practice language skills, develop cognitive abilities, and think through the ideas and content of the course. At Bilkent University, Dr. Lundy uses these tasks with all student levels, from first- to fourth-year courses.
For more information about writing-enhanced activities, please contact T. Kenny Fountain at fountam@bilkent.edu.tr or ext. 2654.