“Writing is one of the few products we have to offer the real world,” said Daniel Ellis, an English professor at St. Bonaventure University.
Students and professors said writing well prepares students not only for college, but also for their job through good communication skills.
“It’s a way to communicate effectively and show your level of intelligence,” said Frankie Matuszak, a freshman biology major.
Nick Hillman said writing well helps students in their college courses.
“It helps you clearly answer assigned questions so professors understand you,” said Hillman, a freshman political science major.
“It helps you clearly answer assigned questions so professors understand you,” said Hillman, a freshman political science major.
Each professor had his or her own definition of writing well, but all agreed with Tracy Schrems’ “three C’s.”
“Clarity, coherence and caring,” said Schrems, an English lecturer. “Writing is an extension of who you are. If you don’t care enough to follow the three C’s, then what does that say about you?”
Denny Wilkins, a professor of journalism and mass communication, has written more than 10,000 news stories. He said taking the time to read and look up words increases students’ vocabulary, positively influencing their writing skills.
Students said all jobs require writing well.
“I want to be a state trooper after I graduate,” said Eric Marasco.
Marasco, a freshman political science major, said writing reports on speeding tickets and firing guns requires effective communication skills.
“If I don’t clearly express what I did, I could get in trouble,” said Marasco.
Other students said not knowing how to write well makes a person less credible.
“When someone writes a Tweet about the world but spells something wrong, I automatically judge them,” said Marissa Sangiacomo, a senior journalism and mass communication major. “They lose credibility right then and there. How can you be a reliable source if you can’t spell?”
Sangiacomo, a Writing Lab assistant, said a most students seeking help in this branch of the Teaching and Learning Center want to learn from and understand their mistakes.
“It’s great to see enthusiastic students willing and wanting to improve their writing,” said Sangiacomo.
Sangiacomo said she hopes to become an editor for a publishing company upon graduation. She said she needs good writing skills to edit others’ writing.
Professors said writing well doesn’t come naturally—students have to want it and work for it.
“Your desire to express yourself, communicate in an organized fashion and react intelligently to something will make you a good writer,” said Barry Gan, a professor of philosophy.
Gan, the director of The Center for Nonviolence, said writing well can minimize conflict.
“If people don’t carefully and clearly express their opinions, others might misinterpret what they wrote, causing conflict,” said Gan.
Students said preparing for job searches entails writing well.
“We’re going to be writing cover letters soon,” said Shannon Weiss. “If you can’t do that, then your chances of getting a good job are slim.”
Weiss, a sophomore international studies major, said she wants to become a Spanish or Italian translator. She said good communication skills require knowing how to write well.
Carole McNall agreed.
“I’ve been on search committees where the first way we narrow down the candidates is by looking at their cover letters,” said McNall, a journalism and mass communication professor. “If there is one grammatical error, it’s out. The candidates need to be professional and if they can’t proofread, then they’re not the best for the job."
Professors differed on whether Bona students can write well.
“In very round numbers, about 10 percent of students I teach write extremely well,” said Rick Simpson, a professor of English. “About 15 percent write not quite as well but still pretty good, 50 percent write okay and 25 percent really struggle.”
Ellis, who previously taught at community college, had a different view.
“They seem to write and express their opinions well,” said Ellis. “Maybe teaching at schools with lower standards in the past makes them look better. They know style and control, though, which are important.”
Students looking to work on their writing skills should go to the Plassmann Writing Center, said Ellis, its director.
“The mantra at the Plassmann Writing Center is ‘We don’t make better papers, we make better writers,’” said Ellis.
Schrems said the writing center could be a useful tool if students want to improve their writing.
“The grad students aren’t there to proofread your paper,” said Schrems. “They are there to help students learn from their mistakes, not just fix their mistakes.”
Students and professors agreed writing well can be useful in all facets of life.
“It’s a way to react to the world,” said Gan. “We’re not mere animals, we’re human. Writing well is a way for us to influence public policy, people and the world we live in.”
JMC 202 Story
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