Grammar workshops held each week

If you want to earn better grades on papers, increase your writing abilities and become more grammatically fit, then the Writing Center staff has a workshop for you—and it's free.

A grammar workshop is held every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in room 104 of the McDonald Building. Grammar subjects ranging from punctuation to comma confusion are taught by members of the Tutoring and Writing Center.

"This will help students who would like to better their writing, and who have professors expecting more," said Kiera Durfee, a senior English major from Indianapolis. "The purpose is to increase writing skills campus wide."

Durfee is the mastermind behind the workshop operation. She had an idea of how to increase student writing skills, and then pitched it to the English faculty.

"I noticed that there was a problem on campus, so I pushed the project and it was accepted," she said. "A lot of students go into the Writing Center to have their papers proofread, but the Writing Center doesn't proofread papers."

Pink fliers listing dates of when subjects are taught can be found around campus on multiple pin boards. Also, students can pick up a flier at the Writing Center. A functioning website is currently underway to announce upcoming workshop information.

Durfee said the workshops have been successful so far with students leaving with a better understanding of grammar concepts. Even those who teach the workshops love them.

"I'm really excited to teach how to use commas because I love helping others, and commas are my specialty," said Brittney Roberts, a senior English major from St. George. "These workshops will be beneficial for every type of student at the college because writing is used in most career fields."

The Writing Center staff encourages all students with any level of writing skills to come and benefit from the workshop lessons. Each workshop lasts 50 minutes, and refreshments are provided.