For nearly 10 years, faculty in the Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse program have utilized a pedagogy which uses the "New York Times" as a textbook. (DePaul University/Michael Moore)
Are you looking for a way to place your work in an international publication? If so, draw some inspiration from the more than 20 of DePaul's first-year writing students who have had letters to the editor published in the "New York Times." This winter, the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse placed the letters on display on the third floor of the Schmitt Academic Center and will celebrate the authors at an event on Feb. 1.
"We do more than just analyze these news sources," says Michael Moore, a senior professional lecturer in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse and founder of the Times Readership Program at DePaul. "We respond actively to the text by writing in different genres and media. More than 20 students have successfully published letters to the editor, a notoriously difficult challenge."
For nearly 10 years, faculty in the Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse program have utilized a pedagogy which uses the "New York Times" as a textbook. Developed within the department, the program reaches anywhere from 500 to 600 students per quarter and encourages them to respond to editorials, features and stories that make up the newspaper's content as they study relationships among rhetoric, literate practice and effective citizenship.
"There's nothing better than having access to good persuasive writing on pressing issues - immigration, the role that technology plays in our lives, the environment, the economy, racial and economic inequality, sexual assault and social justice," Moore says. "A lot of what we cover can be applied to more than just their time in this class. It is not hard to connect these readings to what students are already thinking about, experiencing in their own lives and being exposed to in their other classes across the disciplines."
The published letters are now on display on the Lincoln Park Campus. On Thursday, Feb. 1, the department will celebrate the achievement of the students, some now alumni, and the faculty members who inspired them to jump into the public writing sphere.
"I could not be more proud of our students and faculty," says Peter Vandenberg, professor and chair of the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse. "Nothing is more rewarding for a writing teacher than to see a student's work published, and for the students to see their work in a prestigious newspaper is a complete thrill. We look forward to continuing this program and hope to see more students' work published in the future."
All members of the university community are invited to attend the celebration on Feb 1. Please RSVP to
wrd@depaul.edu.
Thursday, Feb. 1
3 p.m.
Schmitt Academic Center, third floor