What to say to a developing writer who is freaked out by writing

My top 7 list for advisors, mentors, and bosses supporting students and early career writers in STEM

We actually can help students and other developing writers get better at writing! (And we should.) (Image: wocintechchat.com)

Last week, I shared the FREE, evidence-based writing program I co-developed to support graduate student writers at my institution. As I wrote, in six weeks, we were able to achieve statistically significant improvements in students’ perceptions of themselves as writers able to improve at writing.

To confidently use the curriculum we report/offer in that paper, you might appreciate a bit more context. So, this week, I’m sharing several resources I think writing mentors¹ should read (or would appreciate reading) to enhance their approach to supporting developing writers².

Hurdles to even starting to write

Demystifying Academic Writing: Reflections on Emotions, Know-How and Academic Identity from Cameron et al. 2009.

Excerpt from the abstract: “Writing is the foundation of academic practice, yet academic writing is seldom explicitly taught. As a result many beginning (…