Rebekah Sims & Sharon Hunter, University of Strathclyde Institute of Education
Contact: rebekah.sims@strath.ac.uk
Writing in university courses brings many challenges, as well as growth opportunities. Here are some resources to inspire you to take the next step in writerly growth.
Generally, writing confidence refers to how capable you feel about your ability to carry out writing tasks in different settings. Drawing on our work with teacher education students, we break down writing confidence in the university teacher education setting into four domains: academic (the specific university literacy skills required), emotional (how you feel about your ability to do the writing using those skills), social (connecting with other students about academic writing and leveraging peer support), and environmental (creating the right space(s) to carry out writing tasks).
Writing confidence and writing abilities are not the same thing — the first is how you feel about writing; the latter is what you’re able to do. Still, confidence plays a role in academic success, as it helps you set goals, complete tasks, and persist when you experience difficulties (Lewis, 2016). Lower levels of writing confidence can limit engagement in university settings (Zotzmann & Sheldrake, 2021). Thus, it’s a good idea to spend time exploring ways to strengthen your writing — both how you feel about it, and your specific skills.
We’ve been inspired by Helen Sword’s work on academic writing for university research professionals (https://writersdiet.com/base/) and recommend her work for a deep-dive on building writing habits, especially at the doctoral and academic professional levels. Our work and this list of resources are meant for undergraduate and initial teacher education students.
Academic Resources
It can seem overwhelming to think about all the various skills that go into academic writing. Here are some resources to help you break them down.
Level Up Your Essays: How To Get Better Grades in University: https://unsw.press/books/level-up-your-essays/. Check your university library for an e-copy!
The Purdue OWL: https://owl.purdue.edu/. Would any list of writing resources be complete without this classic gathering spot for all things writing-related? Nope! It’s got to be here. Take some time to explore this comprehensive set of resources.
Emotions and Writing
Writing brings up all sorts of emotions, from fascination to a desire to chuck it all out the window. Here are a couple resources that can help you tackle the emotions that arise.
Writing with Pleasure: https://www.helensword.com/writing-with-pleasure — this is a great book for helping you relax and enjoy your writing. Check your university library for an e-copy!
When you feel you’re writing isn’t good enough and need some tough love: https://goinswriter.com/never-good-enough/
Being a Social Writer
No one *has* to write with others — for some people, the idea of a regular writing group raises hives! Still, it’s lonely if all your writing time is solitary and you don’t talk to others about writing.
The Writer’s Cookbook: https://www.writerscookbook.com/social-writer-solitary-writer/
Why is it hard to share your writing with others? https://www.palatinate.org.uk/secretive-storytellers-why-is-it-so-hard-to-share-your-creative-writing-with-others/
Creating Your Writing Environment
This is the fun part to improve — mostly, we recommend looking for inspiration and then seeing what you can gather from your house, your mum’s closet, or the nearest charity shop. Claim some space, however small, and make it yours.
The Writer’s Cookbook: https://www.writerscookbook.com/whats-the-ideal-writing-environment/
Office design inspiration: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/home-offices-slideshow and https://www.pinterest.co.uk/katybee/cute-office-spaces/
Creating a writing-friendly environment (written for youth): https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/blog/writing-friendly-environment
General Stress
University life — and everything that goes on around it — can create stress. If you need more support, first, try your university’s student wellbeing services. Asking for help is a good thing to do, and lots of people are in a similar boat. You’re not alone!
In the UK, you can also use the following services:
· Samaritans is a free, confidential support organisation for anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts. Phone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org anytime.
· Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text Shout to 85258 for a reply.
· Breathing Space is a confidential phoneline for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16, feeling low, anxious, or depressed. Phone 0800 83 85 87 (All weekend and Monday to Friday 6pm – 2am).
111 is the NHS number for urgent health issues and 999 is for emergencies.
References
Lewis, K. D. (2016). Generation 1.5 Preservice Teachers: The Evolution of Their Writing Confidence Levels and Self-Efficacy in Writing Intensive Courses. The Reading Matrix, 16(1), 18.
Zotzmann, K., & Sheldrake, R. (2021). Postgraduate students’ beliefs about and confidence for academic writing in the field of applied linguistics. Journal of Second Language Writing, 52, 100810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2021.100810