Post-Event Report and Reflection – “Writer’s Workshop”Alison, Madeline, Jacob, Tiffany, Kierra

Executive SummaryOur event, the Writer’s Workshop, was held on Monday, October 7 from 5-7 pm in

Copley Thaw Hall at Park University. We ultimately achieved our goal of helping students improve a piece of writing through peer feedback. Although the turnout was low, the two students who attended expressed their appreciation for the feedback they received.

We learned from experience that advertising an event is extremely important. We should have done every possible mode of advertisement possible, including posting flyers around campus and sending an email to all students. We should have scheduled the event at a time when more students would be on campus. We now also know that we must be specific about the exact name of the building, Copley-Thaw Hall (as opposed to Copley Quad) when ordering food because of our delayed arrival time for the cookies.

Our event did not go perfectly, but we learned how to plan events more effectively in the future and the students who did attend reported getting a lot out of the experience.

Introduction/OverviewA writer’s workshop can be an informal or formal gathering of writers with the common

goal of giving and receiving feedback on each other’s writing. Writer’s workshops in a college setting allow students to improve their writing through collaboration.

Midterms can be a stressful time for college students, especially when they are assigned a lot of papers. My group of students in Professional Writing decided to alleviate some of this stress by providing a space for Park students to work together to make sure their pieces of writing for the class were as good as they could possibly be. On Monday, October 7 from 5-7 pm, my group hosted a writer’s workshop in Copley-Thaw Hall (room 300). The event was open to all Park students from all disciplines, not just English majors. This was decided because allowing students from different disciplines to read each other’s writing can help provide viewpoints that they may not have considered otherwise. The ultimate goal of our event was to help students improve a piece of writing through peer feedback, either to improve their grade or their personal growth as a writer.

A total of two people attended our workshop. This was a much lower turnout than we expected, but the students who did attend reported that they got a lot out of the experience. When the first participant arrived, we invited her to sit with the group and share her paper. She got feedback from Kierra first, and then she got feedback from me. The plan was for attendees to trade papers, but since the students attended at separate times, this was not possible. We just chose to read her paper while she waited and answered questions we had that came up. The next attendee showed up after the first left. Her paper was also read by two group members while she waited. All feedback given was based on the instruction sheet made by Kierra. After receiving feedback on their piece, each student was given a slip with questions regarding the success of the event. Both students expressed in their exit slip that they found the experience to be helpful.

They said that the feedback they received really helped them understand where they needed to go with the rest of their paper. Even though only two students attended, we were able to help these two students become better writers.

FinancialsOur original budget plan when we were planning on the event taking place in Copley

Quad was as follows (see Appendix A):

32-pack of Nestle Pure Life water bottles (x2): $7.9635-oz container of cookies: $9.98Total budget: $17.94

However, when we had to switch the location to Copley 300, that meant we had to use Fresh Ideas catering for our cookies and water. Our final cost for 3 dozen cookies through Fresh Ideas was $20.85.

SponsorshipsThe Scribe was asked to sponsor the writer’s workshop. The Scribe, which is a literary

magazine published by Park University students, was asked in particular because the workshop could produce work that could potentially be published in the magazine. The Scribe’s advisor was contacted about sponsoring the event via an official funding request (see Appendix B). Glenn Lester, The Scribe’s advisor, agreed to the terms presented, and immediately requested that The Scribe be granted the $20.85 from their budget line through the Department of English and Modern Languages.

Marketing/Media/PromotionA detailed poster on the event was created by Jacob for distribution to students via email

and on-campus bulletin boards (see Appendix C). Because of a miscommunication about the delegation of responsibilities, the flyers were not distributed around campus. A form was submitted to have our event promoted in the Pirate Weekly Update email, but it was not included in the email for unknown reasons. An email was sent out by The Scribe to their members informing them of the event. The group also shared information about the event with their Professional Writing class.

VenueThe event was held in room 300 of Copley-Thaw Hall. This classroom was chosen for its

large size, but a more central location would have served us better. We originally planned on holding the workshop in the Copley Quad conference room, but we had to change locations due to scheduling conflicts. We reserved the classroom, so it was unlocked and empty for us. We set up the tables in small groups to promote discussion between attendees. Instructions for giving feedback were displayed on the board to be accessed easily. The snacks were on their own table

by the door. Copies of The Scribe were placed in the middle of each group of tables for students to read and take with them.

Division of LaborAlison created an RSVP form with a QR code to use for the flyer (see Appendix D),

applied to be in the weekly Park student activities email (form was filled out but we were not included in the email), facilitated all interactions with The Scribe’s advisor Glenn Lester, sent out an official funding request to The Scribe, and sent one check-in to Dr. Kikendall (see Appendix I).

Maddy contacted Fresh Ideas regarding catering, created the assessment sheet for attendees (see Appendix E), emailed professors about the event, and sent one check-in to Dr. Kikendall (see Appendix J).

Jacob created a flyer, sent one check-in to Dr. Kikendall, and wrote the original budget plan.

Tiffany facilitated the event, directing students on what to do and explaining the process of giving effective feedback.

Kierra created an instruction sheet about how to give effective feedback (see Appendix F).

Finally, all group members participated in giving feedback to attendees.

AssessmentUltimately, since we only had two students show up to our event, our event cannot be

counted as a success. However, the two students who attended reported that the feedback they got helped them a lot. Our ultimate goal in hosting this event was to help students improve their writing, which we accomplished, although only with two students. However, two students were able to get the feedback and the help they were in need of which that was the purpose of this project.

RecommendationsThe biggest issue we dealt with was only having two attendees at our event. Several

things could have been done to improve our turnout. We should have posted the posters around campus, sent out a mass email, and chosen a more central location and a more convenient time for the event. Miscommunication and misunderstanding of responsibilities was the underlying issue here. We should have had a backup plan in case one member was unable to complete their assigned task.

Another challenge we faced was receiving the food we ordered through Fresh Ideas in the correct building. A remedy to this would be to make sure the location is specified as “Copley-Thaw Hall room 300” rather than “Copley 300” as to not be confused with the dormitories, Copley Quad.

AppendicesA. Budget plan

The plan for our event is for students to come in and share their writing that they want to have reviewed or analyzed. The students will only need to bring their own paper copies of the piece of writing that they want to have analyzed.

The location we will be holding the event at will have tables and chairs available for usage, so we will not need to add them to the budget.The majority of the budget will be in regards to snacks and water that we will provide. Given the time of day of the event, and the general laid back and comparatively quick nature of the event, only light snacks will be needed. Since the focus is on reviewing and editing writing, having excess food and beverages available would be more tedious than it would need to be.

Therefore, we will only be providing water bottles and cookies. The Meeting House does not require us to purchase food from Fresh Ideas, so we will provide our own selection. A 32-pack of Nestle Pure Life Water Bottles costs $3.98. A 35 oz container of cookies would cost $9.98. Both of these are based on prices provided at Walmart stores. We will need two packs of water bottles along with the cookie tray (each person will get one cookie), our budget is $18.

B. Funding request

Dear Professor Lester, As you know, from 5:00-7:00 pm on October 7, 2019, a small group of students will host a writer’s workshop event in collaboration with The Scribe. This event, in which students will participate in peer response sessions with their fellow students, will benefit students by providing assistance and input on a piece of writing they are working on. In order to make the event as enjoyable as possible, we plan to serve cookies and water. Our budget for this is $20.85, as quoted to us by Fresh Ideas, Park’s food service company. Since the event is focused on the development of students’ writing, something The Scribe also seeks to promote, we would like to ask The Scribe (and you as the faculty advisor) to consider providing the $20.85 for us to purchase the food. We plan to encourage students to submit their completed work or any other work that they are proud of, to The Scribe. This will benefit The Scribe by increasing the number of submissions as well as awareness of the club. We will, of course, list The Scribe as a co-sponsor of the event on all marketing materials. Thank you for working with us and considering this request. Sincerely,Alison Overcash

C. Poster

D. RSVP formhttps://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=HL_-gxrsTESocSSwsb8sYhtEADBocDFBtydpDCkm7TFUNUpONTZBUlU2SjRaWkdIN1JDMUNDNUFGRi4u

E. Event assessment sheet

Thank you for coming to our event!

We want to hear your feedback on our event.

Name:

Major:

How did you hear about the event?

What did you enjoy?

What could we have done better?

Any other comments:

F. How to give feedback sheet

Giving feedback for someone else’s work is hard. But all I can tell you is to be fair. Makesure you understand what you are reading so you can give the right feelings in your feedback. Isuggest you read the whole thing thoroughly. Read it two or three times. The person that wrotethis is in a vulnerable position having you read their work. Don’t skim through it and read itdeeply.If anything, you can ask the writer questions about their work. This workshop isn’t toshow how much you know but to help the writer expand on their potential. With this feedback itwill help the writer feel what works and what needs revision to make it better. If the writer needsproofreading, then you can suggest a line edit instead of picking at every little grammar andspelling. Don’t make your feedback overwhelming. Just choose a few things that popped out toyou that you liked or needs a little work.Your giving feedback, not doing a review, so make it simple. This is a work in progressso find ways to suggest improvements. Feedback is not declaring the work flaws and walkingaway. This is all to share your ideas and tips. When giving feedback your focus is on what thewriter can do to improve the next draft. Feedback is important so make sure you let the writerknow what you like and what could need a little more work.

G. Project proposal

Define/Describe Project

Our project will involve hosting a Writer’s Workshop event at Park before our fall break. Students at this time in the semester often have lots of papers and writing that they have to complete quickly, so this event will benefit all Park students by helping them improve a piece of writing and, as a result, their grades.

Purpose and AudienceThe writer’s workshop will be open to all Park University students. The purpose is to help students get feedback and suggestions for a piece of writing from their peers.

Logistics The event will take place on Monday, October 7 at 5:00 pm in the McCoy Meeting House. Tables and chairs will be set up to allow for easy face-to-face interaction. The only thing students will need to bring are the writings they want feedback for. Each student should bring two copies of their piece, whether these are paper copies or digital copies. The students will get into groups of two or three and trade papers. While reading each others’ papers, they can make comments in the margin if they would like. After each student has had a chance to read each others’ papers, they will verbally discuss the feedback they have based on the “how to give feedback” sheet that Kierra created and printed out.

Budget and FundingWe will not need to request any funding for this event because we will not have any expenses.

Marketing/PublicityWe will advertise our Writer’s Workshop event using multiple methods. Jacob will be creating a flyer for the event, which will be posted on The Scribe’s Instagram account and distributed around Park’s home campus. We will also be sending out an email to all Park home campus students advertising the event. The email will describe what the event entails, who is welcome to come, and what to bring. We will inform professors in all disciplines of the event and have them share this information with their students.

Division of Labor and Communication PlanAlison will create a Google Form for students to RSVP for the event and send out an email blast to all Parkville home campus students. The email will include a description of the event, what to bring, and the link to RSVP.Tiffany will monitor and lead the event.Madeline will create the assessment survey to send to everybody that RSVP’d to the event. Madeline will also reserve the Meetin’ House for the event.Jacob will make a flyer for the event.Kierra will create a handout explaining how to give effective feedback. This handout will be distributed to attendees at the event and discussed before breaking into groups to read each others’ work.

AssessmentA survey will be sent out to everyone who RSVP for the event via email after the event takes place. The survey will contain how they heard about the event, whether or not they thought they received good feedback and if they think this event benefited their piece of writing, and finally if they enjoyed attending the event/additional comments on the whole thing.

H. Timeline

Dates Plan Individual tasks and who is completing them

9/11 Timeline and Budget will be submitted and awaiting approval from Dr. K.

Alison Overcash, Jacob Brents, Kierra Harper,

Madeline Keller, Tiffany Miller

9/16 First check-in with Dr. K. Approval for sharing information of the event via email to Park students, approval for the Meeting House for the location of our event and budget approval. Maddy will be emailing Boisen for this to be booked and confirmed. We have a brief feedback sheet given to the attendees before the event begins so that they can give effective feedback to the paper they read. This will also be turned in for approval by Dr. K. The budget and request for funds from the Scribe will be completed and will also need approval.

Alison Overcash- requesting funds from the ScribeKierra Harper- completing and receiving approval for feedback sheet and fixing it if need beMadeline Keller- requesting the Meeting House for the night of the event

9/23 Second check-in with Dr. K. Continue work on what needs to be approved. Jacob’s flyer that will be posted on the Scribe’s Instagram account will be turned in for approval.

Jacob Brents- finishing and receiving approval for the flyers and fixing if need beAlison Overcash- RSVP form, receiving approval and

RSVP google form for the event by Alison will be submitted for approval. Once approved both items will be sent out to their respective recipients.

sending it out

9/30 Final check-in. Our end survey that will be handed out at the end of the event will need approval at this time from Dr. K.

10/7 Event Date at 5:00 pm at the Meeting House at Park University. Group members will meet at 4:30 pm to ensure all materials are in place. Our assessment survey will be handed out during the event and then collected as an ‘exit ticket’ after the event.

Alison Overcash, Jacob Brents, Kierra Harper,

Madeline Keller, Tiffany Miller

Madeline Keller- Collecting surveys after event

10/14 Turning in Collaborative Report and Individual Reflection

Alison Overcash, Jacob Brents, Kierra Harper,

Madeline Keller, Tiffany Miller

I. Check-in #1

Dr. Kikendall,

Our event planning has been going very smoothly. The most notable difference from our proposal is that our event will now be held in Copley 300 rather than the McCoy Meetin’ House. Since the Meetin’ House was booked on the day we decided on, we decided to switch to a different location rather than a different date to avoid more scheduling conflicts.

Since the event will no longer be held in the Meetin’ House, this means that we will now have to purchase our cookies and drinks from Fresh Ideas rather than Walmart. We have contacted Andrew Strecker, the director of food services at Park University, and he informed us that cookies from Fresh Ideas are $6.95 a dozen. We plan to buy 3 dozen cookies, which will be plenty assuming about 20 people show up. We will not need to purchase water bottles, because

Fresh Ideas will provide a water container with cups. As a result of these changes, our budget has increased from $18 to $20.85. This increased budget will not be an issue with The Scribe, which is who we are requesting funding from.

We are slightly behind schedule for requesting funds from The Scribe, but this is because we had to figure out the new costs for the snacks through Fresh Ideas. The funding request will be sent as soon as possible now that we have found out the price of cookies. We have completed the “How to Give Feedback” sheet to use at the event, and Copley 300 has been reserved.

Our next steps are to finish and receive approval for flyers and an RSVP form by Monday, September 23. We are on track to complete these tasks by this date.

J. Check-in #2

Hello Professor K, this is Jacob Brents. I am providing the weekly progress report for my group with Alison Overcash, Tiffany Miller, Kierra Harper, and Madeline Keller.

Things are still moving smoothly from the previous report. We are looking into getting food for our event from the school, and I have completed an ideal final version of the poster we plan to have for the event. I have attached it to the email so you can check to make sure it is acceptable or if I need to make some adjustments. Once that is complete, our team will get this to various outlets that will spread this info around the school.

K. Check-in #3

Dr. Kikendall,

This is our final progress update before our event takes place next Monday.

We are finishing all of our pre-event tasks within the stated times on our timeline. Madeline completed the survey that will be administered at the end of the event and also has put in a request for the cookies and water with fresh ideas, Alison has contacted the Scribe and got the funding situation figured out, as well as sent out the RSVP form for the event and Jacob got the posters approved and put out.

That being said we did run into a few bumps along the way. First off, the inquiry for the cookies from Fresh Ideas took some time to figure out. We were unsure of who to contact and how to go about ordering this food for the event, but with your help we got the food request sent out and are just awaiting a response. We also have our funding lined up for this purchase. REgarding the posters, there was some delay with them being approved and put out, however that has been resolved and they are present around campus.

Overall, we are right on schedule for our event. The only further tasks we have to complete are printing our feedback guidelines and our survey sheets prior to the start of the Writer’s Workshop.