Stony Brook University’s Program in Writing and Rhetoric (PWR) hosted its first National Day of Writing event on Thursday, Oct. 20 to highlight the work of talented writers on campus.
The National Day of Writing is a nationwide event founded by the National Council of English Teachers that encourages students, teachers, professors and professionals at all levels to celebrate writing as both a tool and an art form.
The event was held in the SAC lobby from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Undergraduate Program Director for PWR Dr. Patricia Medved described it as “a celebration of student writing to correspond with the National Day of Writing.”
Students were able to stop by to write and post six-word memoirs or stories on a whiteboard displayed in the SAC Why Lobby. The department also gave out writing tips via Rice Crispy treats with writable wrappers.
According to Dr. Laura Marciano, a lecturer in the PWR and organizer of the event, the day is a chance “to reflect on how writing and critical analysis are such an integral part of our professional development and personal lives.”
The event was also meant to increase student awareness and interest in the writing minor.
“I think that when students reflect on how integral writing is to all they do academically, professionally and personally, they will be quite encouraged to devote their time to improving their writing, and hopefully inspired to pursue a minor in writing that helps them excel in any field,” Marciano said.
According to the department bulletin, within the minor offered by the department, students can learn styles applicable in the STEM job market such as academic writing, grant writing and professional writing. Students can also explore more creative writing styles like the personal essay or environmental humanities.
Medved said the writing minor includes a variety of courses that are tailored to suit any student. “A writing minor complements any major,” she said.
Alex Yurkovich, an undergraduate writing minor studying history and psychology who visited the event, explained that “The minor itself is very straightforward and while I am already studying two majors, it fits in really easily to my schedule.”
For students already enrolled in the writing minor, the department hosted an event later in the day for students to share excerpts of their own writing and listen to others’ work while enjoying free pizza.
This second event, attended by about 30 minors and 10 faculty and staff, lasted about 90 minutes and featured undergraduates from a number of majors reading some of their work they had written in the writing minor.
Medved said that this event was a way to “celebrate writing that has been produced by some of our minors, [who were encouraged to] bring other students interested in hearing some of the great student work that we instructors get to experience every day.”
Students interested in learning more about the writing minor can learn more on Stony Brook’s official website.
