Elizabeth Kahn, Fine Arts
Interviewed by Daisy Hallock
What do you perceive as a good process to writing an essay, journal article, etc.?
Dr. Kahn perceived a good process to writing as finding a personal position and focusing on a topic that you will be studying and then writing on. As the writer it is necessary to ask what are you really trying to answer. Contemplating is a great way to start questions that will help develop a outline.
What is your writing process?
First, she finds detailed and general sources on her topic then writes notes from them. From her written notes, Dr. Kahn then develops key issues which need to be covered. She has a small forma,t so her ideas are not in a jumbled mess, thus causing her to get lost and drift away from her focus issues. For Dr. Kahn, it is difficult to begin writing; she uses a typewriter and not a computer. She is technologically challenged, and they scare her. She edits her work in a private and quiet environment with a pen in her hand, then revises and finally completes the final draft.
How does writing not just record knowledge but actually create it?
It is important to realize that any writing piece represents a subjective position(s) so knowledge should be uniquely created. By taking a personal opinion one is able to learn more than writing on issues that are already argued.
What does "writing to learn" mean to you?
When reading a article, think of ideas and questions in your head that will develop your argument further. It is important to respond to your reading with personal opinions that "lay in waiting" so to speak, and help to construct your argument. Dr. Kahn finds it exciting when you are writing and creating a point that you just thought of, causing you to stumble on a new perspective.
What is your process to grading and responding to student's papers?
She needs to sit in a good quiet space with no distractions. Her favorite spot is in her study at home. She holds a pen in her hand and focuses on making comment that are both positive and negative. She believes that having positive comments, the student will not be discouraged but proud of parts of his/her paper.
What should a strong paper in an upper-level course entail?
The paper should be posing new questions with originality and creativity. The writer needs to come up with new perspectives on the ideas posed and be critical. It is important to use your own vocabulary and voice because many times students use words that are too formal for their topic and are inappropriate for approaching their readers. It is important to use notes from class lectures, read scholarly articles/ journals, and books to get general background knowledge. The writer should pay attention to organizing their material and how they should present it so it flows throughout the paper and not just in one paragraph. The writer basically should not just list off the readings. Finally, students should take their essays seriously and not just write them the night before they are due.