Exploring the Fundamentals of Expository Writing with Peer Tutors

This article was part of a series by the Board of Student Academic Support Services (SASS) that interviewed OHS course peer tutors about the courses they tutor. You can book an appointment with these peer tutors through the OHS Writing Center, which can be found on the OHS Gateway site. 

SASS: What did you enjoy about this course?

Ivy Mach (‘19): I enjoyed the in-depth analysis of the characters, and learning how to write a cohesive and persuasive paragraph.

Siddharth Pant (‘24): It provided many opportunities for thoughtful discussion and analysis, as well as plentiful exercise of writing skills and techniques.

SASS: What challenged you the most in this course? How did you overcome those challenges?

Ivy: I felt most challenged in this course by the overall difficulty of the assignment and expectations. I overcame these challenges by taking advantage of the Writing Center, and by taking note of any feedback I received from the teacher. 

Siddharth: The most challenging part of the course is present solely at the beginning of the year; adopting and adjusting to a writing style is often difficult, as it takes much practice to learn a particular method of writing.

SASS: What tips do you have that could be useful to students taking this course?

Ivy: Don't be afraid to ask questions and email outside of class if you need clarification about an assignment. The teachers don't mind! The Writing Center is a great resource for building up your paper. It's also a good idea to go to office hours for larger assignments to get your teacher's opinion of your work, not just a writing instructor. And ALWAYS COME TO CLASS PREPARED! Don't think you can sneak in the reading in the middle of class!

Siddharth: I believe that it is important to know that when taking this course (as well as most other writing courses) is that it is important to engage copiously in class discussions as well as to fully absorb the text which is analyzed in assignments. This deepens one's understanding of the course material and is met with greater success in written work. 

SASS: About how much time a week did you spend working on assignments and preparing for discussion sessions in this course?

Ivy: I probably spent about 4 hours a week working on assignments and preparing for discussions.

SASS: What was your favorite topic covered in this course?

Ivy: My favorite topic covered in this course was probably "Was Hamlet actually mad?" I found the discussion really intriguing. 

Siddharth: I enjoyed the topics of history's impact on writing in the middle ages and early Renaissance.

SASS: What assignments did you enjoy doing in this course?

Ivy: I loved making a soundtrack for Hamlet — Taylor Swift was a staple!

Siddharth: I particularly enjoyed the major essays for each semester, since they functioned as a chance to show your best writing work while also working in a larger format. I additionally enjoyed the "Hamlet Soundtracks" assignment as it provided opportunities for creativity and deeper literary analysis.

SASS: Did you have any experiences with this course that could encourage those who are uncertain of the course to want to take it?

Ivy: This course improved my writing so much! It may seem overwhelming at first, but once you learn the expectations (and take advantage of the resources you have) the results are incredible! I look back on my writing before the class and the difference between the two is huge!

Siddharth: I believe that this course is good for any who take it, regardless of their capabilities as a writer. Feedback is always comprehensive and detailed, and one finds that writing improves with the constant practice provided by this course.