November 5, 2019

Earlier this fall, Drexel Libraries staff had the opportunity to participate in a four-part writing workshop presented by colleagues from Drexel’s University Writing Program. Dan Driscoll, Associate Director for the University Writing Program, and Scott Warnock, Director for the University Writing Program, lead the sessions, and staff enjoyed discovering writing tips and exploring their creative sides.

During the workshop, Professors Driscoll and Warnock shared common approaches to writing and led brainstorming and content planning exercises to build staff writing skills and inspire them to develop new and exciting content for the Libraries’ blog and other communication channels. The final two sessions were dedicated writing workshops, during which staff had the opportunity to share work and receive helpful feedback from colleagues.

Enjoy some take-aways staff shared following the sessions:

—I really appreciated leaving the sessions with revised writing pieces.

—[I enjoyed] discovering what topics my colleagues find interesting and learning more about those topics and the projects they’re working on through reading and discussion during the workshops.

—Dan shared a tip during the last summary about writing a quick summary for each paragraph to help you analyze the flow or profession of your work. I will use that again.

—Blogs (or any serial writing) need to be fed.  Map out multiple topics in advance so you aren’t trying to think of content at the last minute.

—I tend to censor myself a bit when I write, being encouraged to avoid that (at least during my initial drafts) was useful. I also enjoyed the exercise dealing with writing clearly and simply during the fourth session.

The workshop series was an initiative that aimed to encourage staff to expand their writing skills to create content for the many venues the Libraries is exploring to communicate its contributions to the University. The presenters used blogging as a newer venue for sharing expertise and service information, but did so to introduce and remind participants of tips to organize thoughts, be aware of persona, and select fewer words for effective writing, regardless of communication channel.  Aside from actual writing tips individuals may have gained, the development opportunity was valuable to the Libraries’ strategic efforts to strengthen its human resources.