2008 Woodie Awards
Writing Across Boarders
By: Heather Hammons
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
More than 600,000 international students are studying in the United States. and many feel Americans are too direct.
"In my country we like suspense," said Afganhistan graduate student Mohibullah Israr. "Here in America, they like to get straight to the point."
On Sunday, the Writing Center and English as Second Language Association hosted Writing Across Borders. A documentary film that featured many international students who had come to the United States and have struggled with English writing was shown.
In the documentary, students said one of the biggest differences was that their cultures go in circles around and build up to the main point in their writing. Yet many of these students had points knocked off their papers for not stating their main point immediately in English papers.
After the documentary film, Writing Across Borders featured a panel discussion that helped the audience realize what it is like for international students, said Mary Ann Crawford, English professor and director of the CMU Writing Center.
The panel was made up of many international graduate students, each discussed their personal experiences with the audience.
There were also English Language Institute Instructors Mimi Doyle and Jack Drolet who were available to answer questions from the audience.
Israr said citation in written papers have been an issue for him because they are not as important in his country as they are in America.
"In my country, nobody knows what a copyright is," Israr said.
China Graduate Student Hua Ju was a member of the panel. She said she was surprised at how direct Americans are.
"When we are writing, we might not get to the main point until the third paragraph," Hua said. "We are just going to need time to get used to it."
Israr said in order for international students to better their writing skills, they need to read and practice.
"We have to read, read, read, and then practice," Israr said. "Practice is very important."
About 30 people showed up and enjoyed complimentary cookies and cider.
"I'm happy with the outcome and I think we did just fine," said Maggie Mieske, temporary professor of English. "I wish that we had had more time, I know that we could've talked longer."
Mieske said it is hard to adapt to the American culture and that many international students probably saw themselves in the same shoes as the students in the documentary.
news@cm-life.com
"In my country we like suspense," said Afganhistan graduate student Mohibullah Israr. "Here in America, they like to get straight to the point."
On Sunday, the Writing Center and English as Second Language Association hosted Writing Across Borders. A documentary film that featured many international students who had come to the United States and have struggled with English writing was shown.
In the documentary, students said one of the biggest differences was that their cultures go in circles around and build up to the main point in their writing. Yet many of these students had points knocked off their papers for not stating their main point immediately in English papers.
After the documentary film, Writing Across Borders featured a panel discussion that helped the audience realize what it is like for international students, said Mary Ann Crawford, English professor and director of the CMU Writing Center.
The panel was made up of many international graduate students, each discussed their personal experiences with the audience.
There were also English Language Institute Instructors Mimi Doyle and Jack Drolet who were available to answer questions from the audience.
Israr said citation in written papers have been an issue for him because they are not as important in his country as they are in America.
"In my country, nobody knows what a copyright is," Israr said.
China Graduate Student Hua Ju was a member of the panel. She said she was surprised at how direct Americans are.
"When we are writing, we might not get to the main point until the third paragraph," Hua said. "We are just going to need time to get used to it."
Israr said in order for international students to better their writing skills, they need to read and practice.
"We have to read, read, read, and then practice," Israr said. "Practice is very important."
About 30 people showed up and enjoyed complimentary cookies and cider.
"I'm happy with the outcome and I think we did just fine," said Maggie Mieske, temporary professor of English. "I wish that we had had more time, I know that we could've talked longer."
Mieske said it is hard to adapt to the American culture and that many international students probably saw themselves in the same shoes as the students in the documentary.
news@cm-life.com
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