Student Writing in the Quantitative Disciplines: A Guide for College Faculty

The book introduces readers in the often-overlooked math-related fields and STEM disciplines to the ideas of writing-to-learn (WTL) and writing in the disciplines (WID). It offers a guide to the pedagogy of writing in the mathematical sciences, and gives theoretically grounded means by which writing can be used to help undergraduate students to understand mathematical concepts at all levels of study. The author equips instructors with the practical skills necessary to guide their students in writing well in math-based courses at all levels of the college curriculum, addressing various genres of mathematical writing (research articles, expository articles, abstracts, literature reviews, pedagogical writing), and provides the criteria for assessment.

Table of Contents:
Preface ix Acknowledgments xxiii About the Author xxv ONE Understanding the Role of Writing 1 Basic Definitions 2 A Brief History of Writing Across the Curriculum 3 Writing in the Disciplines and Writing-to-Learn in Quantitative Fields 6 Challenges to Implementing WAC in Quantitative Fields 11 Readings and Resources 18 TWO Writing as a Process 21 The Process at Work in a Mathematical Proof 22 The Writing Process 24 Structuring Writing Assignments 36 Sequencing Assignments Throughout a Course 42 Sequencing Writing from Course to Course 43 THREE Assessing and Responding to Student Writing 47 Recognizing Good Writing 49 Giving Guidance in Revision 53 Peer Review 63 FOUR Low-Stakes Writing and Writing-to-Learn 75 Examples of Low-Stakes Writing Activities 77 Notes on Responding to Low-Stakes Writing 94 Readings and Resources 96 F I V E Formal Writing Projects 97 Writing on Writing 98 Learning Logs 99 Student-Authored Exam Questions 101 "Great Debates" 105 Writing for Lay Audiences 108 Student-Authored Textbooks 110 Grant Writing 113 Wikis and Other Websites 117 Creative Writing Projects 119 A Word on Technical Typesetting 127 S I X Shaping the Future of Writing in the Quantitative Disciplines 129 Pushing Writing Forward 130 Teachers, Scholars, Champions 137 Recommended Reading and Resources 145 References 151 Index 159

About the Author :
Patrick Bahls is an associate professor of mathematics at the University of North Carolina, Asheville, where he also performs research in math and writing and has helped to lead his campus's writing intensive program.