Writing Center: Applications Deadline Today!
Dean’s Writing Fellow for the Writing Center – Call for Applications (Rising 2Ls & 3Ls)
BY Dr. Marilyn Dunham Smith AND Professor Regina Hillman
REMINDER: Applications are due February 8.
The Writing Center is now seeking applications from rising second-year students and rising third-year students for the position of Dean’s Writing Fellow. The position will be for the 2021-2022 academic year with the possibility of renewal for 2022-2023. The position description and application procedures follow.
The Writing Center is a resource center open exclusively to students enrolled in Legal Methods. The primary responsibility of a Writing Fellow is to hold writing conferences with first-year students who are working on research and writing assignments for Legal Methods. During a writing conference, a Writing Fellow will listen to the writer’s questions; critically read the writer’s text or examine the writer’s drafting plans; discuss the effectiveness of the text’s structure and language; instruct the writer on correct citation form; identify errors in the text’s grammar, punctuation, and mechanics; help the writer create a revision strategy; and address any remaining concerns the writer may convey. Writing conferences are held during the school week and on weekends prior to the due date of a Legal Methods writing assignment. Additional responsibilities of a Writing Fellow include attending Writing Center training, writing a sample closed memorandum, participating in the preparation and presentation of writing workshops, maintaining Writing Center records, completing Writing Center projects, and representing the Writing Center and Legal Methods program when requested at school functions.
The successful candidate will be a strong writer who excelled in Legal Methods and who demonstrated strong academic performance in completed academic courses; will possess a solid understanding of English grammar, punctuation, and mechanics; will know how to correctly create citations for legal documents, including an office memorandum and a trial brief; will be able to critically read text and identify areas needing revision; will demonstrate confidence and competence in written and oral communication; will be interested in improving personal writing abilities; and will be able to encourage and support student writers with kindly delivered recommendations. A Writing Fellow will be expected to work a total of 280 hours over the fall and spring semesters and will receive compensation of $5,000. Preliminary training may occur during the summer of 2021.
Each applicant should submit the following materials by email to Dr. Dunham Smith (mdsmith2@memphis.edu) and send a copy to Professor Regina Hillman, Coordinator of Legal Methods, (Regina.L.Hillman@memphis.edu) on or before 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 8, 2021: (i) a formal cover letter addressed to Dr. Dunham Smith, Writing Center Director, expressing interest in the position; (ii) a résumé; (iii) a transcript (unofficial is sufficient); and (iv) a writing sample, such as an office memorandum written for Legal Methods. Qualified applicants will be interviewed in February by Dr. Dunham Smith, Professor Hillman, and Writing Fellows Shelby Bess, Katelyn Jackson, and Marshall McComas. Qualified applicants must also apply through the Humphreys/RA application process. Applicants with questions should contact Dr. Dunham Smith.
