WHAT IS CSWR?
The CSWR is a bi-annual event showcasing student writing on campus sponsored by the Center for the Study of Writing and SAGES in conjunction with SOURCE’s Intersections Symposium and Poster Session as well as the Research Showcase to provide a venue for CWRU students to present their individual and group research and creative projects.
WHEN AND WHERE IS IT?
The Fall 2017 CSWR will be on Friday, December 8 from noon-3:00 in The Tink Ballroom and First Floor.
WHAT’S THE BENEFIT OF PARTICIPATING IN CSWR?
Particularly for classes that have final projects and oral presentation components, CSWR can be a meaningful and celebratory way to wrap up the course that gives students “real-time” opportunities to share their work with others and to demonstrate that writing and research takes many forms.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE STUDENTS?
First and foremost, for SAGES classes, participation in CSWR offers students practice in the skills that will be valuable to their Capstone preparation. Second, the event is a good opportunity for students to see actual Capstone projects at the adjacent Intersections and Research Showcase display. Third, students have the opportunity to see and share what other SAGES classes are doing. Fourth, students have the opportunity to win prizes for their presentations. Finally, students always appreciate free food!
WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?
CSWR students have the opportunity to win prizes for their work in three categories.
Best SAGES class as a whole: This award goes to the SAGES class that has the most interesting presentation as a whole.
Best individual research presentation: This award goes to the student who presents a meaningful research project most effectively. Instructors can nominate up to two students per class for this award.
Best visual presentation: This award goes to the student group or class that has the best visual component, including a poster, table display, or digital presentation.
DO ALL STUDENTS IN MY CLASS HAVE TO PARTICIPATE?
No. But if the project is part of your class syllabus, it would make sense. However, not all students have to be present throughout the entire CSWR session. They can take shifts manning the display(s).
CAN I MAKE CSWR MANDATORY FOR MY STUDENTS?
Yes, but if you do, then it needs to be clear how you plan to evaluate participation and how much it counts toward the final grade. It is also possible to offer extra credit for participation in cases where involvement is not mandatory.
WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP PREPARE DISPLAYS?
The Elevator/Pitch Workshops:
Friday, November 17
Monday, November 20
Wednesday, November 29
12:45-2:00
LOCATION: Wickendon 321
SOURCE offers workshops on preparing effective posters.
The Freedman Center offers inexpensive printing and scanning options.
SAGES class budgets can fund the cost of display materials.
We will help locate larger monitors for digital displays.
ARE THERE ANY ONLINE RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS TO USE IN PREPARING THEIR PROJECTS?
CWRU Intersections (Helpful Quick Tips): http://www.case.edu/provost/source/intersections/intersections.html
Tips for Designing Better Research Posters, Natalia Rodriquez: https://www.elsevier.com/connect/infographic-tips-for-designing-better-research-posters
The Craft of Scientific Posters, by Michael Alley: http://www.craftofscientificposters.com/
Guide to Creating Research Posters, Undergraduate Research, U of Texas https://ugs.utexas.edu/our/poster
WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF EXHIBITS THAT OTHER CLASSES HAVE DONE?
A poetry wall where students make their own poems and encourage passers-by to do so as well.
A Facebook page where characters from different class readings converse with one another.
Posters or Power Points that walk the reader through individual or group projects or research findings.
Creative projects related to course content. Examples from specific classes include—
Maps of travel narratives
Models of museums or other buildings
Students’ own comics or graphic novel creations
Herbal or food displays with fresh samples
Posters and pamphlets on organizations that students designed
Newsletters related to course content
Games related to course content
THE POSSIBILITIES ARE INFINITE!
WHO CAN I TALK TO ABOUT MY IDEAS?
The CSWR Event Coordinator is Barbara Burgess-Van Aken. Her classes have participated in every CSWR event since its inception and can share logistics and ideas that others have used for successful displays. Contact her at bab26@case.edu.
I’M SOLD. HOW DO I REGISTER MY CLASS FOR CSW?
Complete the simple Online Registration form on the Center for the Study of Writing webpage, which you can access at writing@case.edu. You will receive an email with a link to the registration after Fall Break. The Registration deadline is Wednesday, November 1.