Shop Talk
Today, one of my coworkers asked me to look over a paper for his philosophy class. I love working with this guy; he's smart, nice, and has a great, dry sense of humor. He also has his bachelor's degree and is a brilliant writer. He's one of those people with whom I will never share my work because he is so good. I shiver to think of the bad taste that my writing would leave in his mouth. I was a little intimidated to look over his paper and offer my amateurish comments, but I did it because he asked.
It was, of course, a work of art. The narrative was flawless, the insights were rich and wise, and that sarcastic sense of humor bled between the lines in just the right saturation. However, despite this greatness, I was able to help. There were a few places where his analysis was a hint shallow, or where it showed that he had changed his opinion of the issue over the course of his writing and could be smoothed a bit. So, together, we brainstormed ways to fill these voids. We made a better paper.
It just felt so damned good to help. Working in the Writing Center, I work with a lot of remedial students and it's easy to began doubting your skills when all you can do is help them with the most basic writing concepts. Which I love, but your ego deflates a little bit when your students don't care all that much (I hate when instructors require their students to see us!). So, it felt good to "talk shop" with someone that sincerely cared and wanted to grow.
That is all. Happy day. :)
(Also, I am subbing one class for an instructor right this moment, reading some porn while they take their test. Ah. Life is good. ^_^)
It was, of course, a work of art. The narrative was flawless, the insights were rich and wise, and that sarcastic sense of humor bled between the lines in just the right saturation. However, despite this greatness, I was able to help. There were a few places where his analysis was a hint shallow, or where it showed that he had changed his opinion of the issue over the course of his writing and could be smoothed a bit. So, together, we brainstormed ways to fill these voids. We made a better paper.
It just felt so damned good to help. Working in the Writing Center, I work with a lot of remedial students and it's easy to began doubting your skills when all you can do is help them with the most basic writing concepts. Which I love, but your ego deflates a little bit when your students don't care all that much (I hate when instructors require their students to see us!). So, it felt good to "talk shop" with someone that sincerely cared and wanted to grow.
That is all. Happy day. :)
(Also, I am subbing one class for an instructor right this moment, reading some porn while they take their test. Ah. Life is good. ^_^)