Seoul Chapter March Workshop

Constructing Writer's Identity: Demystifying and Encouraging 'Voice' in EFL Writing

by Ben McBride, PAGODA 

Date/Time: March 21st (Saturday, 3-5PM) 
Venue: Rm. 105, Injaegwan, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul, South Korea 
Workshop Coordinator: Dr. Ian Done D. Ramos /workshop@seoulkotesol.org or professionalworkian@gmail.com

For more information, visit our website - http://www.koreatesol.org/seoul 

Abstract: As we strive to prepare our students to succeed as writers in western or global academic settings, one aspect of writing that is often neglected is the writer’s voice. Voice is a lot like body language. Although we are not consciously aware of it most of the time, it plays an enormous role in shaping the way a writer is perceived by the readers. Research tells us that one of the most difficult aspects of L2 academic writing is acquiring an academic voice that conveys the proper authoritative stance toward the reader, while still maintaining the objectivity and detachment that defines academic writing style. In this workshop, we will explore the ways in which text reveals a writer’s perceived position with respect to the readers. We will then discuss ways in which we can encourage students to become more conscious of the voice they are conveying to their audience.

This workshop will be interactive, involving pair or small group work. In pairs, participants will analyze a small piece of writing, discussing the elements of the text that reveal the writer’s voice. In addition, the same pairs/groups will brainstorm writing assignments that can raise students’ awareness of how academic voice can be constructed through their writing. I will be using powerpoint for the presentation part of the workshop. There will be handouts containing writing samples to analyze. There will be a short question and answer session following the workshop.

Biography: Ben McBride is a teacher trainer at Pagoda Academy in Gangnam, Seoul, where he has taught adults and university students for four years. Before moving to Seoul in 2011, he taught at various academies and schools in New York City. Ben completed his M.Ed. in TESOL at the University of Missouri, and his B.A. in philosophy at Cornell College. His research interests include writer identity, contrastive analysis, and error correction. He can be contacted by email at benmcbrideesl@gmail.com.