Festival of Writing celebrates student writers and presenters

By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant

The work of many talented Oakland University student writers will be on display at the fall Festival of Writing from 3-6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23, in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms. The festival will feature a diverse collection of material, including academic writing, oral and dramatic presentations and multimedia presentations, along with research and group-oriented projects.

The festival typically draws about 150 writers and more than 200 visitors, according to Jennifer Coon, special lecturer in the Department of Writing and Rhetoric. This year’s event boasts a number of highlights including cash prizes for the top individual, oral and group presenters; door prizes for attendees; a live Twitter and Facebook feed; collaborative writing opportunities and an audio booth for participants to record their personal narratives as part of the Digital Archive Literacy Project.

“The rewards of participating in the Festival of Writing are endless,” Coon said, adding that students get the opportunity to share their work with a wide audience and think conceptually, visually and digitally about their writing.

“New perspectives are brought to the festival each semester, as students tackle innovative topics,” she explained.

Writers and guests also will have the opportunity to publish their words to the OU Gallery on Social Networking and Digital Writing, view a wide array of student-produced videos and listen to thoughtful presentations from a group of business writing students.

Additionally, the winners of the Stephen Prothero essay contest will be honored for their engaging responses to Prothero’s book, "Religious Literacy," which was featured as part of a semester-long CAS celebration of religion and society.

Students and faculty from all departments are invited to take part in the festival. Presenters must provide their own laptops. However, LCD projectors and microphones will be available for oral presentations and tables provided for student groups. Set-up time is noon-3 p.m.

For more information, visit the Department of Writing and Rhetoric Web site at oakland.edu/wrt or contact Jennifer Coon at Coon2@oakland.edu.