Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read more.

You can have the best teachers, but you aren’t consuming the written word, you aren’t going to produce good quality writing.

+1 this too. I posted above. My kid is a voracious reader, always has been. The type to break out a book in a plane, in a waiting room, etc

100x this. Readers become great writers.

Yes, this definitely helps with everything from vocabulary to pattern recognition re sentence structure.

But I can say from experience that it also takes A LOT of practice! Good writers write. Period.

OP - In addition to writing for classes, your DC might try writing for the college daily newspaper. It doesn't have to be a big commitment. DC has a friend who writes a few articles per semester for the sports section. It's been a good experience!

Anonymous wrote:Writing has been the weak spot in our DD's public school education. She ended up choosing an LAC that touts emphasis on writing. One thing I noticed and appreciated on college tours was when tour guides talked up and normalized using the writing centers or academic support centers on campus. For example, at Amherst, our very charismatic and articulate tour guide spent a good five minutes talking about how well-trained and helpful the writing center tutors are and mentioned that he seeks support for every paper he completes. Our DD is headed to Carleton, and their tour guides talked up the writing center similarly.

YES! We noticed this, too, on many of our college tours. I thought it was fantastic.

The two I happen to remember are Duke and Davidson. Both tour guides made a point of explaining in detail how they use the writing center.

One focused on how it's helped him most on the front end (organizing his thoughts, outlining, and getting to work early on a draft rather than procrastinating.)

The other described how it's helped her at the end of the process - simplifying and clarifying the final product.

Both also encouraged kids to make use of office hours in general, for feedback on writing after papers are graded and to discuss course material. This all made a strong impression on DC. De-mystified the process.

Writing has been the weak spot in our DD's public school education. She ended up choosing an LAC that touts emphasis on writing. One thing I noticed and appreciated on college tours was when tour guides talked up and normalized using the writing centers or academic support centers on campus. For example, at Amherst, our very charismatic and articulate tour guide spent a good five minutes talking about how well-trained and helpful the writing center tutors are and mentioned that he seeks support for every paper he completes. Our DD is headed to Carleton, and their tour guides talked up the writing center similarly.

I majored in history. Lots of writing, in every class. With research, original sources, marshalling evidence, etc. Definitely made me a better writer, along with reading a lot of good writing -- novels, essay, and the New Yorker's long-form pieces.

Saw that the writer and director of Sinners credits his college creative writing teacher for his writing skills and career. St. Mary's in California Bay Area. I haven't seen the movie but it got a bunch of Oscar nominations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read more.

You can have the best teachers, but you aren’t consuming the written word, you aren’t going to produce good quality writing.

+1 this too. I posted above. My kid is a voracious reader, always has been. The type to break out a book in a plane, in a waiting room, etc

100x this. Readers become great writers.

Anonymous wrote:Read more.

You can have the best teachers, but you aren’t consuming the written word, you aren’t going to produce good quality writing.

+1 this too. I posted above. My kid is a voracious reader, always has been. The type to break out a book in a plane, in a waiting room, etc

Read more.

You can have the best teachers, but you aren’t consuming the written word, you aren’t going to produce good quality writing.

Anonymous wrote:Not college but I learned to write well in HS. Catholic school. I was shocked that other students in my university didn’t know what a thesis statement was. They came from public HS in MD and had never written a research paper. It was sad.

My sons’ Catholic HS turned them into top-notch writers. They learned how to write for all types of situations. Coming from public school, it was such a change. My kid’s first Ivy paper - he screenshotted the prof’s comments: strong paper, excellent writing. It was Russian lit too. International policy major.

One strategy for developing good, strong writing skills - for life, not for analyzing literature, etc. - is journalism classes, in my opinion. They eliminate the misconception that verbose is good and big words are better. They also emphasize speed and efficiency. So, one approach to hone writing skills is to take reporting or something similar as an elective, if it is offered. Obviously this is also a good major for people who like to write, but don't have a desire to write novels. I also happen to believe it is a great skill foundation for law. The emphasis is on details, accuracy, and speed, not beautiful prose.

OP, are you a kid? “Many write without AI” makes you sound like a kid.

Anonymous wrote:Not college but I learned to write well in HS. Catholic school. I was shocked that other students in my university didn’t know what a thesis statement was. They came from public HS in MD and had never written a research paper. It was sad.

and so the 12-day war or words began ...

Not college but I learned to write well in HS. Catholic school. I was shocked that other students in my university didn’t know what a thesis statement was. They came from public HS in MD and had never written a research paper. It was sad.

Beyond the personal replies you will receive, this U.S. News site may be of interest:

2026 Colleges With Great Writing Programs | US News Best Colleges https://share.google/Msd0qpo8YiNwFlirE

We all know there is AI. But we also know that many write without AI. Did you attend or currently attend a college/university/writing program that you credit in helping you become a better writer? What college?