March 19, 2003

High school and middle school students hone writing skills

by Cadet Jeff Wright

Cadet Jeff Wright is the regimental adjutant. A political science major, he is currently an intern in the public affairs office.

        Citadel Alumnus Buddy Ward, class of 1971, returned to his alma mater on March 8th, 2003 to deliver an important message to budding Lowcountry writers.

        “Write backwards,” he told them. “Write with the end in mind. If you know where you are going, it’s easy to get there.”

        His advice came as part of the Lowcountry Writing Project’s Young Writers Conference, held at The Citadel. Talented high school and middle school student writers from Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties, as well as Beaufort, gathered to hone their writing skills.

       Ward, who is both a tugboat captain and a writer, talked with the students about how to improve their writing. He used his latest book, Tales of the Anna Karrue, to cite real life examples of writing in action.

        After Ward’s talk, students read their works in small groups, facilitated by teachers and writers. Their peers gave guided feedback about the strengths of their writings as well as advice on how to improve.

        Among the facilitators was Dr. Tom Thompson, an Associate Professor of English at The Citadel. Thompson is the Director of the Lowcountry Writing Project.

        “One of the ways students improve is to talk with other writers,” Thompson said. “The writing conference lets them experience the value of such talk.”