Ministry Class Comes to HSU Writing Center

Professor of Theology, Dr. Kelvin Kelley brought his Developing Christian Leaders class in to the Hardin-Simmons University Writing Center on Tuesday to get some tips and tricks about writing a critical analysis.

During the class Writing Center tutors gave some brain teasers, worked on essay structure, spoke about the importance of editing, and gave a lesson in thinking and writing critically.

Dr. Kelley spoke to the class beforehand and said, “Often times I catch students too late, they’ll be seniors in my class writing poorly in February and then graduating in May, and I don’t want Hardin-Simmons to produce people who can’t articulate their thoughts.”

The class spent time listening to the Writing Center manager, Braxton Gately speak about the difference between stream of consciousness and actual formulated thoughts. He told them, “The paper you write at 10pm is a paper you won’t even recognize at 10 the next morning when it’s due.” 

Braxton also spoke about formulating your own critical opinion rather than just regurgitating that of the authors. That notion really hit home with the ministry students because of how often they deal with different theological perspectives.

Dr. Kelley left his students with this, “If you all can’t write about ministry then how will you be able to do ministry? Ultimately my goal is to make you better leaders and part of that is clearly articulating your thoughts.”

For more information on the writing center visit www.hsutx.edu/academics/cap/english/writingcenter/