Madeline Sutton joins Duke as assistant professor of the practice in the Thompson Writing Program and assistant director of the Writing Studio. (John West/Trinity Communications)
Madeline Sutton Brings Expertise in Writing and Mentorship to the Thompson Writing Program
For Madeline Sutton, joining Duke as assistant professor of the practice in the Thompson Writing Program (TWP) and assistant director of the Writing Studio is a full-circle moment.
Sutton brings six years of on-the-ground experience to the Writing Studio, having previously worked in writing centers as an undergraduate, graduate student and graduate assistant director. Now, as assistant director of the TWP Writing Studio she’ll use her experience and expertise to guide all Duke students, regardless of their writing goals, to new levels of success.
What makes Duke unique is that the Writing Program is separate from the English and Literature departments, Sutton said. This autonomy gives it an independence and weight that isn’t found at all colleges. Also, all first-year students are required to take Writing 120: Academic Writing, which gives the program an opportunity to serve the entire undergraduate community, regardless of intended major or course of study.
Duke students come from diverse backgrounds, but everyone’s first year in college is a significant transitional moment. Sutton helps students adapt to their new lives at the same time as assisting them to develop skills, attitudes and dispositions toward writing that will help them be successful throughout their Duke careers.
For students writing in any academic, professional, or civic context, mentoring and support are available through the TWP Writing Studio. The Studio helps students develop their abilities as writers, rather than just focusing on polishing the projects they bring in. Writers meet with experienced consultants to talk through their works-in-progress, building the skills and awareness needed to hone their abilities.
Sutton points out that writing is collaborative, and all writers benefit from sharing their work with others and receiving feedback, no matter how experienced they are. “Every single student should be coming to the Writing Studio at some point in their academic journey,” she said.
In her first year at Duke, Sutton is looking forward to working one-on-one with students in her Writing 120 class, as well as training writing consultants in Writing 255S: Literacy, Writing, Tutoring.
Writing 120 sections are capped at 15 students, and Sutton hopes the small class size will encourage students to get to know each other and feel safe sharing their work.
“I’m looking forward to personalizing every student's learning experience,” she said. “I ask students to explore questions about how writing and identity are interconnected, and how language and culture also connect, which sets students on a deeply personal inquiry process.”
