Department Writing Fellow
The Departmental Writing Fellow is a resource for all undergraduates enrolled in Art, Film & Visual Studies department courses—including Gen Ed courses taught by AFVS affiliated faculty—who would like help with their writing. The DWF can help with topics ranging from writing a formal, argumentative paper for an AFVS class, to figuring out how to write a compelling personal statement for an artistic project, or using creative writing as an extension of one’s artistic practice.
Individual writing appointments can be scheduled directly with the DWF.
About the DWF
The DWF can help you focus on the unique skills required to write for an AFVS course, offering guidance on writing about film, art, or other media objects as well as advice and support on crafting statements about student’s own artistic work. This discipline-specific expertise—covering film terminology, conventions of formal analysis, and a broad range of aesthetic objects and topics—distinguishes the AFVS DWF from Writing Tutors at the Harvard College Writing Center.
Instructions for Students
Students are welcome to schedule meetings at any stage of the writing process, whether during the early brainstorming of ideas to the revisions on a final draft. Discussion and feedback can be as broad or as targeted as according to the student’s needs.
There are two options for individual conferences: weekly Drop-In office hours on Zoom, and Scheduled Appointments, held either in person or via Zoom.
Drop-In
Regular weekly office hours will be held each Wednesday from 3:00 – 4:00 PM EST. Students are welcome to join the Zoom Meeting Room without any prior notification or contact.
During the drop-in hours, the DWF will be happy to discuss any issues students may be having, as well as respond to drafts or outlines of less than 10 pages.
Students are not obligated to send any materials ahead of time. However, if more specific feedback is preferred, students may email drafts and other pertinent documents.
Scheduled Appointments
Students may also request individual appointments from half-hour slots, available on a recurring weekly schedule. These can be booked via email. If the recurring times conflict with your schedule, please email the DWF directly to make alternative arrangements.
Students have the option of meeting either in-person or over Zoom. In-person meetings will be held on the fourth floor of Sever Hall (or at another location by previous arrangement).
Like the drop-in meetings, students are not obligated to contact or send materials to the DWF prior to the appointment. However, it is strongly preferred that after booking an appointment, students email a brief note on their goals or questions for the session, any drafts/outlines/notes they would like to discuss, as well as any other relevant materials (e.g. assignment prompt, portfolio, media links, cited sources, etc.).
The DWF is happy to read and respond to drafts of up to 10 pages “on the spot.” For longer drafts or for more detailed feedback, please email materials ahead of time.
Workshops
Occasional workshops focused on AFVS-related writing—on topics such as performing a close reading of film, writing an artist statement, and others—will be held throughout the academic year. These events will be posted on the AFVS website calendar under “Upcoming Events.”
Questions?
If you have any further questions, please email the DFW directly.