Atrium is the Writing Studies Program’s annual publication of student work—a gathering place for words and ideas. Just like the atrium in Battelle—home of the Writing Studies Program and the College of Arts and Sciences—our Atrium is a space in which different perspectives come together to be heard and responded to.The essays presenting these perspectives are organized thematically by “moves,” ways of engaging with material. These writers have made rhetorical choices in how they organize their ideas, represent experiences and research, apply theories or methods, and respond to existing conversations—in short, how best to persuade a given audience that their insights and arguments are valid. As you discuss your own rhetorical choices and expand your rhetorical repertoire in your College Writing class, look to the essays in this collection for inspiration.

Student work from College Writing classes goes through a competitive selection process for Atrium; each of these essays is excellent in a variety of ways. We hope that you will not only enjoy reading them but find them to be useful examples of lively, smart, well-researched, and interesting writing. And we hope that these exemplary essays will help you generate exciting research questions, provocative arguments, and compelling prose.

We look forward to reading your work!

Lacey Wootton
Director, Writing Studies Program

Atrium Selection Committee:

Cindy Bair Van Dam

Chuck Cox

 Caimeen Garrett

 Stina Oakes (chair)

Allison Sparks