Congratulations Are In Order: Student Writing Contest

We are excited to share a snapshot of the judge's comments from this year's Student Writing Contest. The English Department is tremendously proud of these talented students and we thank all those who entered their work in the contest.

The winners will enjoy a $100 award and their submission will be published in the student literary journal, Warren.  An official celebration will be held on April 28, 2024.  

            The Baillie Award for the Literary Essay: “Curious Clerval” by Sydney Kyle 

“...It is nicely focused on a character in Frankenstein that deserves scholarly attention. It raises a host of significant points about the character. Research turned up significant sources as the thesis was investigated. The secondary sources and the primary source are utilized effectively. Yet the author’s voice is not undermined in the engaging analysis that is offered..."

The Fuller Fiction Award: “Lamia” by Maya Sites-Kagenski

“The story succeeds at blending myth and reality, shifting our understanding of what a monster is as Mia must contend with a curse while waiting the breakfast shift.  The writer’s omniscient narrator is smart, funny, and relatable as she navigates a harrowing transformation, allowing the reader to feel at home in the fantastical even as it turns nightmarish.”  

The Peters Award for Creative Nonfiction: “Ten Minutes, Ten Years” by Sarah Stambaugh

“I admire the writer’s trust in the reader and the decision-making and craftsmanship in choosing how much to reveal and when.  The writer offers a compelling narrative in language that feels apt and never forced, and within which every detail contributes.  And some of those details, slipped in quietly like a blade, are devastating.” 

The Savage Award for Poetry: “Do Not Look at Me That Way” by Hannah Harvey

“The poet’s use of the recurring lines of the villanelle eerily echoes the predatory behavior of the "you" addressed in the poem. The rhymes are mostly unpredictable and unforced, and the physical details lend a concreteness to the poem that makes the persona's understated emotional trauma all the more visceral and moving. Fine work.” 

Spotlight on Faculty

 Jerry Wemple, MFA, Professor of English, has three poems published in the current issue of Novus Literary Arts Journal: “Coda,” “Luxury,” and “The World’s Tiniest Memorial Day Parade Marches Down Pearl Street in Johnson, Vermont.” 

Wemple is the author of three poetry collections and has a new collection, “We Always Wondered What Became of You,” forthcoming from Broadstone Books. 

~Retrieved from The Triad 5.15.2023

Spotlight on Faculty: National Popular Culture Association (PCA) Conference

Christina Francis, Ph.D., professor of English, presented her paper, “Black Girl Magic 2.0: Blood and Embodiment in Tracy Deonn’s Bloodmarked,” at the National Popular Culture Association (PCA) Conference in San Antonio, TX, April 5-9, as part of the session dedicated to Novel Medievalism.

She also chaired two other sessions dedicated to American Medievalism and Anglo-Saxon Medievalism. Francis is in her 9th year as the area chair coordinator for Medievalism in Popular Culture for the PCA. 

 

~Retrieved from the TRIAD, April 10, 2023

Spotlight on Research

Dr. Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar, associate professor of English (shown at right), and Madeline Charles, a senior secondary education English major (Bloomsburg), traveled to the Writing Research Across Borders (WRAB) Conference in Trondheim, Norway, in February to present their research, “Striking the Right Balance: Different Types and Amounts of Feedback.”

They shared background and results from their empirical research study on feedback, where they found that students were most likely to make changes based on surface-level corrections rather than deeper revisions indicated by criticisms or suggestions. Also, the more corrections the instructor made, the less likely students were to make any changes at all, suggesting that instructors should be mindful of the type of feedback they use and focus on the most important issues in a student’s writing, pushing self-reflection over correction. The category of feedback that was potentially most helpful, suggestion, was by far the least represented, while correction, the least beneficial, was represented the most. The results of this study add to previous research suggesting that, when students are given feedback that pushes them to consider not just the current writing tasks but future ones, as well, students may value the feedback more. 

 

~Retrieved from The TRIAD 2.23.23

Congratulations Are In Order: Winners Of The Student Writing Contest

The English Department would like to congratulate the winners of this year's student writing contest in the following award categories.  We are very proud of your accomplishment!

The Baillie Award for the Literary Essay: “A Society, Spirited Away” by Maddison Price.

Judge’s comments: “The author’s enthusiasm for the film is clear, and the essay stimulates reader interest in the film.  The essay stayed focused on an engaging thesis, and the level of analysis was strong.  I also felt that the author developed ideas with clarity. There was effective summary of important parts of the film supplemented with engaging commentary.”  

The Fuller Fiction Award: “Chapter One of the Sea Captain and Her Lover” by Abbey Bowman.

Judge’s comments: “The story succeeds largely because of its memorable characters, inventive descriptions, and a sure-handed perspective that is both funny and whip-smart. By the end of the chapter, the reader understands that they are about to embark on a journey that is both epic and yet grounded in the messy details that make up real life.”

The Peters Award for Creative Nonfiction: “Untitled,” by Sarah Stambaugh.

Judge’s comments: "There are many subtle instances where the writer reveals snippets of their background while discussing the first six roommates.  I admire the trust in the reader.  I also admire the structure and tone of the essay.  It begins by focusing on six figures (which encapsulates the disassociation) before the writer steps out to really discuss their own situation upon arriving at college.  There is also a compelling objectiveness in the telling here.  The writer wants to help us understand something remarkable and accomplishes this by grounding us in excellent imagery.  They also trust us to bring our own empathy in order to appreciate how challenging and difficult their upbringing must have been.  In that trust, and in the fine decision-making about what to show or tell and what not, lies the power of this piece."

The Savage Award for Poetry: “Hyperphagia” by Maya Sites-Kagenski.

The judge found the piece “musical and wise with compelling metaphorical imagery and strong surprise.”

Shakespeare students Baltimore bound

On Sunday, October 23rd, students from Dr. Christina Francis’s Spring 22 Shakespeare and Fall 22 British Literature I classes attended Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s venue in Baltimore, MD.

Students had just finished reading and discussing the play in the weeks before the trip. Because the venue uses a thrust stage with minimal scenery and a balcony feature, students were able to experience the play in ways similar to Shakespeare’s original audiences. 

This trip was made possible by funding from the Department of English. 

Faculty Spotlight - Professor Jerry Wemple

Jerry Wemple had his poem “Picture” published in the Summer issue of River and South Review.  https://riverandsouth.com/index.php/2022/06/17/picturejerry-wemple/

He also appeared on a July edition of the Writers of Northern Appalachia program which is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Wemple read from new work and was interviewed.

                                           
                 Check out the interview here!

~Retrieved from English Department Meeting kudos on 9/23/2022.

~https://riverandsouth.com/index.php/2022/06/17/picturejerry-wemple/

~https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlG_NyPPGNg