Session Descriptions

Extended deadline! Proposals due December 9, 2019.

Session Descriptions
Successful presentations are dynamic exchanges between audience members (secondary, undergraduate, and graduate peer tutors, administrators, faculty, and other writing center professionals). We welcome presentations of original scholarship and research that foster dialogue with conference participants. In order to include more voices and perspectives in our ongoing discussions, we especially encourage tutors and first-time presenters to send in proposals, as well as writing center workers from community colleges and high schools.

This year, each day of the conference will be devoted to different types of sessions.

Saturday Sessions

• Individual Presentation: 10-15 minute presentation. Individuals will be formed into a panel of 3 to 4 presentations. Panels will include 10-15 minutes for questions at the end of the session.
• Group Panel Presentation: 3 to 4 presentations of 10-15 minutes each on a specific theme or question. Panels should reserve 10-15 minutes for questions at the end of the session.
• Data Display/Poster Presentation: A Data Display may be a standard poster with images and text or a collection of no more than five slides to share research that lends itself to a visual/poster presentation. This category allows you to  share the reason for the study/research, current findings, and future directions. These sessions are designed for conversation, so the presentation portion should be limited to 5-10 minutes. Submissions for individual or group data displays are welcome. Proposals should include a description of your research question and results.
• Roundtable Discussion: 15 minutes of introductory framing by the leaders on a specific theme or question, followed by a facilitated discussion among attendees.
• Workshop Session: 70-minute interactive sessions that teach and engage participants through discussion, collaborative work, group activities, and/or other methods of involvement.

Sunday Sessions

• Conversation Circles: Conversation Circles are strategic conversations/idea exchanges, framed within writing center theory, with colleagues and peers who have similar interests and roles. In these 90-minute sessions, facilitators will introduce the topic or theme, which participants will discuss in rotating small groups.. The session will close with a large group discussion. The extended time will allow for in depth interaction and development of community. Proposals should include the central questions the groups will consider. We welcome proposals from all members of the writing center community and especially encourage submissions from groups of peer tutors.
• Extended Workshops: These extended workshop (90 minutes) focus on the exchange of ideas about the daily, valued practices of writing centers. As with regular workshops, the format is interactive and engaging and invites facilitators and participants to teach and learn from one another through discussion, collaborative work, group activities, and/or other methods of involvement. The extended time will allow for in depth interaction and development of community. Proposals should include specific information about how workshop participants will be involved.We welcome proposals from all members of the writing center community and especially encourage submissions from groups of peer tutors.
• Works-in-Progress: In the tradition of the Research Network Forum at the Conference on College Composition and Communication, we invite proposals regarding current research in progress. Participants will sit in thematic groups to discuss ideas with each other and with more experienced researchers. Proposals should include a complete description of the current project and questions you hope to be answered in a session. Note: Participants may present at the Works-in-Progress session as well as any other session.

NEWCA 2020 Call for Proposals
Proposal Guidelines and Submission