Katie Temple
Students at Auburn University’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) have a valuable resource for enhancing their communication skills and improving their writing assignments through the college’s Miller Writing Center (MWC), with personal support provided by graduate writing fellow Katie Temple.
Temple, a doctoral student studying wildlife sciences, conservation biology, and ecology brings experience in both scientific research and academic writing to her work with students. Through the MWC, she provides support fitted to the assignments and projects CFWE students are assigned, from class essays to lab reports and research papers.
Having a writing fellow within the college allows students to work with someone who understands the expectations and communication styles seen throughout forestry, wildlife and environmental studies.
Students can visit the MWC located within the Forestry, Wildlife and Environment Building at any stage of the writing process, whether they are brainstorming ideas, drafting a paper or reviewing a final submission. During each session, Temple works with students to identify their goals and develop strategies for communicating their ideas.
Temple said her approach focuses on helping students discover writing methods that work best for them rather than teaching a single “correct” way to write.
“I love helping people figure out what works best for them when writing and critically thinking,” Temple said. “So much of what students have been taught is that there’s a single correct approach, and I enjoy showing them that isn’t true. No one way of writing works for everyone.”
Along with individual appointments, Temple works closely with graduate students through Auburn University Writing programs and leads writing workshops throughout the semester. These workshops cover a range of topics, including academic writing strategies and different revision techniques.
For Temple, one of the biggest misunderstandings about writing centers is that they only focus on correcting grammar.
“I wish that more people knew that we’re not just here to fix grammar,” Temple said. “Sure, we’ll help with that, but we also work with you on your thinking and finding the clearest way to communicate your ideas.”
Writing support can be especially useful in natural resource fields, where students are often expected to communicate scientific concepts to researchers, landowners and the public. Temple hopes students will view the MWC as a place to build confidence and strengthen their communication skills throughout their academic careers.
Katie Temple works with students in the CFWE’s Miller Writing Center branch.
Appointments can be scheduled through Advise Assist or through the MWC appointment link on the University Writing website. Students can also stop by the dedicated MWC space on the second floor of the Forestry, Wildlife and Environment building, next to the undergraduate lounge, during Temple’s office hours.
CFWE Miller Writing Center hours
- Tuesdays: 3-5 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 12-3 p.m.
- Thursdays: 9 a.m. -12 p.m.
Whether they are developing their first ideas or polishing a final draft, CFWE students can turn to Temple for guidance, support and the tools needed to become stronger, more confident writers – competencies that will serve them in college and throughout their future careers.
