By Dawn Pauli, contributing writer

Preparations are under way for the Fourth Annual Festival of Writing. The daylong event showcases the writing and presentation talents of OU students, and for the first time, four students will win cash prizes for their entries.

Sponsored by the Department of Rhetoric, Communication and Journalism, projects will be on display in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms Tuesday, April 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The festival demonstrates a wide range of projects in departments across campus using multiple formats. Displays include traditional reports and posters and digital presentations on DVDs and CDs including text and visual and audio components.

“This is a great opportunity for students to share their projects with the entire campus community,” said Patricia Becker, Festival of Writing coordinator and special instructor. “They also can receive positive feedback about something they are interested in and have dedicated much time and effort to complete.”

Those who attend the Festival of Writing display can complete an evaluation form to vote for the top four displays as well as provide valuable feedback about the event. Prizes for the top four displays are $100, $75, $50 and $25.

Last year, projects ranged from adult obesity and smoking and shopping addictions to sports injuries and fire safety. Several classes also submitted group projects or presented oral presentations. Sophomore Mike Lerchenfeldt, an elementary education major, created a PowerPoint presentation about the quality of education, comparing public and private education and other factors that effect achievement.

“The Festival of Writing was a great experience,” Lerchenfeldt said. “It is a great opportunity for students because it gives them a chance for their individual voice to be heard. I don’t think undergraduates often get a chance to present their research project at a large event.”
 

Festival of Writing projects should be set up between 8 to 8:30 a.m. and removed by 5 p.m. Oral presentations will be scheduled throughout the day.

More information and proposal forms can be found on the Rhetoric, Communication and Journalism Web site or by contacting Becker at (248) 370-4125 or abecker@oakland.edu. Proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, March 30.