Building a scholar in writing (BSW): A model for developing students' critical writing skills.
Several authors have highlighted the importance of writing in developing reflective thinking skills, transforming knowledge, communicating expressions, and filling knowledge gaps. However, difficulties with higher order processing and critical analysis affect students' ability to write critical and thoughtful essays. The Building a Scholar in Writing (BSW) model is a 6-step process of increasing intricacies in critical writing development. Development of critical writing is proposed to occur in a processed manner that transitions from presenting simple ideas (just bones) in writing, to connecting ideas (connecting bones), to formulating a thesis and connecting key components (constructing a skeleton), to supporting ideas with evidence (adding muscle), to building creativity and originality (adding essential organs), and finally, developing strong, integrated, critical arguments (adding brain). This process symbolically represents the building of a scholar. The idea of building a scholar equates to progressively giving life and meaning to a piece of writing with unique scholarly characteristics. This progression involves a transformation in awareness, thinking, and understanding, as well as advancement in students' level of critical appraisal skills.
Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada. Electronic address: abailey@ryerson.ca.
Annette
A
Bailey
Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada. Electronic address: mzanchet@ryerson.ca.
Margareth
M
Zanchetta
Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada. Electronic address: dvelasco@ryerson.ca.
Divine
D
Velasco
School of Social Work, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada. Electronic address: g2pon@ryerson.ca.
Gordon
G
Pon
Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada. Electronic address: aafreen.hassan@gmail.com.
Aafreen
A
Hassan
D003405:Creativity; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D017145:Models, Educational; D013338:Students, Nursing; D013850:Thinking; D014956:Writing / Q000592:standards*
Constructivist paradigm; Critical writing; Scholarly writing