Lecturers in Writing, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication (WRAP) teach communication in over 100 subjects in more than 20 different programs and departments across MIT.
Working from a foundation of common learning objectives for communication-intensive subjects, WRAP lecturers collaborate with instructors to develop lessons in writing and speaking in the discipline, and to design and respond to assignments. Many faculty find that collaborating with WRAP lecturers brings a fresh pedagogical perspective and new ideas to the class, and allows more opportunities for students to develop their conceptual knowledge of communications.
Because each subject is unique, WRAP lecturers’ roles vary, but typically they:
- collaborate in planning writing and communications pedagogy for the subject, starting from a discussion of communications learning objectives
- teach lessons on specific genres, such as abstracts, proposals, poster presentations, or journal articles
- teach processes such as collaborative writing or information management and source critique
- teach communications concepts such as audience analysis, information design, or coherence
- teach elements of visual communication such as slide design or data presentation
- lead writing workshops or peer review sessions
- read and comment on written drafts, and provide feedback on oral presentations during rehearsals
- meet with students individually or in small group conferences to discuss drafts
- develop pedagogical materials to help students learn the conventions of disciplinary communication
- advise on assignment design
WRAP lecturers fulfill the specific role of providing communications instruction; they do not typically attend every class session.