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News Release MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY Contact: Jessica Novak Office of Marketing and Communications	Lakeland English Department Plain Dealer columnist Regina Brett talks about Lakeland's Writing Carnival Date Posted: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 Topic: The writing’s on the wall: Lakeland’s English department celebrates writing with a free for all, Oct. 20
Printer Friendly Version: The writing’s on the wall: Lakeland’s English department celebrates writing with a free for all, Oct. 20
English composition instructors around the country are celebrating, and the English department at Lakeland Community College is no different. In fact, they can hardly keep themselves composed since the U.S. Senate passed a resolution recently declaring October 20 National Day on Writing. Graffiti, blogging, haiku, and a story caption contest will be just some of the creative outlets at Lakeland’s first ever Writing Carnival to be held on Tuesday, October 20 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the A building atrium. The expressive event will also include poetry readings, complete with an open mic. “This is a one-time chance to write on the walls,” said Dr. Michelle Long, English professor at Lakeland who is spearheading the event. “Actually, we hope it's the chance to open the door to creativity and the writer in each of us.” The carnival will also highlight Lakeland’s newest initiative, Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC), led by Lakeland English Instructor and WAC Liaison Joanna Paull. WAC “encourages the integration of writing in all courses at Lakeland,” said Paull. “We want to emphasize that writing is one of many tools for learning for students and faculty.” Lakeland’s Writing Carnival will officially debut the WAC online Gallery of Writing. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and administration will have the opportunity to submit their writing “live” to the gallery. Since the June launch, submissions have been accepted at the gallery at http://galleryofwriting.org/galleries/49189. Writers may continue to post their work online through June 30, 2010. Submissions may be in any number of forms, including academic essays, short stories, poems, blogs, PowerPoint presentations, lab reports, and personal letters. The National Day on Writing and the online Gallery of Writing are sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English.