In the spring semester, Macalester College's Writing to Change Minds course, taught by DeWitt Wallace Professor of English and Creative Writing James Dawes, empowered students to engage effectively in short-form writing. The course emphasized how to convey ideas succinctly and impactfully, preparing students to articulate their values in a cluttered media landscape.
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Yvonne Moreira-Andrade, a student in the course, found it particularly engaging and noted the hands-on experiences, such as writing restaurant reviews in addition to op-eds. The class met three times weekly and encouraged twenty participants to rethink their communication strategies.
Four students from the course—Leena Gowrisankaran, Isabella Mulhall, Jenna Hawkes, and Moreira-Andrade—achieved the milestone of having their pieces published in The Wall Street Journal, an accomplishment they described as surreal.
Moreira-Andrade's op-ed, “Why Gen Z Embraced Trump,” analyzed the factors behind some Gen Z support for Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 election, calling for better role models for young men on social media. She remarked on the surprise of reaching such a large audience and appreciated the opportunity to share her thoughts widely.
Reflecting on her journey after the course, Moreira-Andrade credited it with teaching her valuable writing skills that are useful for her graduate school applications.
Jenna Hawkes’ piece, “Who’s Afraid of Flying?” examined concerns about air travel in relation to climate change and its impact on aviation safety. Hawkes later used her gained skills to host writing workshops, empowering others to express their views through op-eds and Letters to the Editor.
Both Gowrisankaran and Mulhall also had their work published, with Gowrisankaran discussing health remedies under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mulhall focusing on geopolitical themes related to Ukraine and Trump.
Professor Dawes expressed pride in his students' achievements, highlighting the significance of their transition from classroom writing to reaching an extensive audience through a major publication. The course's impact resonates beyond the classroom, fostering lifelong skills in writing and advocacy.