In Lad Tobin's essay,  "Reading Students, Reading Ourselves:Revisiting the Teacher's Role in the Writing Process,"  one of the things that he does that I think is very useful for his students, is that he has them write an essay to describe their journey in the writing process. This is an important component of the writing class because it forces them the student to examine the way she writes, as well as forces her to take ownership of her work; and to be held accountable for the choices she makes.

I would say, that for the most part,  the idea of students examining the way that they write is an unique idea. One of the things that resonated in the essay for me was when  one of the student's became aware, that each of her professors became a different audience reading her paper.  One of her professors might allow her to take liberties with her work, while another would hold her feet to the fire, so to speak, and force her to write,  "impeccable English prose."  I connected with  this student the most when she complained that her Humanities professor took issue with her using the pronouns, you and I in an academic paper. The student argued that by using the pronouns, it made her feel more connected to her work; and ensured that her voice was heard. I remember reading these lines, and having the same reaction at the beginning stages of my own writing process. I felt as though I was being true to my own voice, and my perspective when I used the pronouns you and I in a formal essay.  Unfortunately, it was one of those things I had to unlearn, if I was going to be taken seriously as an English major.