Celebrating Student Success
Writing for University and Beyond: A Journal of First-Year Student Writing at UTM is an annual, open access journal that highlights exceptional student work from the University of Toronto Mississauga’s first-year writing course, ISP100: Writing for University and Beyond. This journal also features papers from the utmONE Scholars Seminars as well as ISP010: Basics of Writing in English (BoWiE), offering a platform for students to showcase their achievements in a rigorous academic setting. Each year, the journal curates standout papers from the Fall and Winter semesters, demonstrating the depth and diversity of thought among our students.
The journal takes a unique approach, drawing from a “writing about writing” pedagogy—the first of its kind in Canada. As a result, students with diverse backgrounds and perspectives produce compelling work in a variety of genres, including reflective writing, discourse community analyses, and formal research papers. By celebrating these achievements, the journal reflects the resilience and academic growth of our students, particularly after a year filled with challenging social, political, and educational circumstances.
The Publication Process
Led by ISUP’s writing studies faculty, the journal selects the finest papers from across ISP100, ISP010 and the utmONE Scholars Seminars. Students are encouraged to submit their best work, which is then anonymized and reviewed by editorial teams composed of faculty mentors and volunteer student reviewers. Accepted papers receive one-on-one guidance from faculty mentors who help student authors refine their work through multiple revision stages.
This process not only recognizes academic excellence but also provides invaluable learning opportunities for students. Writers gain firsthand experience with a publication process that mirrors professional academic standards. In addition to receiving mentorship, they further develop the writing skills cultivated in their courses.
The journal is also supported by student reviewers who benefit from several learning experiences. Reviewers participate in training sessions to learn academic review processes, collaborate with writing faculty in small teams, and build connections with peers and mentors. Through this process, they develop the ability to engage in constructive dialogue, negotiate differing perspectives, and evaluate high-caliber submissions.
Together, these collaborative efforts help sustain a vibrant academic community and provide both authors and reviewers with valuable opportunities to grow as scholars and writers.