The Media and Information Bureau held an Essay Writing Training on (10/06/2024) in the framework of the HIMAKA 2024 Essay Competition. The HIMAKA 2024 Essay Competition itself is an essay competition at the Library and Information Science Study Program level with the theme “Promoting Sustainable Countries and Communities through Libraries”. Essay Writing Training was held through Zoom Meeting by inviting a resource person who is a writer, literacy researcher, translator, and editor, Atep Kurnia, S.Hum. This Essay Writing Training aims to educate Library and Information Science Study Program students about the stages and strategies in creating essay papers.
The organization of this Essay Writing Competition aims to: 1) Provide a forum for the younger generation to channel their aspirations and work positively. 2) Educate about the 11th SDG, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. 3) Encourage participants to critically analyze issues related to urban development, sustainability, and community welfare, which can deepen understanding and create innovative solutions. 4) Engage communities in building sustainable urbanization, helping to build a sense of collective responsibility and action towards achieving SD 11. 5) Enhance participants’ research, writing, and argumentation skills through the essay drafting process, which is aligned with the library’s educational mission. 6) Motivate individuals to think about how they can contribute to making their cities and communities more sustainable and inclusive. 7) Provide a platform for participants from diverse backgrounds to share their views and experiences related to urban sustainability, enriching the community’s understanding of challenges and opportunities. 8) Recognize and reward the efforts of individuals who produce in-depth essays that encourage continued engagement with important global issues. 9) Explore opportunities for libraries to partner with local organizations, schools, and government agencies focused on urban development and sustainability, strengthening community networks.
Mr. Atep in his presentation invited the trainees to dig deeper into writing starting from the history of essays in the world and in Indonesia where essays are considered a form of literary art. This was followed by a presentation of world essayists such as Michel de Montaigne, Francis Bacon, and Ralph Waldo Emerson as well as in Indonesia, including Goenawan Mohamad, Gus Dur, and Seno Gumira Adjidarma. After explaining the origins of the essay, Mr. Atep began to delve deeper into essay writing by explaining the meaning and characteristics of the essay which includes the definition, writing style, and characteristics of the essay. He then moved on to explain what distinguishes essays from other written works. The last is of course the stages of writing an essay which includes steps and tips in writing an essay which is also complemented by analyzing one of Multatuli’s writings.
The series was closed with an interactive question and answer session with the training participants. The Essay Writing Training was also attended by the Chairperson of the Library and Information Science Study Program Dr. Ute Lies Siti Khadijah, HIMAKA FIKOM UNPAD Advisor Mrs. Evi Nursanti Rukmana, M.I.Kom. and Mrs. Fitri Perdana, M.I.Kom., and as a participant the event was also attended by Mrs. Mimin from the Sumedang Regency TBM Forum.
