Graduate Student Workshops
Wednesday, Jan. 22nd 12:00-1:00: Organizing Materials Before Writing a First Draft
Geared to new graduate students, either new to graduate school or new to NDSU. Students need to bring a laptop or other writing material (approx. 50 min.).
Location: Badlands Room, MU
Friday, Jan. 24th 11:00-12:00: 3M Thesis Workshop
Location: Badlands Room, MU
Wednesday, Jan. 29th 12:00-1:30: Summarizing and Paraphrasing
Good summarizing and paraphrasing are backbones of academic writing. In this workshop we address differences between summary, paraphrase, and "patchwriting" and effective techniques for writing summaries and paraphrases of academic texts (approx. 75 min.).
Location: Mandan Room, MU
Tuesday, Feb. 4th 2:00-3:30: Introduction to Literature Review
This workshop will introduce the literature review, discuss audience, and suggest organizational strategies. Included in the organizational strategies will be the presentation of basic principles and techniques for writing a first draft (approx. 90 min.).
Location: Badlands Room, MU
Thursday, Feb. 13th 1:00-2:00: Writing a First Draft
Most graduate students understand that writing well is a key component of academic success. However, most students are also so busy reading for disciplinary content that they don't have time to consider how successful writers work the craft of writing. To help address this gap, the Center for Writers is offering a workshop for graduate students that highlights this often overlooked step of academic writing (approx. 50 min.).
Location: Badlands Room, MU
Tuesday, Feb. 18th 12:00-1:15: How to Correct Common Word Choice Mistakes
Good ideas can get lost in poor word choices. In the Center for Writers graduate workshop on "How to Correct Common Word Choice Mistakes," we take on three common errors in a way that can help clear up your writing so those good ideas can come through (approx. 65 min.).
Location: Mandan Room, MU
Thursday, Feb. 27th 2:00-3:30: Avoiding Plagiarism
Attributing research, ideas, and writing to their sources is a bedrock of academic integrity. Plagiarism, on the other hand, undermines not only the writer and researcher who intentionally or unintentionally plagiarizes, but also the work presented in the plagiarized paper. This workshop by the Center for Writers presents information about what is considered plagiarism and techniques to avoid plagiarism (approx. 75 min.).
Location: Mandan Room, MU
Thursday, Mar. 5th 3:00-4:00: How to Correct Common Grammar and Punctuation Mistakes
Good ideas can get lost in bad grammar and punctuation. In the Center for Writers graduate workshop on "How to Correct Common Grammar and Punctuation Mistakes," we take on four common errors in common sense a way that can help clear up your writing so those good ideas can come through (approx. 50 min.).
Location: Badlands Room, MU
Tuesday, Mar. 10th 2:00-3:30: Writing the Methods Section
We know that the methodology section is supposed to explain the "what" and "how" of our research, but really, how much detail do we need? How do we organize our process? Why can't we just put in bullet points? This workshop addresses strategies for organizing and then accurately communicating our research process and progress (approx. 75 min.).
Location: Mandan Room, MU
Tuesday, Mar. 24th 2:00-3:30: Writing the Results and Discussion Section
Why can't we just let the results speak for themselves? What are some strategies for organizing the results section? How do vocabulary choices minimize the complications with results and promote clarity? Should I write about the most important results first or save them for last? Do I have to put all my results in this section? These are just a few of the questions we will address in this workshop on reporting and then discussing research results (approx. 75 min.).
Location: Mandan Room, MU
Thursday, Apr. 2nd 12:00-1:00: Writing an Introduction
Deceptively simple, a well-written introduction can be notoriously difficult to write. This workshop will present strategies for writing strong introductions and for avoiding pitfalls that plague opening paragraphs (approx. 50 min.).
Location: Mandan Room, MU
Wednesday, Apr. 8th 12:00-1:00: Writing in Active Voice
In attempts to sustain objectivity, academic writers are often trapped in a passive voice tangle that adds complexity and verbosity to already complex prose. While we can't get completely away from passive voice, in this workshop we discuss how to tame it to our own uses, thus freeing our prose, and our readers, from its worst excesses. (approx. 50 min.).
Location: Mandan Room, MU
Friday, Apr. 17th 2:00-3:00: Writing a Teaching Philosophy
If it's not exactly a personal statement and it's not exactly an essay, what exactly is a Teaching Philosophy? Maybe even more confusing is why do employers want ours, and, most pressing of all, how do we go about writing one? This workshop answers these questions and helps you to brainstorm ideas for this difficult, but necessary, writing requirement (approx. 50 min.).
Location: Library 16, Lower Level of the Library
Wednesday, Apr. 22nd 2:00-3:00: Personal Statements
Particularly difficult to write, the personal statement can make or break job, scholarship, or even grant applications. In this workshop we focus on some effective strategies and common pitfalls for writing this unusual genre (approx. 50 min.).
Summer Disquisition Boot Camp: Monday, May 18th - Friday, May 22nd
Faculty and Teaching Assistant Workshops
Tuesday, Feb. 18th 12:00-1:15: Creating Effective Instructions and Rubrics
Grading writing assignments is notoriously time consuming. However, effectively written instructions and rubrics can save time for busy faculty and frustration for student writers. Geared to faculty (approx. 65 min.).
Location: Library 16, Lower Level of the Library
Tuesday, Mar. 3rd 12:00-1:00: Tips for Helping ELL Writers
Addressing the needs of student writers can be difficult, and when students are not native English speakers it becomes even more complex. This workshop can help set a foundation for effectively working with ELL student writers across disciplines. Geared to faculty (approx. 50 min.).
Location: Library 16, Lower Level of the Library
Tuesday, Apr. 7th 12:00-1:00: Providing Effective Feedback to Students
As educators we know that student writing is a vital component to student success, yet we also know that responding to student writing can be both time-consuming and frustrating. This workshop from the Center for Writers focuses on strategies that can both streamline grading and make feedback more effective for improved student writing. Geared to faculty (approx. 50 min.).
Location: Library 16, Lower Level of the Library