FALL 2008 Workshops

We are offering 10 workshops this semester!!

What to bring: Any outlines or drafts, your assignment, notes from class, your sources, textbooks or any writing handbooks you have.

1. Critical Reading for Better Writing
Effective writing begins with critical reading. Learn how to read actively and creatively and to use their own writing as a way of understanding what they have read. Dates: Mon 9/15 1-2pm; Tue 9/23 5-6pm; Wed 10/15 5-6pm; Thu 10/30 1-2pm; Mon 11/3 5-6pm; Tue 11/11 1-2pm; Wed 12/3 1-2pm; Thu 12/11 5-6pm.

2. First Things First: Getting Started
This workshop will help student writers practice strategies to understand the requirements of their assignments, to consider assigned texts through the eyes of a writer, to take effective notes, to brainstorm ideas, to formulate a working thesis, and to pound out that first draft. Dates: Mon 9/15 5-6pm; Tue 9/23 1-2pm; Thu 10/16 5-6pm; Wed 10/29 1-2pm; Tue 11/11 5-6pm; Thu 11/13 1-2pm; Wed 11/19 5-6pm; Mon 12/8 1-2pm; Mon 12/15 5-6pm.

3. Analyzing and Arguing
Student writers can use this workshop to distinguish between analysis and summary and to sharpen analytical and argumentative skills. They will practice strategies to formulate a strong argument, to base it on solid evidence, to consider audience, and to step back and identify any flaws in logic. Dates: Tue 9/16 1-2pm; Wed 9/24 5-6pm; Tue 10/14 5-6pm; Mon 10/20 1-2pm; Thu 10/30 5-6pm; Mon 11/10 5-6pm; Tue 11/18 5-6pm; Tue 12/2 1-2pm; Thu 12/4 5-6pm; Wed 12/10 5-6pm; Tue 12/16 1-2pm.

4. Organization
This workshop will offer strategies that help student writers look at their ideas, organize them into coherent paragraphs, and build those paragraphs into a cohesive paper. Dates: Tue 9/16 5-6pm; Thu 9/25 5-6pm; Thu 10/2 1-2pm; Mon 10/20 5-6pm; Tue 10/28 1-2pm; Wed 11/12 1-2pm; Thu 11/13 5-6pm; Mon 11/24 1-2pm; Wed 12/3 5-6pm; Tue 12/9 1-2pm; Tue 12/16 5-6pm.

5. Juggling Sources
This workshop will teach student writers how to summarize, paraphrase, and quote. They will learn strategies for integrating source material into the flow of their writing. Dates: Wed 9/17 1-2pm; Thu 10/2 5-6pm; Tue 10/14 1-2pm; Tue 10/21 1-2pm; Mon 10/27 5-6pm; Wed 11/12 5-6pm; Mon 11/17 1-2pm; Tue 11/25 5-6pm; Thu 12/4 1-2pm; Thu 12/11 1-2pm.

6. MLA Citation
In this workshop, student writers will become familiar with the conventions of MLA citation, practice in-text citation, and construct a works cited page. The workshop will also address their concerns about plagiarism and academic integrity. Dates: Wed 9/17 5-6pm; Mon 10/6 1-2pm; Tue 10/21 5-6pm; Tue 11/4 1-2pm; Thu 11/6 1-2pm; Mon 11/17 5-6pm; Wed 12/10 1-2pm.

7. APA Citation
In this workshop, student writers will become familiar with the conventions of APA citation, practice in-text citation, and construct a reference list. The workshop will also address their concerns about plagiarism and academic integrity. Dates: Thu 9/18 1-2pm; Mon 10/6 5-6pm; Wed 10/22 1-2pm; Mon 11/3 1-2pm; Thu 11/6 5-6pm; Tue 11/18 1-2pm; Mon 11/24 5-6pm; Tue 12/2 5-6pm.

8. Maximizing Revision
This workshop will review effective revision strategies and help student writers gather insights about their own papers from other workshop members. Dates: Thu 9/18 5-6pm; Thu 9/25 1-2pm; Tue 10/7 1-2pm; Wed 10/22 5-6pm; Mon 10/27 1-2pm; Mon 11/10 1-2pm; Thu 11/20 1-2pm; Wed 11/26 5-6pm; Tue 12/9 5-6pm; Mon 12/15 1-2pm.

9. Grammar
Learning how to write in standard American written English takes time and practice, whether or not a student writer speaks English fluently. This workshop will help students identify and practice working on the areas in English grammar that they need to develop and master. Dates: Mon 9/22 1-2pm; Tue 10/7 5-6pm; Thu 10/23 1-2pm; Wed 10/29 5-6pm; Tue 11/4 5-6pm; Thu 11/20 5-6pm; Mon 12/1 5-6pm; Mon 12/8 5-6pm.

10. Advanced Stylistics: Imitating Master Writers
This workshop will bring together advanced student writers who want to polish their advanced writing skills, like constructing effective and varied sentences, choosing precise vocabulary, eliminating wordiness, and developing a unique tone of voice for each piece. Dates: Mon 9/22 5-6pm; Thu 10/16 1-2pm; Thu 10/23 5-6pm; Tue 10/28 5-6pm; Wed 11/5 5-6pm; Wed 11/19 1-2pm; Tue 11/25 1-2pm; Mon 12/1 1-2pm.