University of Guelph Writing Services

Join us at the Dissertation Drop-in Tuesdays 9 a.m to 12 noon

2012-05-08T21:52:00.001-04:00

Attention all dissertation writers!

Every Tuesday this summer (starting today), Writing Services will host a 3-hour writing room in McLaughlin Library Room 103, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

What's it all about?

- 3 hours of uninterrupted writing time
- a pleasant, quiet work environment with large tables and power outlets
- a writing consultant on duty to answer questions and provide on-the-spot writing help

Give it a try!

Register now! Brain Food Workshops Summer 2012

2012-04-27T14:47:00.000-04:00

This popular graduate research and writing workshop series will be offered once again this summer. Complete all seven workshops to earn a Letter of Recognition in Research and Writing.

Register online

Is that your final paper?

2012-04-04T09:48:00.001-04:00

It's not too late to phone a friend...or visit a writing consultant. Appointments and drop-ins are available today (Apr. 4) and tomorrow (Apr. 5) at Writing Services. That's two whole days to gain insight into your writing strategies and learn ways to make your ideas clearer to your readers.

To make an appointment or join the waiting list, visit our online registration page.

For a 25-min drop-in session, come to the Writing Drop-in area on the 1st floor of the Library. Sign up begins at 12:45 p.m. For drop-in hours, visit our website.

How to do a close reading: Workshop Mar. 22

2012-03-14T10:14:00.000-04:00

The ability to do a close reading is an essential skill for all students in English literature courses. This workshop will illustrate strategies to use when writing papers that involve close readings.

Date: Thursday March 22, 2012
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: 3rd floor, Library Rm 384

Register online

Attention First Generation Students! Tell us what you think

2012-03-12T12:11:00.002-04:00

Help us create a useful program by telling us what's important to you in this brief survey.

What is a "first generation" student?
If neither of your parents attended college or university, you are considered a "first generation" student.

What is this program about?
We have been working on developing services and resources to help first generation students with their writing skills. These services will be available to you free of charge.

How can I help?
Help us create a useful program by telling us what's important to you. We’ve put together a ten question survey to help develop future programs.

You can also send your feedback and questions to writing@uoguelph.ca

The next best thing to Reece's Pieces...Thesis Pieces!

2012-03-08T22:05:00.001-05:00

Like peanut butter, chocolate, and a candy coating, so is the magical combination of a thesis statement, solid organization, and clear writing. These workshops will help you make your final papers sweet! (Conveniently hosted just steps away from Library vending machines.)

Writing in Philosophy - Mar 13

First University Essays - Mar. 13

Thesis Pieces - Writing an Effective Thesis Statement - Mar. 14

Writing in the Sciences workshop Mar 8: There's still time to register!

2012-03-07T18:06:00.000-05:00

There's still time to register for the Writing in the Sciences workshop in the Library, which will be held Thursday, Mar. 8 at 5:30-6:30.

Space is limited, so reserve your place!

Register online:
Writing in the Sciences - Mar. 8

Spring forward with a writing workshop

2012-03-06T21:48:00.002-05:00

Get cracking on your final papers with these writing workshops in the Library:

Writing in Geography - Mar. 7

Writing in the Sciences - Mar. 8

Writing in Philosophy - Mar 13

First University Essays - Mar. 13

Thesis Pieces - Writing an Effective Thesis Statement - Mar. 14

How to Do a Close Reading - Mar. 22

For more information, email writing@uoguelph.ca

Writing Services Drop-in: Extended hours for the home stretch

2012-02-27T20:19:00.000-05:00

Writing Services Drop-In is excited to announced extended hours and more 25-minute appointments for the remainder of the semester.

Starting Monday, February 27th, we will be open as follows:

Monday 1-7
Tuesday 1-8
Wednesday 1-8
Thursday 1-6
Friday 1-6

There will be 150 extra appointments per week available for this busy time of semester.

Remember, sign-up for afternoon appointments begins each day a few minutes before 1 p.m.

Twitter: 140 Characters of Awesome - check it out at the Writer's Workshop Feb. 23-24

2012-02-09T22:14:00.000-05:00

Twitter: 140 Characters of Awesome is just one of the many hands-on workshops that will get your creative juices flowing at the Writer's Workshop Feb. 23-24, 2012.

At this session, Kyle Mackie will quickly lead participants through some of the basics of Twitter and then dive into some exercises and strategies of how to say what you want to say effectively on Twitter. Bring your laptop and your Twitter account--and get ready to tweet!

Kyle Mackie is Manager of Teaching and Learning Technologies at the University of Guelph, where he leads a team in the support of effective use of technology in teaching and learning. Kyle received his Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Guelph and has been working in education, technology and broadcasting for over 15 years. Kyle’s professional research focuses on online learning environments, ePortfolios, mobile learning, social and participatory media and accessibility. Kyle is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in the School of English and Theatre Studies. His research is focused on community, public performance, technology in performance, running, ukuleles and zombies. Connect with Kyle at kylemackie.ca or on Twitter @kylemackie.

Find out more about Writer's Workshop sessions and presenters at http://conference.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/tww/tww2012

Have you registered for the 2012 Writer's Workshop yet?

2012-02-07T22:33:00.000-05:00

Don't miss your chance to re-connect with your love of writing. The 2012 Writer's Workshop, Feb. 23-24, 2012, is a great opportunity for budding and experienced writers alike.

Join renowned writers from the fields of fiction, drama, communications, social media, and academia. Back by popular demand are Sandra Sabatini, Sky Gilbert, T. Ryan Gregory and many other prominent writers and communicators from the UG community.

This two-day event will be held at the UG Library, and it is open to the public and free to all students and faculty. Community members are very welcome to attend for $30/session or $50/day pass.

Please register in advance on the conference website.

Space is filling up quickly for many of the sessions--register now to reserve your place.

For more information, contact Kim Garwood kgarwood@uoguelph.ca

Register now for 2012 Writer's Workshop!

2012-01-26T17:54:00.002-05:00

Writing Services and the University of Guelph Library are pleased to announce the upcoming Writer's Workshop 2012 on February 23-24. This two-day event is open to the public and free to all students and faculty.

Please register in advance on the conference website.

16 workshops will address a variety of writing topics: from creative writing (fiction and non-fiction), academic writing, publishing and copyright, social media, teaching portfolios, and even grammar lessons. (see below)

Using Storyboards for Proposals, Reports & Papers
- Margaret Hundleby
Using the media technique of creating storyboards for your non-fiction writing project will help keep you on track and get you to the end point you set out to achieve. Participants are asked to bring a project they are beginning to work on or have in progress. We will discuss the procedures for storyboarding and how to apply it in different contexts, then work on the materials on hand. Storyboarding can be applied to finished projects that may be in need of clarifying, but this task may require extra time.

Author Rights, Copyright and Publishing
- Pascal Lupien
Writers face a sometimes unfamiliar and daunting territory when making decisions about releasing their final work to the public. Whether you are working on an academic article or a creative writing piece, there are a number of issues which must be considered. Author rights and copyright issues should be part of the process as authors select a publisher. This workshop will help writers identify the rights they wish to maintain while negotiating with publishing houses. It will also provide an overview of the various publishing models, providing attendees with the information needed to make the right choices for publishing their work.

Managing your Reputation Using Social Media
- Stuart Robertson
Somebody just posted a pretty incriminating photo of you on Facebook. What do you do? Whether you have a Facebook account or not, chances are pretty good that there's a photo or two of you up there. In this workshop we will teach you the basics of social media, from twitter and Facebook to linked in and Google profiles. From there, we will help you establish and manage your online identity using tools like Google alerts. This step will focus on developing exactly what you hope to get out of social media: are you using it for personal reasons, professional reasons, to catch up with some long lost friend or to advance your career? Answering these questions will help to define your online identity. Lastly, we’ll focus on some problematic situations and how to deal with them. This session is meant to be interactive, so bring your smartphones and laptops!

The Dossier: Your Personal Approach to Teaching
- Janet Wolstenholme
The teaching dossier or portfolio is an evidence-based document that conveys your personal approach to teaching, linked to examples of your teaching practice. A teaching portfolio is often submitted as part of the faculty candidate review process. Topics in this session include: How do you prepare a teaching dossier/portfolio? What are the essential components? How can they best highlight your teaching accomplishments and future teaching goals? How do I go about preparing a teaching philosophy statement?

Publish or Perish: Strategies for Publishing Scientific Papers
- T. Ryan Gregory
Publication in peer-reviewed journals is a critical component of scientific research. This workshop provides an overview of the process of scientific publication, and presents strategies for planning and writing manuscripts, choosing an appropriate journal, and dealing with reviews. It is open to potential authors of peer-reviewed scientific papers at any level.

Seeing and Saying: Considering Point of View as a Springboard for Writing Fiction
- Kilby Smith-McGregor
Literature is where we go to try on other people’s shoes, so to speak. It’s where we find out what’s going on in other heads and other bodies—where we learn how others, real and imagined, experience the world. Through reading and writing we also tap into core emotions and insights that ring true across multiple perspectives. Compelling fiction conveys to us, via point of view, not only what a character sees but how they do so. This fiction workshop is designed to investigate different ways language can be used to express the full dimension and interiority of a given narrative perspective. What techniques do writers employ to make consciousness come alive on the page? We will look at examples of first, second, third-person and omniscient narrative voices, as well as some hybrids. This will be a small, interactive workshop with time divided between close reading, in-class writing exercises and discussion. Participants are asked to come with a pen and notebook and be prepared to engage in hands-on writing activities.

Grammar Refresher: Can I Start a Sentence with “Because”?
- Lenore Latta
The answer to the title question is a definite yes, but many people believe the answer to be no. This workshop will discuss some common grammar problems that seem minor but that can affect whether you as a writer appear competent or not. Many are grammar points that you may once have learned but now have forgotten. If you have trouble deciding whether to write “it’s” or “its”; “me,” “myself” or “I”; or “loose” or “lose,” this workshop is for you. The workshop will cover common misspellings and confusing word pairs as well as discussing how to recognize a sentence and to understand the use of pronouns. Tips and strategies will be provided for using apostrophes, commas, semi-colons, or colons. Because this workshop will cover basic grammar questions, it’s suitable for anyone who wants a refresher or who never mastered the basics. As you can see from the previous sentence, you can start with “because.”

You Can Write for Magazines and Newspapers
- Kira Vermond
You read them every day: magazine and newspaper articles that entertain, teach and even change lives. But how does an article go from idea to finished product? This workshop is for anyone who has ever wanted to write non-fiction stories for a general audience and needs an A to Z overview of how to do the deed. Kira will take participants through the process of pitching ideas, writing queries and grabbing a busy editor’s attention. You’ll also learn the 1-2-3-4-5 technique for writing clear, focused articles for a consumer audience. In other words, you’ll learn how not to sound like an academic or a newbie writer, and give editors what they want. You’ll discover what to expect during the editing process and why “deadline + word count” is the holy grail of successful freelancing. Invoicing, payment and taxes even get a mention. (And yes, you can make good money as a writer.) Have a great story idea, but don’t know how to go about writing it and getting it published? This is the workshop for you.

Writing your Dissertation in 20 Easy (Actually kind of difficult!) Steps
- JP Lewis
This workshop will present twenty concrete strategies to help the process of completing a dissertation at the Masters or Doctorate level. The strategies will draw upon previous workshops and literature based on graduate research and writing. The approaches will consider the graduate experience from a number of perspectives - from academic to social to psychological.

Yes You Can! How You Can Improve Your Writing When English is an Acquired Language
- Myra Leyden
This workshop is designed for individuals whose first language is not English and who wish to improve their written English. We will explore how language is acquired and how to exploit every day practises to improve our writing. We will move past ‘translation’ and instead, step into the world of ‘writing English’. The workshop will include writing practise and immediate feedback in a supportive environment.

A Writer's Toolbox
- Teresa Pitman
Want to write better? Want to be published? This workshop will give you practical tools that will help you achieve both goals. We'll include strategies to plan your writing, improve what you've written and overcome writer's block, as well as ways to analyze magazines and other markets for your writing, structure a query or proposal, and plan your strategy for selling your work.

The Joy of Journalling: A Personal Pleasure
- Jennifer Storey
Perhaps you have always wanted to journal, but don’t know how or have the time. Have you tried and found journalling too boring to bear? Discouraging? Useless? Have you asked yourself ‘Just what do I write about anyway?’ Or, do you journal regularly and relish it? In this session, we will discuss and explore the process of personal journalling. During our time together, we will talk and we will write!

So You Want to Write a Play?
- Sky Gilbert
This workshop is for those who have never written a play before but would like to write a play (however anyone is welcome). I would ask participants to bring a BRIEF idea for a play (a page long description is a good start) or questions about writing plays, or difficulties they have encountered in beginning to write a play or working on a play. The class will be open with a lecture on playwrighting and will continue on to a discussion of participant ideas and questions

Popular Science Writing
- Lisa Kellenberger
Most people learn about the latest scientific discoveries through popular media (newspapers, magazines, books, television), where science writers have the responsibility of bridging communication between scientists and non-scientists. Every year some of the top-selling non-fiction books are stories of science that describe not only the latest research, but also the compelling stories behind the research and the possibilities it may open. In this workshop participants will discuss how to maintain scientific accuracy while telling an interesting and accessible story. Topics will include the fundamentals of a great narrative, some basics of journalism, and the importance of good science writing. Through the analysis of recently published research articles participants will gain an understanding of how to find, read and interpret original scientific literature. The session will also explore some of the career and internship opportunities that exist in popular science writing.

Twitter: 140 Characters of Awesome
- Kyle Mackie
This workshop will quickly lead participants through some of the basics of Twitter and then dive into some exercises and strategies of how to say what you want to say effectively on Twitter. Participants are required to come with a personal Twitter account, and are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop.

Paying Attention
- Sandra Sabatini
Attention must be paid. This workshop provides immediate opportunity to focus attention on the specifics of description in creative writing with a view to making the familiar a bit strange, strange enough to avoid the cliché and to engage with felt reality as a means of conveying mood and propelling plot.

Register now

New! Longer writing drop-ins this winter

2012-01-17T19:06:00.001-05:00

In response to feedback from visitors to the writing drop-in, we are piloting longer drop-in sessions this winter. Starting Jan. 23, drop-ins will be 25 minutes long.

The drop-in operates weekday afternoons starting at 1 p.m. Visit Writing Services' website for more information

Conversation Partners Program now recruiting EAL participants and volunteers

2011-12-21T08:59:00.000-05:00

Is English an additional language for you? Would you like to improve your conversational English?

OR

Are you a fluent English-speaker who would like to get involved on campus and help others?

Consider joining the Conversation Partners Program! We are now accepting applications for English as an additional language (EAL) student participants and English-speaking volunteers. Visit the Conversation Partners website for more information.

What is Conversation Partners?

Conversation Partners is a program that links EAL students with fluent English-speaking students for English language practice. It gives EAL students an opportunity to improve their spoken English and to learn about Canadian culture as well as the academic culture at the University of Guelph. At the same time, their English-speaking partners gain an expanded appreciation of cultural diversity and cultural knowledge that is difficult to absorb through texts or lectures.

The program, which is run during Fall and Winter semesters, is operated on a volunteer basis by the Learning Commons. EAL students are matched up with English-speaking volunteers, and we attempt as much as possible to link partners with similar interests.

Please note: You must be a current University of Guelph student to participate.

Go to Conversation Partners website

Beat the crowds! Visit the residence writing drop-in Wednesday 7-9 p.m.

2011-11-29T20:01:00.001-05:00

The last residence drop-in at North and Mountain ADCs is this Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 7-9 p.m.

Speak to a Writing Peer about your assignment, get feedback on a draft, or ask that burning question you have about APA or MLA style.

And yes...you can leave your slippers on.

Regular appointments end Dec. 1

2011-11-29T19:50:00.001-05:00

Writing Services appointments with staff and peers end for the semester this Thursday, Dec. 1. The last day of the writing drop-in is Friday, Dec. 2.

If you are a graduate student, you can make an appointment during the exam period by clicking on the "Graduate Writing Appointments" link in WC Online.

We do not offer writing appointments to undergraduate students during exams, because we want to avoid inadvertently helping students with take-home exams.

If you have any questions, please email writing@uoguelph.ca

Thank you, and good luck on your exams!

How writing is a lot like flossing

2011-11-29T19:42:00.001-05:00

The relationship I have with academic writing is much like my relationship with flossing: it has taken me a long time to understand the importance of beginning the process early. For a long time, I adopted a philosophy of cramming, which would prove especially disastrous for the maintenance of my teeth.

As a result, most visits to the dentist followed a similar progression. After the obligatory conversation-about-school-with-a-metal-object-in-your-mouth had run its course, the sense of performative good cheer evaporated the moment my dentist realized that, once again, I had lied about flossing. Her surgical mask did little to conceal the maniacal glee that lit up her eyes as she dragged her hook tool across my exposed gums, displaying a sadistic lack of grace I had previously thought reserved for a child tasked with operating an oversized garden rake.

Rather than learning from this pain and humiliation, I would instead slip out the back door, hands filled with promotional tubes of toothpaste and floss that I would never use, offering an embarrassed laugh and a promise that I would “really start flossing again,” knowing full well I would find myself there once again in six months, plaque-filled and ashamed.

Much like how my continued refusal to bear the small, long term pain of flossing eventually became an immense source of pain, my ambivalent attitude towards deadlines routinely led to me handing in poor work, and filled with an ache of guilt and regret that only a dentist can inspire. I quickly realized that effective essay writing was a lot like having great teeth: for most of us, they are functions of both time and effort. While many will try to have their proverbial cake, eat it (too), and then try and floss away the evidence before the inevitable visit to the dentist, this kind of approach is rarely rewarded in university. While essay deadlines may seem far away, a little pain now is always better than a lot of pain later. Now get writing.

- Trevor Leach, Writing Peer

Writing Services: You should check out our first podcast series!

2011-11-11T15:41:00.001-05:00

In our first-ever podcast, Writing Services presents two experienced writing peers, Kelsi Morris and Abigail Slinger, who share their thoughts on close readings. The series is hosted by the inimitable Dr. J.P. Lewis. Remember: Keep your friends close...and your close readings even closer. www.writing.podbean.com

Drop-ins at Mountain and North ADCs Wednesday nights

2011-11-08T18:32:00.003-05:00

Did you know that Writing Services drop-ins are available in residence on Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m.? Drop by and speak to a Writing Peer. Bring a draft, or just bring yourself!

We hope to see you at the next Conversation Partners/LINK Cafe this Thursday, Nov. 10

2011-11-08T18:29:00.000-05:00

Participants in the Conversation Partners/LINK Program are encouraged to come out to the Conversation Cafe this Thursday, Nov. 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Library. Come and meet other students in the program and join in the conversation! Register for the cafe online.

Purpose of citation being lost in endless rules of style

2011-11-04T10:41:00.000-04:00

Kurt Schick argues that the time spent obsessing over the minutiae of style guidelines is clouding instructors' and students' attention to what really matters: engaging with sources and developing their own ideas. Chronicle of Higher Education blog

Writing in a new discipline? We can help

2011-10-18T23:04:00.000-04:00

Writing Services can help you adapt to new ways of writing or help you polish your existing strategies. Come on out to a workshop! Craving personal attention? Book an appointment or visit the drop-in to get the undivided attention of one of our staff, TAs, or peer helpers.

What's on:

Writing Politically & Analytically in Political Science
Writing in Philosophy
Effective Communication in Scientific Writing

Don’t leave your writing to the last minute!

2011-10-14T16:44:00.003-04:00

Is your computer cursor taunting you with its infernal blinking? Have you engaged in several bouts of procrasti-cleaning? Are you considering dropping out of school to join the circus? Before you do anything rash, come on in and chat with one of the friendly folks at Writing Services. We can help students at any stage of the writing process, from interpreting cryptic assignments to clarifying complicated ideas. Find out more

Conversation Cafe this Thursday, Oct. 6

2011-10-03T20:48:00.001-04:00

Join us for the Conversation Partners Conversation Cafe this Thursday, Oct. 6, 6:30-7:30. Register online!

If you're a UG student and want to join the Conversation Partners program, visit our website to register online.

Good writer? Want to help others? Become a Writing Peer!

2011-09-30T13:29:00.004-04:00

Writing Services is looking for strong students from across the disciplines to join our Writing Peer team. Writing Peers provide individual consultations to first-year students who want to improve their academic writing. Peers receive extensive training before taking on their duties, and are part of a supportive, friendly team.

Applicants must be able to commit to 3 semesters in the program.

Find out more about our team