Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program
Graduate Writing Project
With support from the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program offers a range of services designed for graduate-student writers at the University of Rochester. The Graduate Writing Project organizes Writing Workshops, supports Writing Groups, hosts Writing Boot Camps, and has recently begun offering Grad-only Consulting Sessions. We support graduate students from the Arts, Sciences, and Engineering at any stage in their program, working on any kind of academic writing and research, from abstracts and article submissions to theses and dissertations.
Writing Workshops
Workshops are focused on research and writing strategies that can be applied across the disciplines. Most workshops offer a hands-on structure, requiring that participants engage in discussion or work in small groups. Some topics are suggested by graduate students or emerge from their writing experiences. Past topics have included writing with confidence, responding to reader feedback, and developing effective writing strategies. See the calendar below for upcoming workshops.
Our most popular workshop, “Writing Strategies”, is offered each semester. Participants come with a particular project or goal in mind and visit different strategy stations around the room. Workshop leaders (including librarians and writing consultants) help participants work through particular goals related to writing principles and strategies, time management and citation management software.
Writing Groups
Writing Groups are dedicated to the work of writing and help writers establish and meet short- and long-term writing goals. To help support writing groups, we offer a starter package with information on how to begin and maintain a successful writing group. We also have consultants available to visit your writing group for the purposes of teaching particular writing strategies, reviewing time management skills, or to help group members develop reasonable goals based on his or her writing project. We also have limited space available for writing groups seeking a relatively quiet space to write on campus.
Writing Groups set their own schedules, and each group member establishes his/her own writing goals. Unlike other models of writing groups that focus on reader responses and peer reviewing, GWP-supported writing groups focus on the writing process by setting goals and using sessions to write. Successful groups tend to have 3-5 members and meet consistently over a single semester. For many writers, Writing Groups provide the sense of community, support, and accountability needed to complete extended writing projects.
Writing Boot Camps
Boot Camps are structured writing sessions for which we provide the space, snacks, and strategy-based support so that you can focus solely on writing. A workshop on the first day will help you learn how to create a specific personal plan and concrete writing goals. Tutors are available during Boot Camps to offer feedback on your writing, discuss your writing process, provide a sounding board for ideas, and more generally help you maintain good progress toward your writing goals.
Boot Camps are held over the summer and throughout the academic year, and can last anywhere from 3 to 5 days (typical writing sessions last between three and four hours). Registration is limited and requires a deposit, which will be returned in full upon completion of all requirements, which includes attendance and progress toward personal writing goals.
Grad-Only Tutoring Hours
Grad-only tutoring hours are now available! The Writing and Speaking Center provides tutoring support for all members of the university community, however, there are now dedicated hours just for graduate students. We welcome writers of all levels and abilities to visit the Writing and Speaking Center—all writers need readers! Whether you’re working on a seminar paper, a conference paper, a dissertation proposal, or a fellowship application, Writing Consultants can help at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to revising. While we cannot provide subject-area expertise or proofreading services, we can discuss writing strategies and principles, and share reader-based feedback on your work as general academic readers.
Calendar
Additional Resources
The Writing and Speaking Center
Graduate students may also schedule conferences with Writing and Speaking Center Consultants. While we do not offer proofreading or editing services, our Consultants will work with you to help you achieve your goals for your writing project. Before using the online scheduling system, you will need to call 585-273-3584 or stop by Rush Rhees Library G-121 to have your contact information added to our database.
Contact us!
General Email: gradwriting@ur.rochester.edu
Rachel Lee, Graduate Writing Project Coordinator: rachel.lee@rochester.edu
Liz Tinelli, Graduate Writing Project Coordinator: liztinelli@gmail.com
