On your request, The Learning Center (ULC) will send a representative to any of your classes to give a general overview of the center and its services, consisting of a PowerPoint presentation, a tour of the website, and instructions for making an appointment (PDF).
The Learning Center also offers various writing-related workshops (see common topics below), all of which can be tailored to fit particular needs.
To schedule a visit and/or a workshop, submit the Workshop Request Form.
Monthly Faculty Writing Workshop
Next meeting: Thursday, May 2, 4:00 p.m.
Once a month, ULC hosts a writing workshop for faculty members. This is an opportunity for you to obtain feedback on your own creative and professional writing and, more important, to build a writing community across academic disciplines. The focus is on challenging and developing individual style through peer critique and exposure to other styles and genres.
Please bring five copies of a two- to three-page articles, chapter or excerpt, blog, essay, story for discussion and critique. Any topic or genre is welcome.
As teachers, we spend a lot of time nurturing our students' development as thinkers, writers, and creators. This workshop allows us to nurture one another.
Download the Workshop Flyer (PDF).
Special Faculty Workshop: Teaching Academic Writing
Last offered February 20.
In this workshop, we review the fundamentals of academic essay writing, present writing activities you can use with your classes, provide tips on what to look for and address when reviewing a student essay, and discuss how to provide effective criticism. As a group, we review and critique samples of actual student work.
Download the Workshop Flyer (PDF)
Common In-class Workshop Topics
Fundamentals of the Academic Essay
Writers of all abilities benefit from this exploration of the essay from pre-writing to conclusion. The role of writing as a process, as well as academic writing and its conventions and purpose, forms the basis of the discussion.
How to Develop a Strong Thesis
A solid thesis statement dictates the architecture of an essay. In this workshop, the presenter reviews the characteristics of a strong thesis as well as pitfalls to avoid. The presenter then discusses how creating a well-defined thesis statement helps organize ideas and define perspectives while enhancing a paper’s clarity.
Plagiarism and Citation
This workshop explains what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it. The session familiarizes students with the concept of crediting one’s sources and discusses when and how to quote, paraphrase, or summarize various sources. The workshop also provides an overview of The Chicago Manual of Style’s rules for citations and footnotes. Particular attention is given to the appropriate citation of art, book, film, music, and Internet sources.
Oral Presentations
This workshop helps students develop their oral presentation skills, whether they are confident public speakers or fearful of speaking in front of an audience. The workshop leader demonstrates and discusses techniques for engaging an audience and feeling comfortable and confident in front of even the toughest crowds. This workshop works particularly well for students who are preparing for a presentation and have a work in progress to practice with.
Faculty Handouts
Preventing Plagiarism: What Faculty Can Do (PDF)
How You Can Help Us Help Your Students (PDF)
