Workshops
The Graduate School offers many workshops, of varying length, to support graduate students with their writing. All workshops are open to enrolled University of Maryland graduate students free of charge. Please see the Events section for the current workshop schedule.
We welcome suggestions for workshops and will design and provide programs for specific departmental needs upon request. Please contact Dr. Linda Macri, Director of Graduate Writing Initiatives, with questions.
How to Write a Literature Review: An Introduction to Writing and Research in Graduate School
New to research at the graduate level or just need a refresher? Not sure how to move from research to writing? Join us for this workshop, offered in conjunction with librarians from the Research Commons, focusing on entering an academic conversation through research and writing. The workshop will cover graduate-specific library privileges, effective research and citation practices, writing from sources, and a general introduction to the literature review process.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017, from 10am-12pm, 6137 McKeldin. Register here.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017, from 2-4pm,6137 McKeldin. Register here.
A recording of presentation from Fall 2016 can be viewed at here and the slides are available at go.umd.edu/LitReviewPresentation.
Snack Writing: Take a Bite Out of Your Writing
Tuesday, October 17, 9:30-11:30am, Graduate Student Life Office, Stamp Student Union
Wednesday, October 18, 2-4pm, Graduate Student Life Office, Stamp Student Union
You might think you need to sit down for hours at a time to accomplish much in your writing project, but there's good research that suggests that "snack" writing, rather than "binge" writing, can be an effective way to make progress on your writing projects. Come join the GS Writing Center and the Graduate Student Life Office for a snack writing break to discover how to use just 25 minutes to move your writing forward. And, of course, we'll have snacks!
Grant Geography: Finding, Writing, and Submitting Successful Grant Applications
Tuesday, October 24, 2-3:30pm
Wednesday, October 25, 2-3:30pm
Thursday, October 26, 11am-12:30pm
This event will provide students with several tools for finding funding opportunities and guidance on how to frame your research in a grant application. Participants should bring a rough draft of their project summaries for this hands-on workshop.
Dissertation Retreats
Fall Weekend Thesis & Dissertation Retreat
Applications now being accepted at go.umd.edu/Fall2017Retreat
October 20-22 (Friday, 4:30-8pm; Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 12-5pm)
The Thesis & Dissertation Retreat will afford participants time to write along with opportunities for one-on-one consultations about their writing with Graduate School Writing Center Fellows, presentations about setting goals, structuring writing time, and addressing obstacles that may complicate progress toward completion. Participants must have an approved prospectus or thesis topic and must commit to attending each day.
The retreat is limited to 25 students. A $25 fee (to cover meals and refreshments) will be required to secure a place. Registration will open September 11, 2017.
January Thesis & Dissertation Retreat
January 8-11, 2018 Details TBA
Early Stage Dissertation Retreat
Dates TBA; end of May-beginning of June 2018
This retreat is designed specifically for students who are BEGINNING the process of writing their dissertations (depending on your program, that likely means you recently received approval for your proposed topic, but you MUST be ready to write). In this retreat, graduate students will identify and practice strategies for effective writing productivity, work on an individualized plan for writing and degree completion, have the opportunity to meet with a subject area librarian, build a peer writing support community, and, of course, spend time writing.
The retreat is limited to 25 students. A $40 fee (to cover lunch and refreshments) will be required to secure a place.
Three Minute Thesis Workshop: How to Create a Successful Presentation
Coming in Spring 2018; dates TBA
The 3MT competition challenges students to communicate the significance of their research projects to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes. Learn how at this workshop. Post-candidacy doctoral students are invited to compete in the Graduate School's 3MT Competition.
Revising and Editing Your Own Writing
You have a draft of that seminar paper or dissertation chapter – but now what? How do you move toward the next draft? Where do you begin to revise? How can you be an effective editor of your own work? In this two-hour workshop, writing fellows offer guidance on how to conceptualize and achieve effective revision. Space is limited to 12 students, and students must have a draft of a paper in progress when they attend.
Offered in the last month of the semester.