This edition of the Resource Roundup features a variety of unrelated writing topics, which might be just right for you if you're feeling a little scattered at the end of the semester. There should be something in here to help you push through those last few papers—enjoy!
Punctuation
There is no more confusing punctuation mark than the humble comma, except for, perhaps, its cousin the semicolon. Used inappropriately, these tiny marks can completely obscure or change the meaning of your sentence. Learn about how to use commas here (be sure to check out the additional pages from the lefthand sidebar), and more about semicolons here.
Interdisciplinarity
If you have a few free minutes (or if you don't, but can't bear to type another word), have a listen to this interview with all-around interdisciplinary guy Edward Tufte. He has some interesting things to say about asking questions (food for thought for researchers and writers), and some great insights on taking a multi-disciplinary approach to life and learning.
Writing Groups
I know, I know—it's the end of the semester and the last thing on your mind is joining a writing group. And you don't even have time for one during the semester. Still, I encourage you to check out these two links (here and here) with info on the benefits of writing groups, and consider that a summer-time writing group might just be a great way to stay in practice over the break, improve last semester's seminar papers, and even get started on material that could later be used in your thesis or project support paper. Just something to think about!
Tips for seminar papers
Sometimes graduate student writers seem hesitant to take a clear stance in their papers. Remember that a seminar paper is (in most cases) a paper that presents the writer's argument, research and sources that support that argument, and evidence that the writer argues against. Don't be afraid to clearly state your claim! After all, the purpose of your writing the paper is to add to the academic discussion about your topic, so you should be saying something different and new that other researchers have not explicitly said before. Here are some tips for addressing your audience, making an argument, and more about seminar papers.
As always, please get in touch if you'd like additional assistance with these or any other topics as you finish up your writing assignments for the semester! ~ Lahla
Showing posts with label writing groups. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing groups. Show all posts
November 27, 2012
In the home stretch
As the end of the semester fast approaches and deadlines loom, stress and the sense of being overwhelmed by work can send your focus and motivation out the window.
All joking aside, you are in the home stretch now, and in less than three weeks, the semester will be behind you. Hopefully you are all looking forward to a warm and restful winter break, and will finish out the semester feeling satisfied with the work you have done.
Although this is a very busy time of year, this is an ideal time to start thinking about steps you can take to make your life and your schoolwork easier next spring. Specifically, consider the power of teamwork, and think about joining a peer writing group. I'll talk more about this later, but for now, check out some FAQ's about writing groups on the MALS Writing Center website, as well as the information under "content" on the Writing Center D2L page. If you are at all interested in working with a writing group, please email me and/or post on the D2L page so we can get the ball rolling!
In a different approach to teamwork and community support, MALS is preparing to launch a new peer mentorship program. Details are coming to you via email. This spring semester, everyone enrolled in the MALS program will be eligible to participate, either as a mentor (students in their third semester and beyond) or a mentee (newly enrolled MALS students and those entering their second semester). Please look over the email and think very hard about getting involved in this program.
In the midst of all this hustle and bustle, try to make a little time in your busy schedule to unwind. You can often focus better and work more productively after stepping away from work and schoolwork for a few minutes or a few hours. This is particularly helpful if, like me, you tend to get stuck in a cycle of non-productive time wasting instead of getting your work done.
Here are a few local and on-campus happenings over the next few weeks (click the links for more information):
Walk through Slocumb Galleries in Ball Hall this week to see graduating students' BFA and MFA shows.
Beginning December 3rd, visit the same space for the annual postcard art show and silent auction fundraiser. The first weekend of December also brings First Friday and the annual Christmas Parade to downtown Johnson City.
ETSU Chorale's annual Christmas Concert takes place this Friday and Saturday in downtown Johnson City. Appalachian Studies professor Jane MacMorran, whom some of you may know, is featured on the violin.
Check out the Down Home and the Acoustic Coffeehouse for additional live music close to campus, including several upcoming performances by ETSU affiliates.
Johnson City Community Theatre's holiday comedy, "Nuncrackers," opens this Friday, November 30th, and runs for three weekends.*
For non-holiday-themed fare, Theatre Bristol presents "Peter Pan the Avenger" the first two weekends in December.
*Disclaimer: despite appearances, I am not generally a Christmas shill; the holiday tends to take over the area completely in December. If you are looking for a Christmas-free break, you can still see Halloween-themed movies or even "Brave" for $3 at the Real to Reel cinema.
 |
| via Cyanide and Happiness. |
All joking aside, you are in the home stretch now, and in less than three weeks, the semester will be behind you. Hopefully you are all looking forward to a warm and restful winter break, and will finish out the semester feeling satisfied with the work you have done.
A reminder
 |
| I'm sure none of you are in such dire straits as Patrick here. |
Your friendly neighborhood writing consultant remains available to help you with end-of-semester assignments, including both MALS and elective coursework. Even if you have never worked with me before, I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions, could use a second pair of eyes on a paper or other writing in progress, or if you simply need to vent about the stress and challenges of graduate school. Email any time at malswritingconsultant@gmail.com, and feel free to open a chat if you see me online.
I know how difficult it is to complete work far enough in advance to allow time for feedback, but keep in mind that you do not have to have a finished draft in hand in order to seek consultation! If you have a couple of pages roughed out, or even a couple of paragraphs, feel free to send them my way. Be sure to indicate the goals of the assignment (it doesn't hurt to send the original guidelines along with your work), specify any particular concerns you may have, and let me know the due date so that I can prioritize appropriately.
 |
| DON'T BE THIS GUY. via ETSU Memes. |
Thinking ahead
In a different approach to teamwork and community support, MALS is preparing to launch a new peer mentorship program. Details are coming to you via email. This spring semester, everyone enrolled in the MALS program will be eligible to participate, either as a mentor (students in their third semester and beyond) or a mentee (newly enrolled MALS students and those entering their second semester). Please look over the email and think very hard about getting involved in this program.
Take five
 |
| Don't be this guy, either. via Shoebox Blog. |
In the midst of all this hustle and bustle, try to make a little time in your busy schedule to unwind. You can often focus better and work more productively after stepping away from work and schoolwork for a few minutes or a few hours. This is particularly helpful if, like me, you tend to get stuck in a cycle of non-productive time wasting instead of getting your work done.
Here are a few local and on-campus happenings over the next few weeks (click the links for more information):
- ART
Walk through Slocumb Galleries in Ball Hall this week to see graduating students' BFA and MFA shows.
Beginning December 3rd, visit the same space for the annual postcard art show and silent auction fundraiser. The first weekend of December also brings First Friday and the annual Christmas Parade to downtown Johnson City.
- MUSIC
ETSU Chorale's annual Christmas Concert takes place this Friday and Saturday in downtown Johnson City. Appalachian Studies professor Jane MacMorran, whom some of you may know, is featured on the violin.
Check out the Down Home and the Acoustic Coffeehouse for additional live music close to campus, including several upcoming performances by ETSU affiliates.
- THEATRE
Johnson City Community Theatre's holiday comedy, "Nuncrackers," opens this Friday, November 30th, and runs for three weekends.*
For non-holiday-themed fare, Theatre Bristol presents "Peter Pan the Avenger" the first two weekends in December.
- DANCE
- GET MOVING
*Disclaimer: despite appearances, I am not generally a Christmas shill; the holiday tends to take over the area completely in December. If you are looking for a Christmas-free break, you can still see Halloween-themed movies or even "Brave" for $3 at the Real to Reel cinema.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)