Workshops and Events

The Writing Center offers four different workshops series: Academic and Professional Writing Workshops, General Writing Workshops, Grammar Hour, and Beyond the Classroom.

Academic and Professional Writing Workshops

The Academic and Professional Writing Workshops are designed to help you with writing issues you might encounter during your time as a student here at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

  • Dissertation Boot Camp
    Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013 - Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013
    9 a.m. - noon
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    This three-day event will help graduate students cultivate the writing and time-management skills they need to finish a dissertation.
          
  • How to Plan and Write a Paper
    Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    This workshop will discuss the fundamentals of the writing process.
    >> Register here
               
  • How to Use APA
    Friday, Sept. 20, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    Using APA format can be intimidating. This session will help you navigate the APA manual and other resources so that you can write and cite like a pro. One lucky student will win a free copy of the APA manual.
    >> Register here
          
  • How to Craft an Argument
    Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    Though important, no amount of grammatical correctness can cover up a shoddy idea; a well-crafted argument is the basis of successful and persuasive writing. This workshop will address the fundamentals of analyzing and crafting arguments
    >> Register here
            
  • How to Write an Abstract
    Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    This session will help graduate students write the abstracts required for journal articles, conference papers, and fellowship applications. We will consider the elements of convincing abstracts in various disciplines. Then, students will assemble their own abstracts, piece by piece. If possible, students should bring a draft of their article or paper for this hands-on workshop.
    >> Register here
                
  • How to Incorporate Sources
    Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013 
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    Incorporating sources is a key aspect of scholarship. This workshop will help you learn the art of summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting your sources.
    >> Register here
             
  • How to Write a Resume and Cover Letter
    Wednesday Nov. 20, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    An attention-grabbing, polished resume and cover letter will help you stand out from the rest of the applicant pool. This workshop will offer suggestions for writing a successful resume and cover letter.
    >> Register here
             
  • How to Give a Presentation
    Monday, Dec. 9, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    Does public speaking give you the jitters? This workshop will discuss strategies for creating and delivering engaging presentations.
    >> Register here

General Writing Workshops

The General Writing Workshops cover essential writing skills that you can put to use anywhere.

  • You Can Has Grammar!
    Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    Not sure if it is "you and I" or "you and me"? This workshop will provide you with a brief refresher on common grammatical mistakes so that you can write with confidence.
    >> Register here
        
  • How to Brainstorm Ideas
    Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    Few things are as intimidating as staring at a blank page, waiting for a good idea to arrive. This workshop will explore time-tested techniques for finding ideas and having something interesting to say about them.
    >> Register here
           
  • How to Read Critically
    Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 311
    Most people can describe their writing process, but very few consider how they go about reading. This workshop will focus on strategies for improving reading speed and comprehension.
    >> Register here
             
  • How to Overcome Writer's Block
    Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    Sometimes, getting started is the most challenging part of writing. This workshop will present strategies for productive writing sessions.
    >> Register here
              
  • How to Revise and Self-Edit
    Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 223
    This hands-on workshop will provide revision strategies for longer texts in addition to suggestions for improvement at the sentence level.  We will look at common problems like the overuse of weak verbs, passive voice, and nominalizations as well as offer specific tips to strengthen clarity, organization, and flow. Students should bring a hard copy of their work.
    >> Register here
            
  • How to Outline
    Friday, Nov. 15, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    Outlining is a vital skill when writing longer papers. It helps you identify your main ideas, present them in a logical manner, and avoid tangents.  This workshop will teach strategies for organizing papers before you write them.
    >> Register here

Grammar Hour

Grammar Hour is an ongoing workshop series designed to help ESL students and scholars improve their mastery of the English language.

  • Introduction and Parts of Speech
    Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    >> Register here
         
  • Verbs
    Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    >> Register here
          
  • Nouns
    Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    >> Register here
            
  • Articles
    Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 223
    >> Register here
          
  • Prepositions
    Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    >> Register here
            
  • Adjectives and Adverbs
    Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    >> Register here
         
  • Idioms
    Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    >> Register here

Beyond the Classroom

There is more to writing than grammar and coursework. Workshops in the Beyond the Classroom series will help you gain a greater appreciation for writing and literature. 

  • How to Read a Novel
    Friday, Nov. 22, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    Wish that you could get more out of your pleasure reading than just a plotline? This workshop will present strategies for approaching and appreciating literature.
    >> Register here
           
  • How to Read a Poem
    Friday, Dec. 13, 2013
    1 - 2 p.m.
    SMC Campus Center Rm 353
    Poetry is an art form that rewards reading between the lines. This workshop will present strategies for approaching and appreciating poems.
    >> Register here

Other Events

  • Writing for Wellness: A Source of Renewal. A Path for Healing 
    Mondays from Sept. 16 - Oct. 7, 2013
    Noon - 1 p.m.
    Writing is a tool that can help us move through suffering by first exploring it. It's a way to let go of painful emotions and memories. Through writing we can search for meaning and explore new identities and pathways to wholeness. This four-week workshop series is presented by the Wellness Hub and the Center for Integrative Medicine. No writing experience is necessary. Registration is required. For more information or to register for the workshop series, visit the website.