This spring, The Writing Center is excited to host a variety of events that explore the questions “what is good writing?” and “how can I become a better writer?” Everyone is invited. As you will see, this year we have two kinds of events:
- Lectures and Discussions (LD). These do not require participants to bring their own writing or to do any preparation beforehand. During these sessions, there might be some activities, but everyone can participate as much or as little as they want.
- Writing Workshops (WW). Participants will need to either write during the session or bring some writing to share, or both. WWs are designed to be accessible and empowering rather than stressful, so don’t worry too much about the writing expectation.
If you have any questions or concerns about an event, please email the person leading it. If you plan to come to an event, let us know by completing this form (it’s optional, not required). You can make an appointment with a tutor on Navigate, email, or by calling us at 763-424-0927. We hope to see you soon!
Events
Introduction to Freewriting (LD)
Time: Wednesday January 18, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: Held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
Freewriting is one of the best remedies for writers’ block and anxiety. It warms up your writing muscles, raises your confidence, and, as if by magic, gives you ideas that you never knew you had. Come try it with us!
Freewriting Workshop (WW)
Time: Wednesday January 25, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: Held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
After reviewing the basics of freewriting, we will practice it together. All you need to bring is a willingness to write. If you didn’t attend the “Introduction to Freewriting” lecture and discussion, I recommend watching this video.
The “Classic” Summary (LD)
Time: Thursday February 2, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: The Writing Center LRC 169
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
Summaries don’t work when they either state what the source is “about” or explain the source’s structure: This is article is about climate change. First, it explains climate change. Second, it tells us what we should do. Instead, summaries should clearly and sharply present a source’s key ideas, as if they were jewels in a well-lit display case. We’ll talk about how to do this.
Reviewing Common Grammatical Errors (LD)
Time: Monday February 6, 11:00-11:45am and Tuesday February 7, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Both held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 592 107 8905)
Organizer: Led by Steven Ahola
Let’s Write a “Classic” Summary (WW)
Time: Thursday February 9, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: The Writing Center LRC 169
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
This is an opportunity for you to start writing a classic summary about one source, such as an online article, a book chapter, or a documentary film. To participate in this workshop, you will need to have a basic understanding of your source’s main ideas. Please bring it and any notes you have about it.
Subject-Verb Agreement (LD)
Time: Tuesday February 21, 11:00-11:45am and Thursday February 23, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Both held over Zoom (Zoom Link; Meeting ID: 592 107 8905)
Organizer: Led by Steven Ahola
Peer Review: What, Why, and How (LD)
Time: Wednesday February 22, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: Held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
One of the best ways to become a better writer is to become better at helping other people with their writing. This workshop will introduce you to the fundamental principles and practices of peer review so that you can grow as a writer as you help others.
NHCC Scholarship Application Essays: Let’s Brainstorm (LD)
Time: Thursday February 23, 3:00-3:45pm & Tuesday February 28, 11:00-11:45am
Place: The Writing Center LRC 169
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
Are you interested in getting a scholarship from NHCC? Join us as we review the opportunities, discuss the short essays that you would need to write, and brainstorm some ideas. We might even do a little writing… It’s easier than you think.
Peer Review in Action (WW)
Time: Thursday March 2, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: The Writing Center LRC 169
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
These are opportunities to practice doing peer review in a low-stakes, high-help environment. You can come to both. We’ll review the basics of peer review and then do it. Please bring one piece of writing that you would like to receive feedback on. It could be anything; don’t worry about the topic or length.
NHCC Scholarship Application Essays: Let’s Brainstorm (LD)
Time: Friday March 3, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
Are you interested in getting a scholarship from NHCC? Join us as we review the opportunities, discuss the short essays that you would need to write, and brainstorm some ideas. We might even do a little writing… It’s easier than you think.
Reviewing the Writing Process (LD)
Time: Monday March 13, 11:00-11:45am & Tuesday March 14, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Both held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 592 107 8905)
Organizer: Led by Steven Ahola
Freedom from Plagiarism: The Basics (LD)
Time: Wednesday March 15, 3:00-3:45
Place: Held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
This session answers the big questions about plagiarism and gives you strategies for using external sources ethically and skillfully while composing essays that prioritize your voice and goals.
Freedom from Plagiarism: Your Assignments (WW)
Time: Thursday March 16, 3:00-3:45pm and Wednesday March 22, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: The Writing Center LRC 169 on Thursday and Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592) on Wednesday
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
These sessions quickly present the key insights from the “Freedom from Plagiarism: The Basics” session and invite participants to share their thoughts and concerns about a writing assignment that asks them to use external sources. Please bring at least one assignment to share with the group. We’ll develop some advice for approaching these assignments. Optionally, you can bring any writing that you’ve already done.
Practical Writing: Precision and Concision (LD)
Time: Wednesday March 29, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: Held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
Writers often need to make sure that they are using the most appropriate words and as few words as possible. Join us as we explain “precision” and “concision” while giving you strategies for performing these qualities in your writing.
Verb Tenses (LD)
Time: Tuesday March 28, 11:00-11:45am and Thursday March 30, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Both held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 592 107 8905)
Organizer: Led by Steven Ahola
Punctuation and Capitalization (LD)
Time: Tuesday April 4, 11:00-11:45am and Wednesday April 5, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Both held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 592 107 8905)
Organizer: Led by Steven Ahola
Classic Writing: Clarity and Sophistication (LD)
Time: Wednesday April 5, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: Held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
Great essays add complexity, nuance, or “a twist” to readers’ understanding of something in the world while avoiding confusion and achieving clarity. But how do writers do this? Join us as we explain “clarity” and “sophistication” while giving you strategies for performing these qualities in your writing.
Reducing Wordiness and Other Editing Tips (LD)
Time: Monday April 10, 11:00-11:45am and Thursday April 13, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Both held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 592 107 8905)
Organizer: Led by Steven Ahola
Peer Review in Action (WW)
Time: Thursday April 13, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: The Writing Center LRC 169
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
This is an opportunity to practice doing peer review in a low-stakes, high-help environment. We’ll review the basics of peer review and then do it. Please bring one piece of writing that you would like to receive feedback on. It could be anything; don’t worry about the topic or length.
Freedom from Plagiarism: Your Assignments (WW)
Time: Thursday April 20, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: The Writing Center LRC 169
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
This session presents the key insights from the “Freedom from Plagiarism: The Basics” session and invites participants to share their thoughts and concerns about a writing assignment that asks them to use external sources. Please bring at least one assignment to share with the group. We’ll develop some advice for approaching these assignments. Optionally, you can bring any writing that you’ve already done.
Standards of Excellence: A Discussion (LD)
Time: Wednesday April 26, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: Held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
Standards of excellence can enable us to create writing that surpasses our own and others’ expectations, but they can also marginalize and alienate some of us. What separates empowering standards of excellence from oppressive ones? What experiences do you have with these kinds of standards? We will explore these questions in this discussion-focused event.
Romantic Writing: Spontaneity and Self (LD)
Time: Monday May 1, 3:00-3:45pm
Place: Held over Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: Led by Ed Hahn
The word “romantic” might make you think about intimate relationships, but, in the world of writing, “romantic” actually refers to a unique style that values spontaneous self-expression over rationality, clarity, sophistication, and precision. This session explores examples of the romantic style in writing, music, and art, with the goal of appreciating its contributions to global cultures as well as considering its limitation and risks.