This fall, 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.
Clicking the date/time should allow you to download a calendar invitation. If you have any questions or concerns about an event, please email the person leading it.
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
Freewriting: An Introduction
Sessions: Wednesday August 30, 1:00-1:45pm & September 6, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: 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!
The Classic Summary
Sessions: Wednesday September 13, 1:00-1:45pm & September 20, 3:30-4:15pm
Place: Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: Ed Hahn
Summaries don’t work if they just declare what the source is “about” and discuss the source’s structure, as in: “This is article is about climate change. First, it explains climate change. Second, it tells us what we should do.” Nope! Summaries should clearly and sharply present a source’s key ideas, as if they were carefully selected jewels in a well-lit display case. Join us to find out how to do this like a pro.
Grammar Review
Sessions: Tuesday September 19, 11:00-11:45am & Wednesday September 20, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Zoom (Meeting ID: 592 107 8905)
Organizer: Steven Ahola
Freedom from Plagiarism: Writing & Academic Integrity
Sessions: Wednesday September 27, 1:00-1:45pm & October 25, 3:30-4:15pm
Place: Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: 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.
The Writing Process
Sessions: Monday October 2, 11:00-11:45am & Thursday October 5, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Zoom (Zoom Link; Meeting ID: 592 107 8905)
Organizer: Steven Ahola
Finding and Using Sources: A Practical and Conceptual Approach
Sessions: Wednesday October 4, 3:30-4:15pm & October 16, 12:00-12:45pm
Place: Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: Ed Hahn with Librarian Craig Larson
This session answers three big questions about research: 1) why might I need sources? 2) what can I do with sources? and 3) how can I find sources? We’ll explore the big reasons why writers draw on sources and then “walk our talk” by searching for sources together.
Peer Review: What, Why, and How
Sessions: Wednesday October 11, 1:00-1:45pm & November 29, 3:30-4:15pm
Place: Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: Ed Hahn
One of the best ways to become a better writer is to become better at helping other writers with their writing. This session will introduce you to the fundamental principles and practices of peer review so that you can help others in ways that help yourself too.
Editing Tips
Sessions: Tuesday October 24, 11:00-11:45am & Thursday October 26, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Zoom (Zoom Link; Meeting ID: 592 107 8905)
Organizer: Steven Ahola
Practical Writing: Precision and Concision
Session: Wednesday November 1, 1:00-1:45pm
Place: Zoom (Meeting ID: 666 027 3592)
Organizer: 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 explore “precision” and “concision” while giving you strategies for performing these qualities in your writing.
Classic Writing: Clarity and Sophistication
Session: Wednesday November 8, 3:30-4:15pm
Place: 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 explore “clarity” and “sophistication” while giving you strategies for performing these qualities in your writing.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Sessions: Monday November 20, 11:00-11:45am & Tuesday November 21, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Zoom (Meeting ID: 592 107 8905)
Organizer: Steven Ahola
Capitalization and Punctuation
Session: Tuesday December 5, 11:00-11:45am
Place: Zoom (Meeting ID: 592 107 8905)
Organizer: Steven Ahola