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Writing Week

Posted on 9 February 2016

Writing Week offers you the opportunity to help yourself with a variety of workshops and drop-in sessions to hone or learn new skills and develop your writing.

New: resources from Writing Week 2016

We recorded our most popular workshops during Writing Week 2016 - see the video links below.

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Workshops explained

Building cites: reference management with EndNote Online

An introduction to reference management software, and a look through the basic principles, using the free EndNote Online application supported by the University. We’ll be looking at how to:

  • collect bibliographic information from your search results
  • organise and manage your reference collection
  • insert citations into MS Word documents

There is help for using EndNote Online (and EndNote Desktop) on the Reference Management Google site.

There is also an online Managing References tutorial on the VLE.

Let's get critical! Taking an academic approach to your reading

This session will help you to understand the importance of taking an analytical approach to reading texts. It will explore how to evaluate sources effectively, and develop practical strategies to read in an efficient and critical manner.

Improving writing skills

Find yourself wondering how to write appropriately or understand what is expected of you? Have been told that your style of writing isn’t clear? Get confused about what you have written? Understand what you have written but others seem unable to follow it? It may be that this workshop is just what you need to help you to improve your writing style. This session will cover some of the dos and don’ts of writing at university - we will focus on some of the common mistakes students make whilst writing assignments, and begin to develop some useful techniques to help improve and refine the way we write.

 

Taming the Text Processor

Everyone knows how to use a Word Processor, right? Yes, the essential idea is very straightforward, but knowing how to take a structured approach when producing academic work can save time and enable you to make full use of the advanced features available. This hands-on session focuses on approaches to using both Google Docs and Microsoft Word that will be invaluable for ‘serious’ academic work such as a dissertation or thesis, not to mention your future career.

 

Posters with a Powerful Point

Informative posters are an increasingly popular way to share information and research work at conferences and exhibitions, but what’s the best applications to use? Word? Publisher? Surprisingly good results can be obtained using PowerPoint which, although intended for presentations, shares many features with publishing applications. In this session we’ll explain and demonstrate what approach to use, how to configure PowerPoint and enhance the quality of your images and text.

 

Shut up and Write for Research Students

Having trouble finishing a thesis chapter? Starting a journal article? Writing a long overdue progress report or conference abstract? Do you need to fend off procrastination, writer's block and that 'can't get out of bed feeling?' Then this is the event for you! Shut Up and Write for Postgraduate Research Students is a simple concept - it's an opportunity for you to start, continue, or finish written work in a supportive environment with other postgraduates and an opportunity for you to prioritise writing over everything else.

 

Writing Retreat for Research Students

Need to focus on your writing? Not sure where to start? What direction to take? This half-day morning retreat offers research students short focused tasks to get your writing on track and to establish new ways of approaching writing to boost productivity. The morning will involve short tasks, concentrated writing and an opportunity to discuss your writing and its development with fellow students.

 

Find your voice and make yourself heard

Have you ever read an engaging academic article or chapter and wondered how you can write like that? We will show you how to do it! Good writing begins with understanding your audience and knowing how to communicate your thoughts effectively. Once you begin to think critically about your work, you can write it. We’ll also provide tips on how to proofread your own writing, so you don’t have to keep asking a friend to read your essay at the last minute.

Get your grammar on

Does grammar get you down? Do you see lots of notes in your feedback about tenses, punctuation and long sentences? Don’t despair! We’ll show you how to take your grammar to the next level. In this session, you will learn how to express yourself in a clear and concise way. We’ll brush up on important grammar and punctuation skills that will help you express your thoughts in writing.

Where is this going? How to structure your essay from the start

Have you ever lost your train of thought when writing and wondered, ‘Where is this going?!’ We’ve all been there, and that’s why we’re here to show you how to structure your essay from start to finish. Learn how to set the scene, write a compelling introduction and build your ideas from one paragraph to the next. We’ll show you the fundamentals of essay or chapter writing, so you can join the academic conversation in your field.

Mastering the text: note taking and analysis

Do you struggle to move from the ‘reading’ phase of your research to the ‘writing’ phase? Sometimes it’s difficult to get your thoughts in order after reading numerous articles, chapters and critics. We’ll show you various methods for taking notes, so that you can make the most of your time in the library. You will also learn a few ways to plan your essay or chapter and how to integrate quotations into your text.

Writing help all year round

Can’t make the workshops? You might want to chat to one of the following:

The Writing Centre

We offer UG and PGT students the opportunity to discuss all aspects of academic writing and together with them develop strategies to make improvements. We offer drop-in sessions and appointments. Find out more on Writing Centre pages.

Royal Literary Fund Fellows

Royal Literary Fund Fellows are professional writers themselves and provide a consultation service to help boost your confidence in your writing. If you would like some detailed practical advice about how to write more successfully, whether an undergraduate essay, postgraduate dissertation or PhD thesis, contact the Royal Literary Fund Fellows. 

Centre for English Language Teaching

The Centre for English Language Teaching provides academic skills support courses in term time and 1-to-1 writing support, particularly relating to dealing with language issues and adapting to British academic approaches. Find out more on the Centre for English Language Teaching pages.

Academic Liaison Librarians

Your department has an Academic Liaison Librarian who can help you to find the right information for your essays and make the most of our range of online resources. Find their contact details in your department’s Subject Guide or book an appointment with a librarian at a time that suits you.