write here, write now!

Writing Development CentreUniversity Library

facebook.com/NUlibraries

@ncl_wdc

Writing Development CentreRobinson Library

Write here, write now!

For enquiries about workshops, please email [email protected]



@ncl_wdc

Writer’s Groups: Rowena Murray’s approach

Writers groups are a way of breaking down writing into manageable sessions, setting clear goals, keeping momentum and motivating each other.

Setting Goals Free writing Review Write! Debrief

Rowena Murray (2011). How to Write a Thesis (3rd edn), MaidenHead: Open University Press.



@ncl_wdc

What would help you focus?House Rules

To help us maximise our concentration and productivity, we all agree:

Not to talk unless necessary Not to access social media or other distractions To switch phones off To stay and write unless you really need to leave To follow the format of the session To support each other ….?



@ncl_wdc

Setting goals

Five minutes:

Take turns with the person next to you to tell them what you intend to write in this session.

This helps you clarify your own aims, and motivates you as you have expressed this goal to another person



@ncl_wdc

Warming up:Freewriting

Eight minutes

Write about what you are going to write. Give yourself a writing prompt Write in full sentences Don’t stop! Don’t edit! Don’t worry about what you’re writing! No one is ever going to see this but you!

‘Warming up’ helps you overcome writers block and perfectionism, gets you in the mood to write, gives you very rough material to work with later and helps you think flexibly about your topic and capture that thinking



@ncl_wdc

Suggestions for writing prompts

What I want to write about next is… The point I am trying to argue is… The main influences on my thinking are… The way my dissertation is structured is… The main debates on this issue are… What we already know about this topic is… This chapter addresses…



@ncl_wdc

Review

Two minutes

Review what you’ve just written. Identify any useful bits you might keep Any interesting bits you might develop Any bits which aren’t relevant here but are worth

exploring elsewhere Collate useful bits into a brief plan of what you are

about to write



@ncl_wdc

Write!

Forty minutes

Write!



@ncl_wdc

Debrief

Five minutes:

Take turns with the person next to you to tell them How your writing went What needs to be done next with the text What you need to write or research next

This helps you maintain the momentum, if you make a note at the end of a session of what stage your writing is now, what you need to do with what you’ve written, and what your next steps are.



@ncl_wdc

Other writing approaches

The Pomodoro technique Distraction free writing modes Social media blockers



@ncl_wdc

Slides are online:

You can find these slides online at Slideshare:

http://www.slideshare.net/WDCNewcastle





@ncl_wdc

The Writing Development Centre

Understanding assignment types, questions, instructions and marking criteria

Critical thinking, critiquing and reviewing literature Note-taking from lectures and reading Planning and structuring writing (incl. paragraphing) Academic writing style (incl. fundamentals of grammar) Understanding and using feedback to improve your work Referencing, citing and avoiding plagiarism Managing time, work and writing (incl. writers block and

procrastination) Exams and Revision Managing research projects, dissertations and theses Presentations and posters Learning effectively in lectures, seminars, classes, labs etc



@ncl_wdc

The Writing Development CentreLevel 2, Robinson Library

Our team offers:

- One-to-one tutorials on study skills and all stages and types of academic writing

- A programme of workshops on aspects of study and academic writing

- Online resources

You can book appointments and workshops with us online: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/wdc/

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/wdc/

write here, write now!

Education