How to Make a Writing Appointment at the Academic Support Center
In-person or Zoom appointments can be scheduled using Academic SupportNet, found on Okta. Writing specialists are available throughout the week to help you understand, brainstorm, revise, or polish any writing assignment, big or small.
Why am I writing this paper, and how do I do it?
Scholarly writing has a clear purpose. It advances knowledge in the field and aims to convince others by providing new evidence, challenging previous beliefs, and/or offering a new perspective on a topic. Ask yourself what goal you are aiming for before you begin to write.
How do I make a clear and focused thesis and maintain that focus?
The thesis presents your argument. It should make a debatable point, not merely state facts. Once you have established your purpose, summarize the main point of your argument in your thesis.
Questions for a writing appointment at the Academic Support Center:
Is my purpose consistent throughout my project?
Do all topics relate to my thesis?
Could my focus be more narrow?
Appointments can be scheduled using Academic SupportNet, found on Okta. Writing specialists are available throughout the week to help you understand, brainstorm, revise, or polish any writing assignment, big or small.
How do I make my ideas flow?
An outline is a plan for your paper and helps you to organize your thoughts and arguments. A good outline can make conducting research and writing the paper very efficient. The more details you add to your outline, the easier drafting will become. If you didn’t initially start with an outline and need to reorganize what you’ve already written, reverse outline your paper to clarify your argument and see if any paragraphs need to be repositioned.
Want to lay your paper's topics out visually? Use a mind map: www.gitmind.com
What is a topic sentence and how do I write them?
Topic sentences glue your ideas between paragraphs together. They introduce the idea of a paragraph and prepare readers for the next set of ideas by explaining how they relate to the overall claim. When revising your paper, look for the topic or main point of each paragraph, whether it is stated or implied. Does every sentence expand, support, or otherwise related to the topic?
How to Write a Well-Developed Paragraph
Questions for a writing appointment at the Academic Support Center:
Is my purpose consistent throughout my project?
Do all topics sentences relate to my thesis?
Could my focus be narrowed?
How do I write an effective introduction and conclusion?
Appointments can be scheduled using Academic SupportNet found on Okta. In addition, writing specialists are available throughout the week to help you understand, brainstorm, revise, or polish any writing assignment, big or small.
What’s the difference between quoting evidence or paraphrasing evidence?
Information that proves a point as plausible is evidence. Different types of evidence have varying degrees of appropriateness in academic writing. There are two ways to include evidence: quoting or paraphrasing. Each is used for distinct purposes and provides different elements in writing, including different jumping off points for analysis.
How do I talk about my evidence and create a “seamless” integration?
Once evidence is included, it needs to connect and support the writer’s ideas, which are always at the center of writing. A good technique for fully explaining evidence is asking/answering questions that reflect why the evidence was selected and how it relates to other evidence, ideas, and conclusions. Remember to ask yourself, how does this information prove my topic sentence? What does my audience need to recognize about it? Why is it important evidence to consider?
Questions for a writing appointment at the Academic Support Center:
What can I do to improve the balance of quoting, paraphrasing, and my own analysis? Is it always clear when I am referring to outside sources?
Where am I connecting my evidence and conclusions well, and where could I improve?
Are there any pieces of evidence that need further examination, in terms of credibility?
Appointments can be scheduled using Academic SupportNet found on Okta. In addition, writing specialists are available throughout the week to help you understand, brainstorm, revise, or polish any writing assignment, big or small.
How do I know if I’m using academic language?
Scholarly writing involves the use of academic language. Doing so does not necessarily mean using big, fancy words. Try to get your message across as clearly and concisely as possible. Eliminate words that do not add meaning to the sentence. One of the best ways to improve your academic writing is to read academic literature.
How can I "fix" my grammar and punctuation?
Punctuation serves as a tool to allow your reader to easily understand your message. Read your paper out loud and listen for pauses. Ask yourself, “Do I need a comma here? A period?” Reading out loud will also help you realize when your sentences are too long.
How can I proofread my paper?
Careful proofreading is essential. Try reading your paper out loud to yourself or give it to someone else to read out loud to you.
Questions for a writing appointment at the Academic Support Center:
Based on my draft, what rules of grammar and punctuation should I brush up on?
Where could I improve my word choice?
Appointments can be scheduled using Academic SupportNet found on Okta. In addition, writing specialists are throughout the week to help you understand, brainstorm, revise, or polish any writing assignment, big or small.
