Full descriptions for our Spring 2021 graduate writing groups appear below. As a reminder, groups begin meeting in Week 3 of the semester (the week of Feb. 8-12). Note that weekly attendance is required for registered groups.
MONDAY MORNING GRADUATE WRITING GROUP
Meeting time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Format: Registered (same attendees each week, attendance required)
Facilitator: varies from week to week
This graduate writing group will meet via Zoom, with synchronous opening and closing sessions utilizing audio and video, plus a collaborative Google Doc for sharing goals with each other. Participants will have the chance to share strategies for time management and productivity, getting unstuck, scheduling writing time, setting and revising writing goals, and more. The majority of each week’s meeting time will be given over to writing. Facilitation over the course of the semester will be provided by experienced Writing Center leaders.
TUESDAY MORNING GRADUATE WRITING GROUP
Meeting day/time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Format: Registered (same attendees each week)
Facilitator: Lisa Marvel Johnson
The Tuesday morning writing group will connect each week at 9:00 AM on Google Docs where you will note your goals for your writing. At 9:05, we will convene synchronously through Zoom to chat about a discussion question related to the writing process, time management, the technology we use to accomplish our writing tasks, and other relevant topics. We may answer these questions in small groups, through the chat feature of Zoom, or in large group discussion. Between 9:15 and 11:45, you’ll get words down on paper in order to accomplish your writing goals and Lisa will be available for short one-to-one conferences. At 11:45, you’ll take a moment to note your progress on our Google Doc. Our final Zoom check-in will be from 11:50 to noon. In these closing minutes we’ll troubleshoot any issues and celebrate your accomplishments.
TUESDAY EVENING GRADUATE WRITING GROUP
Meeting time: 6:00-9:00 PM CST
Format: Registered (same attendees each week, attendance required)
Facilitator: Dottie Mayne
This graduate writing group will meet via Zoom, with synchronous opening and closing sessions utilizing audio and video. We will also use a collaborative Google Doc to share our goals for our writing sessions and to frame opening and closing sessions around weekly themes like getting started, getting unstuck, and managing time. In addition, there will be options to schedule brief, one-to-one conferences with the facilitator during this group's meeting time over the course of the semester.
WEDNESDAY MORNING GRADUATE WRITING GROUP FOR SECOND LANGUAGE WRITERS
Meeting time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Format: Drop-in (attend when you’re available)
Facilitator: Dottie Mayne
This drop-in graduate writing group is for graduate students for whom English is a second language. Whether you’ve been writing in English as a second language since primary school, you’ve recently started doing academic work in English, or anything in between, you will be able to find community with your peers through this group. We will meet via Zoom, with synchronous opening and closing sessions utilizing audio and video. We will also use a collaborative Google Doc to share our goals for our writing sessions and to frame opening and closing sessions around weekly themes like editing for errors with articles, asking for help, and strategies for growing your vocabulary. In addition, there will be options to schedule brief, one-to-one conferences with the facilitator during this group's meeting time over the course of the semester.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON GRADUATE WRITING GROUP
Meeting day/time: Wednesdays, 1:00-4:00 PM CST
Format: Registered (same attendees each week, attendance required)
Facilitator: Ellen Cecil-Lemkin
This graduate writing group will meet via Zoom each week to briefly establish writing goals for the session, write for the majority of the time, and allow participants the opportunity to give and receive peer feedback on their writing. During the allotted writing time, the facilitator will be available for short one-to-one conferences with participants to help them set goals, brainstorm ideas, and get an outsider's perspective on their writing.
WEDNESDAY EVENING GRADUATE WRITING GROUP FOR AOF SCHOLARS
Meeting day/time: Wednesdays, 5:00-8:00 PM CST
Format: Registered (same attendees each week)
Facilitator: Gabbi Kelenyi
Generously funded by the College of Letters and Science and facilitated by the Writing Center, the AOF Scholars Writing Group offers a terrific opportunity for AOF Scholars to come together in community, be productive, and support one another in their writing projects, whether seminar papers, conference presentations, dissertation chapters, job market materials, or anything else. We will meet via Zoom each week to share writing goals for the session, write for the majority of the time, and have the opportunity to meet with other group members to give and receive feedback. Additionally, during the allotted writing time, the facilitator will be available for short one-on-one conferences with participants to help them set goals, brainstorm ideas, get unstuck, and provide an outsider's perspective on their writing. This group is for all AOF cohorts, whether you are currently on fellowship or not. We welcome AOF Scholars in their first year and all the way up to those about to graduate.
[TO SIGN UP FOR THE AOF SCHOLARS WRITING GROUP, please go here:
https://forms.gle/Zr1ptjs3kzkHguz86]
THURSDAY MORNING GRADUATE WRITING GROUP
Meeting time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Format: Registered (same attendees each week)
Facilitator: Chrissy Widmayer
This graduate writing group will meet via Zoom, with synchronous opening and closing sessions (video optional) in which we will discuss issues like creating a writing schedule, setting small goals, getting unstuck, and navigating writing challenges for long projects. We will start each opening session with time to fill out a weekly goals sheet shared through Google Docs, which will be revisited in closing sessions. We will make use of breakout rooms as a chance to discuss goals and challenges in small groups. The bulk of our time together will be writing time--which you can do while remaining present in Zoom or independently. Occasionally, the facilitator will provide short (optional) readings as resources for overcoming challenges. In addition, there will be options to schedule brief, one-to-one conferences with the facilitator during this group's meeting time over the course of the semester.
FRIDAY MORNING GRADUATE WRITING GROUP
Meeting time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Format: Drop-in (attend when you’re available)
Facilitator: Angela Zito
This drop-in graduate writing group will gather to write via Google Docs and Google Meet. Our “home base” will be a shared Google Doc where all can share their goals, strategies, and encouragement with one another. You will have the option to see and talk with your colleagues during brief check-ins at the start and end of our sessions in Google Meet. If you’re so inclined, you can write with your camera on alongside others to get that coffee-shop feel, or you can write independently and rejoin the group at the end of the session. Additionally, the facilitator will be available for brief, one-to-one conferences during the group's meeting time if you would like to brainstorm ideas, address writing barriers, or find new strategies and resources.
Please let us know your preferences below. We will let you know your writing group assignment by Friday, February 5, and you'll receive follow-up communication from your facilitator (including a meeting link) before your group’s first scheduled meeting.