Graduate Writing Group Interest Form (Spring 2021)
***Note that the initial deadline (Wednesday, February 3) for being considered for a graduate writing group this fall has passed, but if you would like to be considered for additional openings or for our waitlist, you can fill out this form.***

The Writing Center is offering several options for weekly graduate writing groups this spring, including (a) registered groups that require weekly attendance, and (b) drop-in writing groups (see below for full descriptions of each group). Led by experienced instructors, these groups provide an opportunity for sustained writing practice within a community of other graduate student writers. All Spring 2021 writing groups will take place virtually with options for synchronous, real-time (video, audio, text-based) engagement.

Writing groups will begin meeting in Week 3 of the semester (the week of Feb. 8-12) and continue meeting through Week 14 (the week of Apr. 26-30).
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Demographic Information
Please let us know a bit about yourself.
Last name: *
First name: *
Preferred name (if different from first name): *
Personal pronouns:
WiscMail Address *
Please provide your UW-Madison email address only.
Department / Program *
Status *
Writing Group Preferences
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.

My FIRST choice for a writing group is: *
My SECOND choice for a writing group is: *
My THIRD choice for a writing group is: *
What is your interest in attending the Wednesday morning drop-in group for multilingual writers (9:00 AM-12:00 PM)? *
Required
What is your interest in attending the Friday morning drop-in group (9:00 AM-12:00 PM)? *
Required
Are you an AOF Scholar with interest in attending the Wednesday evening writing group for AOF Scholars?  
Clear selection
Please feel free to add any information that would aid in assigning you to a writing group (e.g., groups that you cannot attend, groups that you can attend in addition to your choices above, other extenuating circumstances).
Why would you like to join a writing group? *
What kind of project will you be working on (e.g., dissertation, article, proposal, seminar paper, other)? *
Have you participated in one or more of our graduate writing groups in the past? If so, how many semesters/summers? *
Have you participated in a virtual graduate writing group OR virtual Dissertation Writing Camp in the past? *
Since accountability and community are the basis for successful writing groups, and since we have limited spots available, we have to give priority to graduate students who can fully commit to attending our registered groups. Can you commit to attending **every week for the full three hours**? *
If you cannot attend your registered group every week, will you let your group facilitator know **in writing** the date(s) that you will be unavailable? *
Is there anything else that you would like us to know about your experience in writing groups or in relation to your responses above?
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