Connors Writing Center Graduate Writing Services
GWS matches a graduate student with a graduate writing assistant to meet consistently with the same person throughout a semester.
What is Graduate Writing Services (GWS)?
We understand that writing a graduate thesis, dissertation, or other major project is challenging and differs from undergraduate work. To cater to the unique needs of graduate study, we offer graduate students the opportunity to link their writing center conferences by meeting with the same graduate writing assistant for up to 8 conferences each semester. We should point out that any writing center visits cannot substitute for consultation with an advisor or the services of a dedicated editor or reading group. Therefore, our services should be considered supplemental to the writing process.
What can I expect?
To sign up for GWS, grad students should fill out the form below. After we receive your form, the director of the Connors Writing Center will be in contact with you about scheduling your first intake appointment. Together, you will then discuss goals, timelines, specific writing concerns, and how the writing center operates. The Director might also provide additional resources and point graduate students towards other/ additional appropriate services on campus. Finally, the Director can then match a graduate student with a graduate writing assistant and to schedule conferences. Graduate students may make up to 8 appointments a semester. The summer session counts as its own semester.
The graduate student and graduate writing assistant may address:
• the writing process
• self-editing skills
• weekly work schedules
• time management
• structural and organizational concerns
• argumentation
• anxiety-reducing techniques
A graduate writing assistant will act as a sounding board, brainstorming partner, and informed— though general—reader. While graduate students may use these sessions as they see fit, proofreading and copy editing are not among the functions the Writing Center will provide. If a graduate student wishes sustained editing to be done on their behalf, we can provide a list of professional editors.
For questions regarding GWS, please contact writing.center@unh.edu
Additional Resources for Graduate Student Writers
- Thesis and Dissertation Writing Handouts
- SAGE publishers resource page with a collection of books pertaining to many stages of the graduate writing experience (from dissertation proposals to defense, data collection, research design, etc.).
- WAC Clearinghouse text on "Re-Imagining Doctoral Writing"
- University of Pennsylvania's resource on how to write a CV for a faculty job application.
- New York University's page on using CV Templates.
