Department of English

Graduate Tutoring Available at the Writing Center
Writing Resources for Graduate Students
Resources for English Graduate Students
Seminars in Writing Instruction for Main-Campus Graduate Students

---

Graduate Tutoring Available at the Writing Center

The Writing Center offers tutoring session for graduate students.  Graduate students will only be tutored by graduate student tutors.  You can simply walk in (Lauinger Library 217A - next to Midnight Mug) or call to make an appointment (202-687-4246) - appointments are recommended.  Please visit the Writing Center website for hours of operation and more detailed information about what the Center offers.

---

Writing Resources for Graduate Students

Most of the writing resources on the web are aimed at undergraduate writers making it difficult to find information about writing a master's thesis.  Many students struggle with how to tackle such a large project, from devising a topic to managing your time.  Below are some sites that may be of help.  In general, there are more writing resources related to dissertation-level writing, but much of the advice can be amended to an MA thesis.  Also, below are helpful links to CV writing guide and other professional writings. 

• Brown University's Writing Center: Resources for graduate students ranging from dissertation and grant writing to finding a job outside of academia.
  
• UNC's Writing Center Handout:"Writing your Dissertation":This handout on dissertation writing may also be helpful for MA students beginning to write their theses. At the end there is a bibliography of books on dissertation writing as well as a long list of links to other sites which may be of interest to writers.  Several of the links do not work but the links are still worth checking out.
  
• Guide to Writing and Defending your M.A. Thesis and Ph.D. Dissertation: Written by S. Joseph Levine, Ph.D. Michigan State University, this page offers helpful guide to thinking about, preparing, writing, and defending your MA thesis or PhD dissertation.
  
• The All-But-Dissertation Survival Guide: A newsletter for ABDs.  Some of the advice about time management and procrastination are applicable to thesis writers as well.

---

 

Seminars in Writing Instruction for Main-Campus Graduate Students

Since 1983 the GU Writing Program has sponsored training in the teaching of writing for graduate students in disciplines other than English. We invite TAs from various departments to apply to participate in this spring semester training which consists of 8 meetings to discuss approaches to teaching composition. Readings, discussions, and assignments include the following: writing in the disciplines; the process of writing; designing assignments; roles of speaking, reading, and writing; shaping discussion groups; research in teaching; evaluating student writing; and designing writing intensive courses. We expect the graduate students to work carefully and closely with student writing throughout the training. Graduate students accepted for this training are awarded the title of "Writing Center Fellows" and receive a stipend.