Reverse Outlining+ 

Thursday, April 20 @ 4 PM; register here

When it comes to academic writing, that actual process of putting one’s research and thinking down on paper tends to derail even the best-laid plans; no matter how clear one’s initial outline or mental blueprint, things happen and, as a result, many people end up with a first draft that’s anywhere from a bit unruly to a total mess. In this webinar, participants will be introduced to a reverse outlining technique that can help to gain a clearer view of a draft’s current paragraph-by-paragraph structure in order to figure out what is and isn’t working, and thus to make a plan for structural revision. There will also be a brief introduction to other outlining techniques.

 

The Anatomy of a Good Hook 

Thursday, April 27 @ 3 PM; register here

When drafting a seminar paper, dissertation chapter, or article, many graduate students know that they want to start with “a good hook.” But what makes a hook “good?” What makes it “hook” the reader? In this webinar, students will consider a range of examples in order to unpack the core elements of a good hook. By the end of the session, participants will have a clear understanding of a good hook’s elements and organizing structure.

 

Statement of Purpose for the PhD Application 

May 1 @ 8PM; register here

Among the documents one has to craft for a PhD application, the statement of purpose is one of the trickiest to get right. On the one hand, you need to demonstrate that you have some kind of research agenda already in mind. On the other hand, you aren’t a PhD student yet, so how are you supposed to know what you are going to research? This webinar helps participants understand the expectations of the readers they are writing for and how to strike a good balance between personal narrative and academic certainty.