Writing a term paper for the first—or even the thirtieth time—can be daunting, especially when you have several due over the course of a single week of finals! To help students cope with the challenges of writing essays and conducting research, Paperdue will be offering a series of workshops over the summer, to help students break down the process of academic writing into a manageable, systematic, step-by-step approach. Some of the subjects covered will include:

Getting started
Sometimes this can be the most difficult part of the process. Brainstorming ideas, dealing with procrastination, and figuring out what the professor really wants before starting to write are some of the topics that will be covered in this workshop.

Doing research
Understanding the difference between legitimate and illegitimate academic sources; using academic databases; and the importance of peer-reviewed research will be addressed.

Proper citation
The Modern Language Association (MLA) method of citation is most commonly used in the humanities; the American Psychological Association (APA) method of citation is most commonly used in the social sciences. Other common methods include the Turabian/Chicago style and Harvard styles of citation. Learning how to cite sources isn’t difficult, but it is important to be consistent.

Outlining
Using both formal and informal outlines can be helpful in ensuring the paper ‘flows’ together and makes logical sense.

‘Putting it all together’
Developing your argument, proofreading, and using proper academic language are some of the topics that will be covered in this workshop on ‘refining’ your prose.

For more information on these workshops or to join one, please contact us at [email protected]