ESL Grammar/Writing Seminar Schedule
ESL Grammar and Writing Workshops
Can’t remember the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses? Need a refresher on when to use the literary present? This workshop series is designed for the ESL graduate student who is looking for a little extra help on English grammar and writing style.
Students are encouraged to attend each workshop in the series because each workshop has been created to build and develop a series of specific skills.
The topics for each week are as follows:
Tense
Why is it that when we write about the work of someone long gone, we use the present tense, but when we write about the person we use the past? This workshop explores how to choose your tenses and to check that your use remains consistent throughout your work.
Monday, September 21st – 1-2pm, GSU 310-311
Friday, October 9th – 12noon-1pm, GSU 310-311
Wednesday, October 28th – 6-7pm, GSU 320-321
Sentence Structure
When should a clause be made restrictive? How do I make sure my modifier modifies what I want it to? How can I write a complex sentence without creating a run-on?
Friday, September 25th – 12noon-1pm, GSU 310-311
Wednesday, October 7th – 6-7pm, CAS 220
Monday, October 26th – 1-2pm, GSU 320-321
Commas and Advanced Punctuation
Whether to set off an appositive, to indicate members in a list, or to add clarity to a compound sentence, the comma is everywhere in English writing but remains one of the most exasperating pieces of punctuation. This workshop set also deals with how to use elements such as the dash, ellipsis, colon, and single and double quotation marks.
Wednesday, September 23rd – 6-7pm, GSU 310-311
Monday, October 5th – 1-2pm, GSU 310-31
Friday, October 30th – 12-1pm, GSU 320-321
Prepositions and Articles
Why do we get in a car, but on a bus? Why do we talk about the beauty of nature, but the softness of the bed? Prepositions and articles rarely (if ever) translate exactly from one language to another, yet can dramatically change the meaning of a phrase.
Wednesday, September 30th – 6-7pm, GSU 310-31
Monday, October 19th – 1-2pm, GSU 320-321
Friday, November 20th – 12-1pm, GSU 310-311
Critical Reading
Have you opened a textbook or article and thought, “Where do I start?” Reading remains one of the most critical and most understudied of all the academic writing skills. Afterall, you will need to read effectively in order to write effectively. This workshop will help you read critically and maximize the time you devote to your texts and articles.
Monday, September 28th – 1-2pm, GSU 310-311
Friday, October 23rd – 12-1pm, CAS 220
Wednesday, November 18th – 6-7pm, GSU 320-321
Avoiding Plagiarism and Citing Correctly
For many, University courses are the first time that students encounter citations. How do we cite correctly? When do we cite? And how do we know which style is the best for our subject matter? How can we best avoid plagiarism? Based on the Boston University’s policies for plagiarism, this workshop will answer these questions – and more! – that you may have about proper citations and plagiarism.
Friday, October 2nd – 12-1pm, GSU 310-311
Wednesday, October 21st – 6-7pm, GSU 320-321
Monday, November 16th – 1-2pm, GSU 310-311