Graduate Writing Support
Looking to sharpen your writing?
Do you ever find yourself staring at a blank page wishing you were anywhere else? Do you struggle to integrate advisors’ feedback? Do you feel overwhelmed when you sit down to write? Or isolated?
The Educational Resource Center offers writing support to address these challenges & more, open and free to all graduate students. With a variety of programs designed to meet graduate student needs, the ERC strives to support graduate students to navigate the particular demands of graduate writing, from conference papers to articles to theses to dissertations and to facilitate a sense of community among graduate writers.
Check out our programs below, including: Writing Assistance, Thursday Write-Togethers, Accountability Partners, and our Dissertation Writing Series.
Writing Assistance
Traditional Writing Assistance Appointments
Work with a Writing Fellow – a BU graduate student trained in best practices for writing – at any stage in the writing process, from brainstorming to final edits, and on any assignment, from literature reviews to dissertation chapters. Whether you’re on the final edits of an article, brainstorming your next chapter or feeling stuck responding to feedback, you are not alone! You can dive into these projects in 45-minute sessions over Zoom or in-person at 100 Bay State Road.
Schedule an Appointment Now
***if you are having issues viewing the home page to book an appointment, please email phdwrite@bu.edu.
Writing Strategy Appointments
Develop a sustainable approach to writing by meeting with an experienced Writing Fellow to discuss effective writing strategies specifically tailored to your writing goals. Together, in 45-minute sessions over Zoom or in-person at 100 Bay State Road, we can reassess what works best for you and offer personalized insights targeted to your strengths and needs.
Request an Appointment Now
Writing Drop-In Appointments
Bring specific writing questions to Writing Fellows stationed at the ERC between 4-5pm every weekday in 20-minute first-come, first-serve sessions. If you’re stuck on a paragraph, uncertain about a particular claim or need to develop a response to your advisor’s comments, our Writing Fellows can help you during these windows, no appointment needed.
Thursday Write-Togethers
Thursday Write-Togethers supply a space and time for ALL graduate students (not just PhDs) to focus on their writing in a quiet, supportive environment that offers a sense of accountability and community. Write-Togethers meet every Thursday in person in the ERC (Room 545) and via Zoom from 10AM to 1PM (please plan to stay for the whole time to minimize disruptions). No registration or application required – just come by!
Fall 2024 dates: September 19, 26; October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; November 7, 14, 21; December 5, 12, 19
Accountability Partners
In another offering designed to build community and structure during the graduate writing experience, Accountability Partners refers to a program in which graduate writers get matched with an interdisciplinary group of three to four peers for one-hour, weekly check-ins. During each meeting, participants report on their progress over the past week, reflect on challenges they faced and set clear, concrete goals for the coming week. Groups are also encouraged to maintain a shared daily writing log, and each group will be provided with a private Slack channel where members can share updates and resources throughout the week. Look out for opportunities to apply to participate at the beginning of each semester!
Dissertation Writing Series
These offerings are specifically designed to support dissertation writers as they navigate a significant milestone in their writing career. To participate, graduate students must have advanced to candidacy.
Dissertation Writing Groups
The Dissertation Writing Group offers structured writing time and a community of like-minded peers where dissertators can make significant progress on your prospectus, dissertation or other related writing projects. Convening every Monday from 10AM to 1PM in the ERC (Room 545), the DWG begins with a brief goal setting exercise followed by focused writing time. At the end of the three-hour session, participants share their progress, reflect on the writing process and set concrete goals for the coming week. The DWG is facilitated by a member of the ERC team who will introduce guided reflections and share effective strategies to build into your writing routine. Look out for opportunities to apply to participate at the beginning of each semester!
Plan to arrive a few minutes early to sign in and set up your workstation. As a courtesy to your fellow writers, you should also plan to stay for the duration of the three-hour session; late arrivals and early departures are disruptive.
Dissertation Writing Retreats
Our Dissertation Writing Retreats offer doctoral candidates significant, focused writing time in a community setting. Each retreat entails four days of dedicating writing time, featuring a high level of structure and accountability, as well as lunch and coffee/tea. Participants should expect to write for four hours each day. Writing Retreats typically take place in January, May and August – look out for opportunities to register!
Dissertation Writing Institutes
This four-day institute equips dissertation writers with essential strategies to succeed in the dissertation writing process and generates a writing community across disciplines. Each day, dissertators attend carefully curated skill building and professional development workshops on topics including planning, revising and responding to feedback. Afterward, each afternoon entails structured time to implement insights from the workshop and practice among peers. Lunch and coffee/tea are provided. Participants must have advanced to candidacy and be actively writing either their dissertation prospectus/proposal or the first chapter of their dissertation. Writing Institutes typically take place in the summer – look out for opportunities to register!
For Updates
Join our Slack Channel, where the ERC team provides updates on programming and posts resources.
For Questions
Email phdwrite@bu.edu