Finals Week at the Writing Center

The finals week schedule at the University Center for Writing-based Learning is up, and appointments are going fast! Please let your students know that tutors are still available to help them wrap up coursework, get help with Digication, or polish an AP or ILP. 

Students can click here to log in to the online reservation system, or click here for instructions on how to set up an account. Receptionists can be reached at wcenter@depaul.edu, 312-362-6726 (Loop), or 773-325-4272 (LPC) to answer students' questions or any you may have. You can also request a report from your student's tutor summarizing the session. 

The UCWbL's locations are listed below, but online appointments or requesting written feedback are options as well. These resources are perfect for online, commuter, or working students. 

Loop Campus

(312) 362-6726

25 E. Jackson (Lewis Center)

Suite 1600

Hours

Monday, June 9, 10am-5pm
Tuesday June 10, 10am-5pm
Wednesday, June 11, 10am-5pm

Lincoln Park Campus

(773) 325-4272

2320 N. Kenmore (Schmitt Academic Center)

SAC 212

Hours

Monday, June 9, 10am-5pm
Tuesday June 10, 10am-5pm
Wednesday, June 11, 10am-5pm

A Response to the Realities of Scholarly Writing

SNL Writing News recently featured an essay on the pitfalls of searching for a "scholarly writing utopia." In "Writing 20 Minutes Every. Single. Day." Ryan Cordell likewise abandons the search, but he takes the theme a step further by offering concrete suggestions for maintaining productivity once you've committed to this new way of thinking about writing. Cordell's first step was joining a faculty writing group (something offered by the UCWbL to DePaul instructors), and from that experience he identified several principles that have kept him on track, such as accountability, scheduling, limits, and momentum, all of which he expands on in his essay.

Suburban Campus Writing Groups: Update for Online Group

Writing Groups at the suburban campuses will begin this Saturday, January 18. Writing Groups are an opportunity for SNL students to give and receive feedback on their work. The groups are facilitated by a highly qualified UCWbL tutor, but the emphasis is on creating a collaborative learning environment rather than on individual tutoring sessions. Click here for more information on the Writing Groups. 

Update: An online Writing Group will also be offered this quarter. Detailed instructions are given below; you can also contact Edward Evins (eevans6@depaul.edu) for more information. 

Suburban Campus Writing Groups - Winter Quarter 2014

Naperville

Writing Group Facilitator: Marianne

Start date: 1-18-2014

Time: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Room: 119

Contact: mhohe@depaul.edu

Oak Forest

Writing Group Facilitator: Kevin

Start date: 1-18-2014

Time: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Room: TBD – Ask Receptionist

Contact: ksterne@depaul.edu

O'Hare

Writing Group Leader: Amanda

Start date: 1-18-2014

Time: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Room: 303

Contact: agaddam2@depaul.edu

Online Writing Group

Writing Group Facilitator: Edward Evans

Start date: 1-18-2014

When: Saturdays, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Location: Online - Google Hangouts

Contact: eevans6@depaul.edu 

ONLINE WRITING GROUP INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS

1. To join the group, contact the Writing Group facilitator, Edward Evans, ateevans6@depaul.edu Make sure to provide the facilitator with your name and email address.

2. Check your Inbox for an email from your facilitator. It will include an invite to join the videoconference session. 

3. Click on the URL (NOTE: this link will redirect you to Google+)

4. If you don't have a Google+ account, you will be asked to create one (NOTE: for time purposes, please skip all the additional steps while creating your account).

5. Once you're all set, a notification will pop up on your screen asking you to join the session created by your facilitator. Click "Join" and you'll be online with your facilitator and other participants. 

6. Once you're live, notice on the left side a list of things you can do during the videoconference. Screenshare will be particularly handy, as it will enable you to share with your facilitator your desktop and/or desired resources (websites, Word documents, etc.).

7. If you feel uncomfortable sharing your live picture, you can always disable your camera by clicking on the appropriate icon on the upper right bar. Please let your facilitator know about this prior to turning your camera off for the session.

Winter Quarter 2014 News & Reminders

Now that Chicago is recovering from the deep freeze and the quarter is underway, SNL Writing would like to pass on a few notes and reminders for Winter Quarter. 

UCWbL Relocating

The Lincoln Park UCWbL office is now located in the Schmitt Academic Center (SAC) at 2320 N. Kenmore, next to the Richardson Library. The online appointment scheduler will be available beginning January 10, and the center will open on January 13. The Loop office is still in 1600 Lewis (25 E. Jackson). Instructors can request an in-class "orientation" for their students by clicking here. 

Digication

Beginning this quarter all WTC and WW students are asked to create their course portfolios using Digication. Click here to view the UCWbL's comprehensive how-to guide for both instructors and students. Instructors can request additional support and resources from the Teaching Commons, FITS, and the UCWbL. 

SNL Writing Instructor Handbook

The Handbook for SNL Writing Instructors Digication site includes sample syllabi, rubrics, activities, and other instructional resources for instructors of both WW and WTC. 

Month of Writing Challenge Begins & UCWbL Workshop

Today is October 1, which means the start of the SNL Month of Writing Challenge! But it's not too late to join--click here for more information about our challenge to write 50,000 words during the month of October and work toward a collective goal of 1.5 million words. 

The SNL Writing Program has also partnered with the Office of Advancement to help the Month of Writing make a meaningful contribution to the SNL community. I'd like to draw your attention to our new Giving page. Your support will both motivate writers to work toward our collective goal, and, moreover, allow the Dean to award a scholarship to an SNL student thanks to the efforts of our Challenge writers and their friends, family, and colleagues. 

Finally, the UCWbL's Collaborative for Multilingual Writing and Research is hosting an upcoming workshop on academic writing that may be of interest to your students: "How Do I Cite This?: Incorporating Sources and Understanding Academic Integrity." The workshop will take place on Tuesday, October 8, from 3-4:30pm in the DePaul Center, room 8005. Email the CMWR to reserve a spot. 

Writing Center Summer Hours

The University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL) has announced its summer schedule. Please consider passing along this information to your students. 

Summer Session I & II (June 17 - August 23)

Lincoln Park Campus Writing Center
(773) 325-4272

Monday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 10 AM - 3 PM
Saturday: closed
Sunday: closed

802 W. Belden
250 McGaw Hall
Chicago, IL 60614

Loop Campus Writing Center
(312) 362-6726

Monday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 10 AM - 3 PM
Saturday: closed
Sunday: closed

25 E. Jackson

1600 Lewis Center

Chicago, IL 60604

CLICK HERE for instructions on how to register and make appointments. 

Upcoming UCWbL Workshops

The University Center for Writing-based Learning has a number of upcoming workshops that you might recommend to your students, including citation and Digication workshops as well as cover letter and resume workshops designed specifically for veterans. 

For more information, contact the Outreach Team at UCWbLOutreach@depaul.edu or visit the UCWbL's website.

Tuesday, May 7, 12-1pm. Loop, Library Instruction Room: 
Library Research Workshop (through Driehaus ACE):

Work with UCWbL tutors and research librarians to familiarize yourself with best practices on how to get started on a research paper. This workshop will focus on research from a business perspective.

Wednesday, May 8, 12:30-2pm. LPC, McGaw 203: 
Chicago Style Workshop:

Work with UCWbL tutors and learn the proper Chicago format for in-text citations and works cited pages. Also, get tips on how to avoid plagiarism. Bring in your current papers and projects!

Tuesday, May 14, 12-1:30pm. Loop, Lewis 1600: 
Cover Letter and Resume Workshop for Veterans:

Work with UCWbL tutors to learn strategies for creating cover letters and resumes specifically for veterans. Bring in your current cover letters and resumes!

Wednesday, May 22, 12-1:30pm. LPC, McGaw 203: 
Cover Letter and Resume Workshop for Veterans:

Work with UCWbL tutors to learn strategies for creating cover letters and resumes specifically for veterans. Bring in your current cover letters and resumes!

Tuesday, May 28, 3-4pm. LPC, McGaw 203: 
APA Workshop:

Work with UCWbL tutors and learn the proper APA format for in-text citations and works cited pages. Also, get tips on how to avoid plagiarism. Bring in your current papers and projects!

Wednesday, May 29, 12:30-2pm. LPC, McGaw 203: 
MLA Workshop:

Work with UCWbL tutors and learn the proper MLA format for in-text citations and reference list pages. Also, get tips on how to avoid plagiarism. Bring in your current papers and projects!

Tuesday, June 4, 12-1:30pm. Loop, Lewis 1600: 
Open Digication Workshop:

Work with UCWbL tutors and continue to develop your Digication ePortfolio! You’ll learn how to create your own banners, use CSS coding, and customize your portfolio. Students should bring their own laptops.

Wednesday, June 5, 12:30-2pm. LPC, McGaw 203: 
Open Digication Workshop:

Work with UCWbL tutors and continue to develop your Digication ePortfolio! You’ll learn how to create your own banners, use CSS coding, and customize your portfolio. Students should bring their own laptops.