WriteNight:  March 6th, 6-9pm in the Renne Library Commons—bring your current projects and write in a community setting with experts close by to answer all of your questions.

WriteNight:  April 4th, 6-9pm in the Renne Library Commons

Writing a Lit Review:  **Update!** April 2nd, 4-5pm in the Library Conference Room #1 (CR1).  Because of space, we will be capping the event at 16 students.  Please RSVP here: http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/rsvp/rsvp.html

Please join me and Professor Jan Zauha from the Library for an informative seminar on writing a review of literature.  You can visit the GS seminar page for more info:  http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/seminar.html

You can also visit the Grad School’s Facebook page and look under the events tab for more info. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Graduate-School-at-Montana-State-University/131256940230112?ref=ts&fref=ts

Individual tutoring:  all the time!

WriteNight was a great success last semester and I’m hopeful for an even bigger graduate student turn-out this time around.  I’ll be there to offer individual help and answer your questions along with reference librarians and Writing Center tutors.  It’s a one-stop-shop for writing needs.  PLUS you’ll get a voucher for FREE coffee from SRO to fuel your writing.

I’ll post more details about the Lit Review seminar as I get them squared away.

Have specific questions?  Want more info?  Email me at msu.grad.tutor@gmail.com.

I’ll be there for graduate students along with other tutors and reference librarians to help you along the way.  There will be stations set up for expert help during the writing process, so no matter where you are (researching, drafting, citation nightmares, don’t have a topic?) there will be a tutor or librarian there to help you.

Please join us!  The first 100 students will receive free coffee to fuel the writing process.  A change of venue can do wonders for your writing inspiration and motivation—especially writing in a big group with experts all around.  You don’t want to miss this event.

For more info about grad writing assistance or with general writing queries, please email msu.grad.tutor@gmail.com

I am hosting my semesterly Graduate Writing Seminar on Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 at 5:30pm in SUB 168. There, I will answer all of your writing questions and offer some writing tips and resources.  This event is a great way to meet me and learn about the services I offer.  You can email me at msu.grad.tutor@gmail.com for more information.  As always, refreshments will be served.

Best of luck on your writing projects this semester and I’ll be looking for your email.

1. Prioritize your work over your other activities and prioritize some writing projects over others.  What is it most important for you to complete this summer?  How would finishing that article, chapter, etc position you in the fall?  Would you be ahead of things (and therefore more relaxed and prepared for fall) or would you be in the same spot as if you hadn’t finished that project?  Different projects have greater or lesser significance in different fields so while a blog might be procrastination for one student, it might be fulfilling part of a thesis for another.

2. Set a tangible goal for yourself (e.g. write one article by August 1st, revise one chapter a month for three months, write the methods section by two weeks).  A tangible goal is much better than “write more” because it is concrete and measurable.  You will know, without a doubt, if you’ve met this goal, whereas “write more” is very subjective and easier to shirk.

3. Within your tangible goal should be action steps and smaller goals such as “write for 3 hours a week.”  Those three hours can be broken up into 10 minute increments if they must be, and as long as you make your time goal, you’ve completed your action step.  It’s also okay to ease into your big writing goals.  If three hours a week sounds far too difficult right now, start smaller.  The point is always to start writing and keep writing.

4. Start over with new resolve.  If you don’t reach your goal, give yourself an extension and keep at it.  Some writing is always better than no writing.  Don’t give up.

5. Seek out support such as peers, instructors, mentors, and the Grad Writing Tutor.  You can reach me all summer long at msu.grad.tutor@gmail.com.

6. Write.  Make time for writing, for hating writing, for struggle, for success.  You need space and time and the writing should happen.  If it doesn’t, refer to step 5 and shoot me an email.

Do you have ideas about the kind of writing seminars you’d like to see offered by the Graduate School?  Let me know!  Msu.grad.tutor@gmail.com.  I want to offer our students the best writing support possible and I need your input to do that.

Have a great semester!

Come by 414 Renne on Wednesdays from 9-11:30am for drop-in office hours. I will also try to be logged into gchat during this time for Q&A.  Remember, the tutor email is msu.grad.tutor@gmail.com.

As always, you can email me at msu.grad.tutor@gmail.com for more info on tutoring services or with writing questions.  I hope to hear from you!

You can email me at msu.grad.tutor@gmail.com with questions or for more information.  There is no need to RSVP, simply show up.

9/23  EndNote X5  1:10-2pm in the Heathcote Classroom.  EndNote software helps with formatting citations and bibliographies.  Learn to import records, add notes, find articles, manage PDFs, and format papers using any one of thousands of citation styles. This workshop is for those who already have a copy of EndNote for the desktop or who may be interested in purchasing one.

10/20 Google Secrets 3:10-4pm in the Heathcote Classroom.  Google continues to innovate and change their search services. Come explore their multiple databases: Web, Books, Scholar, News, and more. Discover search tricks and techniques to find additional information. Bring your Google questions.

10/27 Zotero 2:10-3pm in the Heathcote Classroom.  Zotero is a free, easy-to-use Firefox extension that enables you to collect, organize, retrieve and share your research sources. Zotero even lets you store web-page snapshots, PDF files, images, links and has a plug-in for Microsoft Office Word and OpenOffice Writer so you can add in-text citations and create a bibliography with over 1,200 styles to choose from, including the most popular APA, MLA and Chicago.

You can find more info about all Library workshops here: http://www.lib.montana.edu/instruction/workshops.php

I have a grad writing seminar planned for this semester, date TBA soon.  Do you have specific questions about writing?   If you have any input on the content of the seminar, please send me an email at msu.grad.tutor@gmail.com.

If you ever have writing questions, I’m always here to answer them either via email or in person.  I also have a new office in Renne 414, so stop by and see me if you have a minute.

To set up an appointment, you can email me at msu.grad.tutor@gmail.com.  International students also have the option of contacting Tiffany Ranalli, our English as a Foreign Language tutor, at bliisesl@yahoo.com.

Have a great semester!

Soon I’ll be moving into an office in the library, but until then we will likely meet around campus or even around town (at the Bozeman Public Library, for example) depending on what is most convenient.  I’ll post an update with my new phone and office numbers once they are permanent.  Until then, the best way to reach me is still via email at msu.grad.tutor@gmail.com.  The summer months tend to be my most flexible and open, so now is a great time to get your projects under way and start writing or planning.  Remember: we can meet to discuss organization, planning, brainstorming, or any other part of the writing process even before you start writing.  Feel free to email with general questions, too.

If you are an international or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) graduate student, there is now a TESL certified tutor available to assist you.  To contact the EFL tutor, simply email bliisesl@yahoo.com.  I am still available to assist all students, but now EFL students have another option.

I hope to hear from you soon!