Description

Finding the time and space to focus on writing is challenging with the fast pace of graduate study. Mark your calendar for Just Write! sessions to jump start your writing process and learn more about the research and writing resources available for graduate students.

The Graduate School and VCU Libraries host a series of Just Write! sessions for graduate students throughout the fall and spring semesters. These sessions, held once a month on alternating campuses, provide a quiet space to write with other students. During the day, enjoy a workshop while you enjoy lunch (provided for you), covering topics related to research and writing. 

For more information, contact Erin Brown (embbrown@vcu.edu) or Bettina Peacemaker (bjpeacemaker@vcu.edu)

Planning and organizing the dissertation lit review

Friday, Oct. 11, 2024
James Branch Cabell Library, Room 205
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Writing Retreat
noon: Optional session/Lunch

Register now.

• Writing the dissertation literature review often seems like an impossible riddle: If the dissertation is about a novel topic, how is the author supposed to read and review dozens of articles about it? This session talks about planning the Chapter Two literature review, with a particular focus on these dissertation topics where nothing in the literature seems to connect to the topic. The facilitators will then cover organizing the literature in Zotero with a special focus on sorting for Chapters One and Two.

Formatting tips beyond class papers

Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 
Health Sciences Library
Noon - 1 p.m.: Optional session/Lunch, 109 (Conference Room)
1 - 4 p.m.: Writing retreat 2-010 (Lecture Room)

Register now.

•  Are you working on a multi-chapter manuscript such as a dissertation, thesis, book or capstone?  Complicated formatting tasks arise when  creating a document with chapters, tables or figures, and dozens of citations. This session will go over the mechanics of research papers in Word: numbering pages, creating a table of contents, creating tables or figures, outputting citations from Zotero in-text and at the end, and editing the formatting of the references. 

Formatting dissertation text and references

Friday, Dec. 6, 2024
James Branch Cabell Library, Room 205
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Writing Retreat
noon: Optional session/Lunch

Register now.

•  A dissertation may be the biggest document most researchers have worked on, and it presents complicated formatting tasks when creating a document with chapters, tables or figures and several dozen citations. This session will go over the mechanics of dissertations in Word: numbering pages, creating a table of contents, creating tables or figures, outputting citations from Zotero in-text and at the end, and changing the formatting of the references.

For special accommodations, or to register offline, please contact Ryan Pander, event manager, rbpander@vcu.edu or 804-828-0593.