Writing, Research & Study Skills

Writing and research require iterative practice. As a graduate student, consider establishing a routine to write throughout the week (e.g. 15 min. every other day), seek constructive feedback from peers, faculty advisors and librarians--then revise and repeat. Over time, you’ll see that you’re making progress on your project.

Below are resources to help you on your journey. 

UW Graduate School 

The UW Graduate School is a unit dedicated to various forms of support for graduate students, including funding, development, the offering of interdisciplinary programs, and regular forms of communication and assessment. Whether you are a new or a continuing graduate student, you can find many resources within the UW Graduate School to help you traverse your academic journey. 

• UW Graduate School Core Programs. This sub-unit offers resources, workshops and events that can better prepare grad students for writing, research, and studying. The Core Programs Blogspot highlights several key resources including this piece on Cultivating Effective Writing Practices.
• The UW Office of Postdoc Affairs. This sub-unit is aimed at support for postdocs in any UW program. Like Core Programs, it also maintains a blog and features tips for writing productivity.
• Mentor Memos. The UW Graduate School offers a series of Mentor Memos authored by faculty and staff at the university. Topics range from creating a research agenda to the requirements for human and animal subjects for dissertations.

 

Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D) and GO-MAP

OMA&D Links to an external site. is a UW Seattle unit that works to increase diversity on campus and enrich collegiate experiences for all UW students. Its resources and services for UW students include:

• OMA&D Website with news and events of interest Links to an external site.
• Health Sciences Center Minority Students Program Links to an external site. (HSCMSP)
• Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center Links to an external site.

OMA&D also works with other important Seattle campus entities tied to student diversity and success, including the Graduate Opportunities and Minority Achievement Program (GO-MAP). GO-MAP resources for graduate students include:

• Recruitment & Retention Guide
• GO-MAP Socials and other events
• GO-MAP Graduate Student Advisory Board
• GO-MAP Newsletter (Email subscription)

 

Odegaard Writing & Research Center (OWRC)

The OWRC Links to an external site. is an office located in the Odegaard Undergraduate Library (UW Seattle) that provides writing & research tutors at all stages of research & writing, including graduate students. Key services include

• Writing Links to an external site. and research help appointments 
• Open writing circles Links to an external site. for graduate students working on their dissertations. 
• Tips Links to an external site. on writing from home and more Links to an external site..

Visit the OWC website for a full list of services and resources.

Research Commons (Allen Library)

The Research Commons on the Seattle campus offers individual and group study spaces, as well as a number of services for graduate students

• Writing Consultations for Graduate Students Links to an external site.: Get helping writing conference proposals, preparing articles for publication, or writing help with your thesis/dissertation
• Graduate Funding Information Service Links to an external site.: Learn about resources you can use to search for funding opportunities. 
• Design Help Desk Links to an external site.: Design figures and diagrams, visualize data, create posters and slides. 
• Citation Management Help Links to an external site.: Get help selecting and using a citation management tool.
• Digital Scholarship Project Help Links to an external site.: Learn about support options for your digital scholarship work. 

 

UW Bothell Writing & Communication Center (WaCC)

The WaCC Links to an external site. is a UW Bothell center that supports students of all abilities, at any stage of the reading, writing, or presentation process. Support options include:

• Scheduled consultations Links to an external site. (online in Zoom, or over the phone).
• Drop-in appointments in Zoom (see website Links to an external site. for hours and link)

Check out the center's full range of digital resources by visiting their website. Links to an external site. 

 

UW Tacoma Writing Center 

The UWT Writing Center is part of the Tacoma's Teaching and Learning Center, which provides writing support and resources for all stages of the process.

• Make an e-tutoring appointment Links to an external site. to sit down and talk with a consultant.
• Access online resources on citation, practice tests, and academic writing.

Visit the Writing Center website for more information and resources.

 

Other Useful Resources

• National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD). UW graduate students can activate a free membership to the NCFDD Links to an external site. to access free tips and strategies for increasing your writing and research productivity.
• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). The Purdue OWL site Links to an external site. is a favorite of researchers and librarians alike for its detailed yet easy-to-understand explanations of writing conventions Links to an external site., subject-specific Links to an external site. expectations, and popular citation Links to an external site. formats.
  • Tip: Purdue OWL also provides advice on writing for different global audiences, including North American colleges. Links to an external site.