Social Science Writing Project

  • Welcome to the Social Science Writing Project

Student Workshops

Tuesdays and Fridays from 12:30-2:00PM in Sierra Hall 181

This workshop series begins February 19, 2019.

Communication services (sign language interpreters, note takers, real-time captionists, or assistive listening devices) are available for this event. Requests for services must be submitted at least five (5) working days in advance. Please contact The Social Science Writing Project at (818) 677-5450 or .

Spring 2019 Student Workshops

Academic Arguments: How to Pick and Win a Good Fight

Tuesday, February 19
Friday, Feb 22
Instructor: Holli Tonyan

Academic Arguments: How to Pick and Win a Good Fight

This workshop proposes that in order to make an effective argument, social scientists must refute any evidence that might support a counter-argument. Dr. Tonyan will organize this workshop around a metaphor: Why take ten "punches" if it only takes three to "knock out" an "opponent," or a counter-argument? Students will learn to organize their "punches," or evidence, in the way that is most effective in supporting their own arguments by besting potential counter-arguments.

Facing the Blank Page: Strategies for Getting Started

Tuesday, March 5
Friday, March 8
Instructors: Ashley Frazier and Dat Tran

Facing the Blank Page: Strategies for Getting Started

In this workshop students will learn multiple strategies to start their essays. This workshop will feature numerous approaches to writing prompt-based and individual-research based essays. Participants will engage in discussion and activities aimed at dissecting the prompt, sketching an outline, and collecting quotes.

Writing Times and Places

Tuesday, March 12
Friday, March15
Instructor: Mark Otten

Writing Times and Places

Should I go the living room, the library, or... the beach? This workshop will be a practical discussion of when and where one might find it best to write. For example, we have more stuff than ever to distract us from being productive: phones, iPads and laptops with notifications going off constantly, etc. A collection of options will be presented for students to consider (e.g., hiding your phone for an hour, playing music - or not, writing with a buddy, finding the right time of day/night to write).

The Language of Liberation: How to Write in a Culturally Centered Way

Tuesday, April 2
Friday, April 5
Instructor: Aimee Glocke

The Language of Liberation: How to Write in a Culturally Centered Way

Students are often hesitant to take Ethnic Studies courses, or to even choose paper topics that discuss different cultural groups because of their lack of personal exposure to these cultures and/or because they do not want to offend anyone in their writing. Therefore, this writing workshop will teach participants how to write in a culturally centered way, no matter what topic they choose to write about, by providing information on how to honor people’s culture, gender, religion, sexuality, class, etc. in every written assignment in the future.

Writing Tips and Tricks

Tuesday, April 9
Friday, April 12
Instructor: Miriam Neirick

Writing Tips and Tricks

In this workshop we will share common writing challenges that we’ve experienced along with tips, tricks, and strategies that have helped us to overcome them.