Reading and writing focused workshops for CSUN students offer opportunities to refine skills for any stage of the writing process, from close reading texts to proofreading final drafts.
Click below to read about / sign up for our reading and writing workshops!
Mastering the Text: Close Reading and Annotation
Reading in college is a challenging activity, but you don’t have to navigate these treacherous texts alone. Come to the Close Reading and Annotation workshop where you will gain skills to help you:
Day/Time: Thursday September 6th, 3:30-4:30pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Sean This workshop is completed
Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting: How to Integrate Seamlessly
Everyone knows that they need to use evidence from source materials in academic writing, but knowing when and how to use them will add credibility and complexity to your writing. Come to this workshop on summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting where you will learn:
Day/Time: Friday September 7th, 2:00-3:00pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Melissa F. This workshop is completed
Outlining and Prewriting: Strategies for Organization
We have all felt it before: the panic, the paralysis, the mental block that always seems to arrive after the writing is assigned. Where to start? How to turn scattered thoughts into organized gold? What can help every writer turn away from procrastination and towards productivity?
No matter what type of assignment you are working on, pre-writing and outlining are helpful tools in the writing process. Come to the outlining and pre-writing workshop where you will learn tips and tricks to help you
Day/Time: Thursday September 13th, 3:30-4:30pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Sean This workshop is completed.
Paragraph like a pro!
Everyone has heard some rules about paragraphing, but likely everyone has also seen professional writers break those rules. In the powerful paragraphs workshop, our goal is to help you understand the rules of unification and coherence so that you can learn to craft well-developed, cohesive paragraphs that readers can follow with ease no matter your writing situation. We will discuss:
Join us!
Date and Time: Wednesday, September 26th, 2:30pm
Location: LRC Classroom, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: This workshop has concluded; check back next semester!
The Essay Refresher
Has it been a while since you had to complete a formal writing assignment? Do you need a refresher on the basics of college-level essay crafting? Come join us at the Essay Refresh where you will learn about:
Date and Time: Thursday, September 27th, 2:00pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: This workshop has concluded; check back next semester!
Crafting a Standout Personal Statement
Applying to graduate school but not sure how to approach the personal statement? Need some help "promoting yourself"? Wondering what is the difference between personal statement, statement of purpose, and goal statement?
Come find answers to all of these questions and more at the Personal Statement Workshop! We will discuss the form, content, and style of one of the most important documents you will ever write.
Writing the Literature Review
Assigned a literature review and not sure where to begin? Come to this workshop, which will teach you:
¨ What the purpose of a literature review actually is
¨ How to create a focus for your lit review
¨ How to smoothly integrate sources into your writing
¨ Correct formatting
Day/Time: Tuesday October 2nd at 2:00pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Loretta Click here to sign up for the Literature Review Workshop.
The Annotated Bibliography
Getting started on some research? Need to write an annotated bibliography, but aren't sure how?
Come learn why you've been asked to write an annotated bibliography and what information it should include.
Day/Time: Tuesday October 2nd at 3:30pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Melisa M Click here to sign up for the Annotated Bibliography Workshop.
Working with Sources
Academic assignments often call for you to locate, assess, and implement a variety of quality sources from multiple locations and mediums. Using sources effectively is hard work, but luckily the LRC has some tips and tricks to help you along the way. Come to the Working with Sources workshop where we will help you to:
Date and Time: Thursday, October 4th at 3:00pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Sean P. Click here to sign up for Using Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism Workshop
Visual Thinking Strategies
Visual thinking is a vital skill for generating and developing new ideas and projects. It can help you to organize your thoughts and improve your ability to think and communicate. It can also function as an effective tool for conveying complex information.
At the Visual Thinking workshop, we will provide tools and techniques to help you use visual rhetoric in order to better:
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 16th at 2:00pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Sean P. Check back next semester.
Good Writing that Works and Flows
"Wow! That's good writing!" "That sentence is really working!" "This essay really flows!" These are all things writers want to hear about their work.
We invite you to join us at this dynamic workshop where you will learn techniques and methods for creating effective, fluid, concise writing.
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 23rd: 3:30pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Sean P. Completed - check back next semester!
Avoiding the 5 Most Frequent Grammar Errors
Are you struggling with run-ons and fragments? Confused about punctuation? In our “Avoiding the Five Most Frequent Errors” workshop, you will learn:
• How to correct run-ons
• When to use commas and apostrophes
• How to identify incomplete sentences
• How to avoid commonly misused words
• How to find and fix errors on your own
Date and Time: Thursday, October 25th: 3:30 to 4:30pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Anne C. This workshop is completed. Check back next semester.
MLA Formatting
You've worked hard on your paper. Make sure your research is carefully presented in the correct format.
This workshop will help you follow MLA format in your parenthetical citations, your list of works cited, and the incorporation of evidence into your discussion.
Date and Time: Tuesday, November 13th at 4:00pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Loretta This workshop is completed. Check back next semester.
Grammar Errors for non-native English speakers
Are you having trouble with grammar when you write in English? Could you use some strategies for locating the grammar mistakes in your essays and assignments? Come get help with:
APA Formatting Workshop
Many students learn MLA format in their composition classes. Then they need to adjust to APA style in their majors or GE courses. If you have questions about APA format--the running heads, the references, the parenthetical citations, and the general writing style--this workshop is for you.
* Basic formatting for documents and references
* How to cite correctly within your text
* How to integrate sources into your writing
Date and Time: Tuesday November 13th at 3:00pm
Location: LRC, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Anne C This workshop is completed. Check back next semester.
Strategies for Proofreading and Revision
Are typos, misspellings, grammar, and punctuation errors stopping your work from looking polished and professional?
Do you want to learn how to re-enter your work with "fresh eyes" in order to find ways to improve it?
This one-hour workshop will provide you with techniques for editing and revising your writing before you hand in your assignment.
Date and Time: Monday November 26th at 2:00pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Melissa F. This workshop is completed - check back next semester!
Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay
One thing that practically every college student could use is more money to put towards their educational expenses, yet many scholarships every year go unclaimed. Stop letting procrastination and intimidation get in the way! Go for that scholarship! Come let us help you get started. We will discuss:
Date and Time: Thursday November 15th at 2:00pm
Location: LRC, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Gina S. This workshop is now complete. Check back next semester.
Creating a Powerful Résumé
Applying for a job? Competing for an internship? Working on an admissions packet for grad school and need to spruce up your work history? Come to the LRC and learn how to put your best foot forward, on the page, in our résumé /cv workshop
This workshop provides detailed explanations, as well step-by-step processes, for creating an effective and attention grabbing résumé /cv.
Date and Time: Wednesday, December 5th: 4:30-5:30pm
Location: LRC Classroom, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Eric D. Please check back next semester.
Cover Letters that Wow
Is your cover letter competitive enough to get you that highly selective internship or full-time job?
Come to our cover letter workshop and learn how to craft a cover letter that speaks for you. Learn how to:
Date and Time: Tuesday, December 4th: 4:30 to 5:30pm
Location: LRC, 3rd Floor, Oviatt Library
Presenter: Melisa M. This workshop is completed. Check back next semester.
