Faculty can request one of the workshops listed below by filling out our workshop request form.
Workshops are offered Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and are typically between 30 minutes and one hour in length, depending on how much class time is allotted. Presenters can work with the instructor to tailor the workshop to specific
assignments or lessons. Workshops can be offered in person or over Zoom, although in-person presentations may be limited according to tutor availability.
Please note that we may not be able to accommodate workshop requests received less than two weeks in advance. If you have any questions about in-class workshops, please contact Nicole Im.
Each workshop includes a brief overview of the ULC's services, then focuses on a topic of your choice.
ULC Overview
Here is a basic overview of what the ULC has to offer, what to expect during sessions, and how to schedule appointments with us.
Fundamentals of the Academic Essay
Writers at all levels of skill can benefit from this exploration of the essay, from pre-writing to conclusion. The role of writing as a process and of academic writing and its conventions and purpose forms the basis of the discussion.
How to Develop a Strong Thesis Statement
A solid thesis statement dictates the architecture of an essay. In this workshop, the presenter reviews the characteristics of a strong thesis as well as pitfalls to avoid. The presenter then discusses how creating a well-defined thesis statement helps
organize ideas and define perspectives while enhancing a paper's clarity.
Plagiarism and Citation
This workshop explains what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it. The session familiarizes students with the concept of crediting sources and discusses when and how to quote, paraphrase, or summarize sources. The techniques can be tailored to Chicago,
MLA, or APA style.
Oral Presentations
This workshop presents demonstrations and discussion of techniques for engaging an audience to help students develop their oral presentation skills and become comfortable and confident in front of a crowd. Tips for creating presentations are also included.
Software Overviews
These workshops provide a general overview of a selected program: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Unity, or Python.
Time Management: General or Design
This workshop provides practical strategies to help students better plan and budget their time, avoid procrastination, and feel more in control of their work. The workshop can also be tailored to creative projects, with tips for each step in the creative
process: mapping and planning, research, prototyping, and revision. Students also learn how to seek and incorporate feedback while staying on track.
Note Taking
Note-taking skills are a vital part of student success. This workshop discusses the value of notes, explores strategies for identifying and capturing important information during lectures and readings, and discusses how to use notes to synthesize learning
and prepare for assignments and/or exams.
Scientific Writing
This workshop breaks down the process of writing both literature reviews and research proposal papers. It offers best practices for citation and ethical authorship and a brief overview of the basics of APA style and format.
Classroom Communication
This workshop provides students with guidelines and strategies for making the most of class discussions and face time with their professors. We cover the importance of classroom engagement, strategies for keeping discussions moving, and email etiquette.
How to Talk About Your Work
This workshop helps students prepare for critiques and shows them how best to present their own work to others.
Statistical Literacy
Understanding what statistics represent and how they can be used persuasively serves students well in reading and writing at the university level. This workshop explains basic statistics for beginners and discusses how we can critically evaluate statistical
claims made in the media.
Reading for Research Papers
This workshop takes students through the process of collecting, reading, and synthesizing sources for research papers. Emphasis is placed on responding critically to sources, keeping notes on each source, and citing appropriately.
Reading for Understanding
This workshop gives students strategies for approaching dense or complex readings.