Writing Seminars

Our seminar series address approaches to common writing assignments, discipline-specific writing, and issues of grammar and style. These free seminars are directed toward undergraduate students but are open to everyone in the Western community.

Fall 2026 seminars are open for registration, with the full seminar schedule available here.

Series 1 – Learning to Become a Scholar

From High School Writer to University Scholar - Sept. 21, 12:30 p.m.

Clarifies the specific expectations that your professors have for your work so that you will be better prepared for university-level writing.

University-Level Writing

Understanding & Planning Your Written Assignments - Sept. 22, 12:30 p.m.

Explains how to determine your professors' expectations for your work as well as how to use strategies like storyboarding to plan out your final product.

Planning Assignments

Referencing Your Paper -  Sept. 23, 12:30 p.m.

Using examples from APA and MLA, presents citation as a necessary means of avoiding accusations of plagiarism and as an approach to strengthening the credibility of the claims in your paper. 

Referencing Your Paper


Overcoming Writer's Block - Sept. 24, 12:30 p.m.

Focuses on the different stages of the writing process and provides a more organized approach to keep you on track.

Writer's Block



Series 2 – Writing Foundations: What Every Writer Needs to Know

Writing More Clearly - Oct. 5, 12:30 p.m.

What do your professors want? Clarity!

Writing Clearly

Concise Writing - Oct. 6, 12:30 p.m.

Demonstrates how to eliminate wordiness, condense information, and maintain meaningful content.

Concise Writing


Crafting an Argument - Oct. 7, 12:30 p.m.

Demystifies this critical element of academic writing and demonstrates how to communicate the purpose of your paper clearly and concisely. Every paper requires a clear identifiable argument.

Crafting Arguments

Editing and Proofreading - Oct. 8, 12:30 p.m.

Review what to check before you submit your written work.

Editing & Proofreading



Series 3 – Disciplinary Writing: Writing for Your Audience

Writing in the Social Sciences - Oct. 19, 12:30 p.m.

Addresses how to approach different types of writing assignments in the social sciences by breaking down complicated instructions.

Social Sciences

Writing in the Arts and Humanities - Oct. 20, 12:30 p.m.

Demonstrates the role of critical consumption in the writing process and explores the organizational elements of an arts and humanities paper.

Arts & Humanities

Writing in the Sciences - Oct. 21, 1:30 p.m.

Examines ways to write engaging scientific papers that audiences can comprehend. 

Science Writing

Writing in Nursing and Health Sciences - Oct. 22, 1:30 p.m.

Explores ways to communicate complex health information to a wide audience, so not only academics but also the public can learn about issues vital to them.

Nursing & Health Sciences



Series 4 – I've Never Written That Before: Exploring Different Genres

Annotated Bibliographies - Nov. 9, 12:30 p.m.

Explains the expectations and different steps involved in writing an annotated bibliography, including resources for citing.

Annotated Bibliographies

Writing Essay Exams - Nov. 10, 12:30 p.m.

This seminar focuses on how to prepare useful study notes to help you write a well-structured and analytical essay exam.

Essay Exams

Writing a Book Review - Nov. 11, 12:30 p.m.

Explains the purpose of a book review and how to evaluate the contributions of authors in terms of their credibility and the evidence they present.

Book Reviews

Executive Summaries - Nov. 12, 1:30 p.m.

The gateway to business communication.  No one will read your 80-page proposal if the exec summary is not persuasive.  Learn how to write a concise, yet evocative, summary that perfectly pitches your idea.

Executive Summaries


 

Series 5 – Professional Writing: Writing That Will Take You Places

Writing Resumes - Nov. 23, 1:30 p.m.

You know the importance of a well-written resume.  Join us and learn how to highlight your vast experiences in a limited space.

Writing Resumes

Personal Statements - Nov. 24, 1:30 p.m.

Examines common pitfalls and explains how to connect with your intended audience.

Personal Statements

Cover Letters - Nov. 25, 1:30 p.m.

After joining our previous seminar, you have written a fabulous resume, but don’t forget about the cover letter!  In this session, you will learn to write a cover letter that brilliantly complements your resume and that will get you noticed. 

Cover Letters

Letters Of Intent - Nov. 26, 12:30 p.m.

Invite applicants to detail the agendas, academic or otherwise, they plan to pursue should they be offered admission into a program. This seminar explains the key components of each type of letter of intent.

Letters of Intent



Series 6 – Effective Presentations

Slide Design - Nov. 30, 1:30 p.m.

Visual communication is a crucial-- yet often overlooked-- aspect of delivering a dynamic presentation. In this session, we will explore how to craft an engaging PowerPoint slide deck.

Slide Design

Organizing Your Presentation - Dec. 2, 1:30 p.m.

Have a high stakes presentation and want to organize your material for greatest impact? Join us for a session on how to create a presentation people want to hear.

Organizing Presentations


If you do not see a seminar or workshop that addresses your writing needs or questions, let us know. Suggest a seminar or workshop topic: wsc@uwo.ca