The writing center knows that, often, writing may take place in a peer setting as a communal undertaking, creating teachers and learners simultaneously out of all those involved. For this reason, you can schedule a regular meeting of a writing group—a small group of writers working closely with a writing center consultant—to read and respond to each others’ work, moving toward the common goal of peer education.
To join a writing group: Login or Register
Graduate student writing group
- Graduate writing groups are open to all MSU graduate students; each group has between 3 and 5 members;
- Students are placed into groups based on the type of discipline they’re in—humanities, social sciences, sciences;
- Students can approach the Writing Center with pre-formed groups or send individual requests using the form on the website and be place with others (based on the criteria above and available meeting times of potential groups members) as others express interest;
- Students in the groups are usually PhD students writing their dissertations, but sometimes other long-term projects are worked on, and sometimes masters students working on theses join the groups;
- Groups meet for 2 hours once a week and members are expected to spend 1 hour each week reviewing the materials to be discussed at the meeting; groups meet for at least one semester but often for a full year;
- Meetings are conducted in accordance with the needs and preferences of the group members; facilitators help by asking questions about writing and writing processes and bringing in new perspectives, as do writing group members; and,
- The primary purpose of the groups is to help individuals talk about writing with one another in mutually beneficial ways.
For more information about Graduate Writing Groups, please contact the coordinator, Marilee Brooks, at brook127@msu.edu. The best way to start the conversation is to fill out the form provided online by clicking on "Join a Writing Group" above or below.
Navigating the Ph.D (NTP)
- These two interactive writing workshops, given at least once a semester, are designed to help you develop an individualized plan for tackling your graduate dissertation.
- Each workshop meets from 9AM to 3PM on either a Friday or Saturday. The workshops are usually held at the Writing Center and are supported as part of the PREP workshops of the Graduate School.
- The first workshop is a broadly focused on the trajectory of PhD work, while the second workshop is more focused on writing the dissertation. Interested students can register for one or both workshops.
- In the first workshop, the following topics are addressed:
- Demystifying the dissertation
- Managing time
- Forming and working with committees
- Comprehensive Exams
- In the second workshop, participants will discuss:
- Developing dissertation topics and proposals
- Writing and revising
- Joining graduate writing groups.
- Preparing for the defense
For more information about the Navigating the PhD workshop, please contact the Graduate School at gradwrsp@msu.edu for information about scheduling and registration or facilitator Marilee Brooks at brook127@msu.edu about content.
Faculty writing group
- Not simply an editorial opportunity, faculty writing groups consist of a handful of faculty members and a consultant, offering you the possibility to network within your discipline, or even to forge cross-discipline relationships and connections.
Creative writing group
- Are you a writer of fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry? The writing center facilitates groups of creative writers who will offer each other peer review, much like you’d see in a creative writing workshop/class.