Graduate Writing Services

Writing Services Overview

Research editors at the Graduate Research Center focus on helping graduate students grow as academic writers and scholars across disciplines. We support students at any stage in the writing process. We provide feedback on a range of work including research papers, literature reviews, dissertation chapters, grant proposals, and presentations. The services that we provide include:

Constructive criticism for drafts as well as final products

Help with developing revision plans

Considerations for refining the writing process

Support with overcoming barriers to productivity

Support for research design, data collection plans, and literature reviews

Guidance when developing and revising manuscripts for peer reviewed journals

Guidance when developing application materials (e.g. grants and fellowships)

Writing consultations are driven by student goals. We often discuss the following with writers during consultations:

Writer's block

Structural organization

Academic writing conventions

Clarity

Research design

Data base searching and systematic literature reviews

Cohesion and coherence of argumentation

Embedding voice and authority in academic writing

Strategies for successful communication with committees, advisors, and chairs

Understanding the dissertation or thesis process
Synthesizing, leveraging, and responding to feedback

We offer 3 different types of consultation sessions as well as writing support groups.

Consultations

We offer three different types of consultation sessions as well as writing support groups.

Brainstorming Consultations

Students talk through approaches they are considering regarding starting an assignment, drafting sections of longer manuscripts, or even working through structural issues in a current draft. The consultation focuses on using dialogue to explore ideas, ask questions, and gain clarity. Brainstorming consultations are at least scheduled 24 hours in advance and require an assignment sheet or a short project description.

Read Ahead Consultations

Students will identify a specific challenge that they are facing in a current draft. An editor will read student work before the consultation. The consultation centers on using dialogue to provide constructive feedback, potential strategies, and resources for overcoming the challenge. Consultations are scheduled at least 48 hours in advance. Requirements for making the appointment include an assignment sheet or a short project description in addition to 5-8 double-spaced manuscript pages or slides.

Final Dissertation Review

These sessions are for doctoral candidates who have defended their dissertations or will do so during the current semester. Please make your appointment and attach all needed files at least 48 hours in advance.

Doctoral candidates will need to make a separate Final Dissertation Review appointment through the WC Online system for the each of the following:

Front Matter & Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
References & Appendices

For each chapter, submit the individual portion as 1 file and the whole dissertation as another file.

In total, the doctoral candidate will need to make 6 appointments. An editor will read their chapter/section ahead of the consultation and review suggested changes in a quick 30 minute debrief. This type of session supports doctoral candidates with general copy editing for their finalized dissertation. Editors will give feedback regarding formatting (headings, font, captions, etc.), citations, basic grammar, and language level clarity.

Writing Support Communities

Virtual Dissertation Support Group

This noncommittal group provides a supportive space for manuscript revision and dedicated writing time. Sessions also feature brief workshops focused on enhancing the writing process, trying new revision strategies, using feedback effectively, maximizing writing time, and more. Workshops also provide guidance regarding navigating typical obstacles, clarifying complex topics, and addressing misunderstandings commonly encountered by dissertating students.

Virtual Thesis Support Group

Dissertation Workshops

The dissertation workshop series guides doctoral students through writing and refining key sections of the dissertation. Workshops focus on writing a clear problem statement, crafting a comprehensive literature review, describing research methodologies, presenting findings; and highlighting significance.

Individualized Group Sessions

These sessions are intended for students who have established informal support networks, whether through messaging platforms or consistent group meetings. Interested groups may contact grc@bowiestate.edu to request a customized session addressing their specific needs, inquiries, uncertainties, or challenges related to research and academic writing. We will coordinate with your group to arrange a suitable time to meet with Dr. McElroy for a workshop dedicated to your chosen topic.

Dissertation Writing Retreat

This highly selective program is designed to provide doctoral students with dedicated time, mentorship, and structured support for focused dissertation writing. The retreat is an off-campus weekend event that takes place in the early winter.

Master's Writing Retreats

The Master’s Thesis Writing Retreat is a one-day immersive experience for graduate students developing a thesis proposal or completing their thesis. This focused, supportive retreat combines tailored presentations on each thesis chapter, one-on-one consultations, and protected writing time to help participants gain clarity, strengthen scholarly writing, and make meaningful progress in a quiet, reflective environment.

Drop Everything and Write

These pop-up sessions offer a valuable opportunity for sustained writing. The sessions focus on setting aside competing demands and dedicating time to advancing scholarly work. Structured writing sessions provide a shared community for maintaining momentum on long-term projects and making meaningful progress. Session features include extended, uninterrupted writing time; light facilitation to support focus and goal setting; and a shared space of accountability with a community of writers.

Faculty Services

Writing and Research Support for Classes, Programs, or Cohorts

Writing Services partners with faculty to support student success, strengthen writing instruction, and foster a culture of inquiry across disciplines. We collaborate with instructors to design meaningful writing and research experiences, providing classroom workshops, assignment-specific support, and individualized consultations that align with course learning outcomes.

Writing Services can work with faculty and their students on a wide range of research and writing topics including conducting bibliographic searches, leveraging research tools (e.g., Qualtrics and Zotero), navigating library databases, and adhering to publication guidelines (e.g., APA or MLA). We also partner with faculty to facilitate discussions about the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence in academic work. In addition, we provide instructional support related to qualitative and mixed methods research, qualitative coding and interpretation, and strategies for making meaning from complex data.

To further support faculty and academic programs, Writing Services offers tailored writing and research retreats designed for departments, cohorts, and graduate programs. These retreats provide dedicated time and structured support for faculty and graduate students to focus on projects such as dissertations, theses, manuscripts, grant proposals, literature reviews, and other scholarly writing. Retreats can be customized to meet program-specific goals and may include writing consultations, research support, productivity strategies, peer feedback opportunities, and workshops.

Faculty Writing Support

Writing support for faculty includes one-on-one consultations to discuss project goals, structure, and direction; in-line feedback on drafts to strengthen clarity, organization, and throughline; brainstorming sessions for new ideas, proposals, or research designs; and final reviews to help prepare manuscripts for submission.