Finals Week at the Writing Center

The finals week schedule at the University Center for Writing-based Learning is up, and appointments are going fast! If you're wrapping up coursework, polishing an AP or ILP, or putting the finishing touches on a Digication portfolio, make an appointment soon. Click here to log in to the online reservation system, or click here for instructions on how to set up an account. Receptionists can be reached at wcenter@depaul.edu, 312-362-6726 (Loop), or 773-325-4272 (LPC). Please note that the staff will be able to provide information, but they will ask you to create a WCOnline account in order to make appointments.  

The UCWbL's locations are listed below, but don't forget you can make online appointments or request written feedback as well. These options are perfect for online, commuter, or working students. 

Loop Campus

(312) 362-6726

25 E. Jackson (Lewis Center)

Suite 1600

Hours

Monday, June 9, 10am-5pm
Tuesday June 10, 10am-5pm
Wednesday, June 11, 10am-5pm

Lincoln Park Campus

(773) 325-4272

2320 N. Kenmore (Schmitt Academic Center)

SAC 212

Hours

Monday, June 9, 10am-5pm
Tuesday June 10, 10am-5pm
Wednesday, June 11, 10am-5pm

The New and Improved Style Manuals

Several years ago, the Modern Language Association issued a new edition of the MLA Handbook. The handbook, now in its seventh edition, was revised to better suit academic writing and research in a digital environment. But even though we now regularly write papers that rely entirely on online sources and incorporate a variety of electronic media, not everyone is aware of the changes. 

Here are just a few of the key updates in the seventh edition: 

• Citations for online sources do not need to include a URL. The rest of the citation provides enough information that the reader will be able to find the source through a search engine or database. Moreover, URLs are not necessarily stable; a link that worked at the time of writing may be dead before a reader sees it. 

• For in-text citations from online sources like Web sites, there's no need to use a paragraph or section number in place of a page number, unless the source itself is already numbered. 

• Now that we have an incredible variety of media at our disposal, making the medium of publication clear is important. Citations should indicate whether the source was Print, Web, Radio, Television, DVD, Film, PDF, etc.

• Computer keyboards have made it much easier to italicize than underline. Anything that used to be underlined, such as book titles, should now be italicized.

For a more complete list of the changes in the seventh edition, click here to download a PDF compiled by Bedford/St. Martin's. 

The APA Publication Manual was also recently revised and published in a sixth edition. Like MLA, APA style now better supports writers working with online sources. (Click here for a brief overview.) Students writing in education, business, psychology, and other social sciences are likely to find APA style more useful, as well as the format used in much of the source material they will encounter in their research.

MLA has always been the preferred style for scholarly writing in the humanities, but since it also provides highly detailed information about using and citing a wide variety of material, it's also appropriate for projects that may include both traditional and nontraditional sources (even Twitter).

Upcoming Incomplete Project Boot Camps

Do you have an incomplete grade? A final project that is dragging on? Finish your missing assignments, ILP, or AP through Writing Boot Camp and attend one or more free, faculty-led sessions. 

The program is designed for SNL students who currently have an incomplete grade on their transcript or students working on writing assignments. Sessions are set up to increase the likelihood students will complete necessary courses to obtain a bachelor’s degree and offer a supportive academic environment, writing assistance, and help with library services so that students can get assignments completed.

You are welcome to sign up for more than one session. 

Naperville

Saturday, May 31, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

150 W. Warrenville Rd., Bld. 200

Oak Forest

Saturday, May 31, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

16333 S. Kilbourn Ave.

Loop

Wednesday, June 4, 5:30-9:00 pm

Saturday, June 7, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

14 E. Jackson, Lab 1325

O’Hare

Saturday, June 7, 9:00am-1:00pm 

8770 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

To Register: Email snlsa@depaul.edu with your desired session(s).

Items to Bring to Session(s):  Please bring a flash drive, your copy of the incomplete contract if applicable, all prior assignment preparation, including research material, assignment instructions, and assignment writing format (APA/MLA). Please let your faculty mentor know you plan to attend if you are working on an assignment for an incomplete grade.

This Month's Incomplete Boot Camps

Do you have an incomplete grade? A final project that is dragging on? Finish your missing assignments, ILP, or AP through Writing Boot Camp and attend one or more free, faculty-led sessions. 

The program is designed for SNL students who currently have an incomplete grade on their transcript or students working on writing assignments. Sessions are set up to increase the likelihood students will complete necessary courses to obtain a bachelor’s degree and offer a supportive academic environment, writing assistance, and help with library services so that students can get assignments completed.

Refreshments will be served. 

Naperville

Saturday, March 8, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

150 W. Warrenville Rd., Bld. 200

Oak Forest

Saturday, March 8, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

16333 S. Kilbourn Ave.

Loop

Wednesday, March 12, 5:30-9:00 pm

Saturday, March 22, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

14 E. Jackson, Lab 1325

O’Hare

Saturday, March 15, 9:00am-1:00pm 

8770 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

To Register: Email your name, DePaul ID# and the incomplete course title(s) you wish to work on to snlsa@depaul.edu at least 3 days prior to your desired sessions (messages to this email are reviewed by DePaul / SNL college faculty and staff only). 

Items to Bring to Session(s):  Please bring a flash drive, your copy of the incomplete contract, all prior assignment preparation, including research material, assignment instructions, and assignment writing format (APA/MLA). Please let your faculty mentor know you plan to attend.

Interested in Teaching English in China?

Below is an announcement from the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Students interested in TESOL are invited to attend an information session on Thursday, February 6, at 5PM in SAC 301 (Schmitt Academic Center, Lincoln Park campus). More information can also be found here. 

Announcement

The Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse is proud to announce that we have established a direct relationship with the English Department at Huaqiao University in Xiamen, China.  This is part of a larger relationship that DePaul has been building with Huaqiao since 2012.  As a result of recent visits to Huaqiao University by WRD Chair Pete Vandenberg and the Coordinator of WRD’s Graduate TESOL Certificate, Jason Schneider, the two departments have established a direct pathway for DePaul students who complete the Graduate TESOL Certificate (http://tinyurl.com/wrdtesol) to teach Writing and ESL in China, starting in academic year 2014-2015.  Graduates of the TESOL Certificate will be preferred applicants for one-year teaching appointments in the Huaqiao English Department.

A full-time university teaching appointment is a valuable experience not always available domestically to recent graduates.  Teaching at Huaqiao can be a strong foundation for the U.S. college teaching market or doctoral study in a range of disciplines.   Furthermore, spending time working and living abroad can be an invaluable personal experience and is regarded as an asset by employers in many sectors.  Those hired to teach full-time at Huaqiao will receive free single-occupancy accommodations, paid insurance, a travel allowance, and other compensation in addition to their salary. 

The opportunity for this coming year is open to those who will have the TESOL Certificate in hand by summer 2014.  Current DePaul graduate and undergraduate students who may be interested in teaching at Huaqiao in this year or future years are invited to an informational session sponsored by Profs. Vandenberg and Schneider on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 5:00 in SAC 301.  They will talk about the Huaqiao University English Department, the details of the lecturer appointments and the application process, and the beautiful cities of Xiamen and Quanzhou.  They will also discuss options for DePaul students to complete the TESOL Certificate—a teaching credential recognized around the world—concurrently with their graduate work or after finishing an undergraduate degree.  For more information, see http://depaulwrd.wordpress.com/china/.  

Suburban Campus Writing Groups: Update for Online Group

Writing Groups at the suburban campuses will begin this Saturday, January 18. Writing Groups are an opportunity for SNL students to give and receive feedback on their work. The groups are facilitated by a highly qualified UCWbL tutor, but the emphasis is on creating a collaborative learning environment rather than on individual tutoring sessions. Click here for more information on the Writing Groups. 

Update: An online Writing Group will also be offered this quarter. Detailed instructions are given below; you can also contact Edward Evins (eevans6@depaul.edu) for more information. 

Suburban Campus Writing Groups - Winter Quarter 2014

Naperville

Writing Group Facilitator: Marianne

Start date: 1-18-2014

Time: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Room: 119

Contact: mhohe@depaul.edu

Oak Forest

Writing Group Facilitator: Kevin

Start date: 1-18-2014

Time: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Room: TBD – Ask Receptionist

Contact: ksterne@depaul.edu

O'Hare

Writing Group Leader: Amanda

Start date: 1-18-2014

Time: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Room: 303

Contact: agaddam2@depaul.edu

Online Writing Group

Writing Group Facilitator: Edward Evans

Start date: 1-18-2014

When: Saturdays, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Location: Online - Google Hangouts

Contact: eevans6@depaul.edu 

 
 

ONLINE WRITING GROUP INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS

1. To join the group, contact the Writing Group facilitator, Edward Evans, at eevans6@depaul.edu Make sure to provide the facilitator with your name and email address.

2. Check your Inbox for an email from your facilitator. It will include an invite to join the videoconference session. 

3. Click on the URL (NOTE: this link will redirect you to Google+)

4. If you don't have a Google+ account, you will be asked to create one (NOTE: for time purposes, please skip all the additional steps while creating your account).

5. Once you're all set, a notification will pop up on your screen asking you to join the session created by your facilitator. Click "Join" and you'll be online with your facilitator and other participants. 

6. Once you're live, notice on the left side a list of things you can do during the videoconference. Screenshare will be particularly handy, as it will enable you to share with your facilitator your desktop and/or desired resources (websites, Word documents, etc.).

7. If you feel uncomfortable sharing your live picture, you can always disable your camera by clicking on the appropriate icon on the upper right bar. Please let your facilitator know about this prior to turning your camera off for the session.

Winter Quarter 2014 News & Reminders

Now that Chicago is recovering from the deep freeze and the quarter is underway, SNL Writing would like to pass on a few notes and reminders for Winter Quarter. 

UCWbL Relocating

The Lincoln Park UCWbL office is now located in the Schmitt Academic Center (SAC) at 2320 N. Kenmore, next to the Richardson Library. The online appointment scheduler will be available beginning January 10, and the center will open on January 13. The Loop office is still in 1600 Lewis (25 E. Jackson).

Digication

Beginning this quarter all WTC and WW students are asked to create their course portfolios using Digication. Click here to view the UCWbL's comprehensive how-to guide. All UCWbL tutors are trained in Digication, and both center locations are equipped with computers if you'd like to make an appointment to work on your portfolio. 

Missing Assignments? Working on an ILP or AP?

Just in time for finals, Incomplete Project Boot Camps will be held at all campuses in the next few weeks. Boot camps are free, faculty- and tutor-led sessions during which students can work on assignments and other writing in progress. Refreshments are provided. To RSVP or for more information, email snlsa@depaul.edu.

Loop
November 16, 9AM-1PM
November 26, 5:30PM-9PM

O'Hare
November 16, 9AM-1PM

Naperville
November 23, 10AM-2PM

Oak Forest
November 23, 10AM-2PM

Month of Writing Challenge Begins & UCWbL Workshop

Today is October 1, which means the start of the SNL Month of Writing Challenge! But it's not too late to join--click here for more information about our challenge to write 50,000 words during the month of October and work toward a collective goal of 1.5 million words. 

The SNL Writing Program has also partnered with the Office of Advancement to help the Month of Writing make a meaningful contribution to the SNL community. I'd like to draw your attention to our new Giving page. Your support will both motivate writers to work toward our collective goal, and, moreover, allow the Dean to award a scholarship to an SNL student thanks to the efforts of our Challenge writers and their friends, family, and colleagues. 

Finally,  the UCWbL's Collaborative for Multilingual Writing and Research is hosting an upcoming workshop on academic writing: "How Do I Cite This?: Incorporating Sources and Understanding Academic Integrity." The workshop will take place on Tuesday, October 8, from 3-4:30pm in the DePaul Center, room 8005. Email the CMWR to reserve a spot. 

Writing Center Summer Hours

The University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL) has announced its summer schedule:

Summer Session I & II (June 17 - August 23)

Lincoln Park Campus Writing Center
(773) 325-4272

Monday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 10 AM - 3 PM
Saturday: closed
Sunday: closed

802 W. Belden
250 McGaw Hall
Chicago, IL 60614

Loop Campus Writing Center
(312) 362-6726

Monday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 10 AM - 3 PM
Saturday: closed
Sunday: closed

25 E. Jackson

1600 Lewis Center

Chicago, IL 60604

CLICK HERE for instructions on how to register and make appointments. 

Still Working During December Intercession???

Here are the hours of locations where you can keep working on campus …

The University Center for Writing-based Learning (the Writing Center) is closed during December Intercession, but there are still many places to go for help, support, and workspace as you continue writing:

1. DePaul Libraries - most of the libraries are open through December 22nd, though some have limited hours on weekends. See the library website for details: http://library.depaul.edu/About/hours.aspx (Tip: Working late in the Loop? Check out the Law Library in the Lewis Center. It is open late, and on weekends).

2. The Adult Student Center - on the 11th floor of the DePaul Center is another resource and “place to go” for adult students, with support staff and group workspaces.

3. DePaul's computer labs are still available - see locations and hours here https://www.is.depaul.edu/computers/labs/locations.asp#loop

4. Available 24/7 are the SNL Writing Guide for students online, and the Writing Center’s really comprehensive online resources for students working on papers.