The WRC offers workshops on a variety of writing-related topics.  The following workshops are scheduled for this semester.  Each workshop will last approximately 2 hours, and most will be held twice - once during a lunch session and once during an evening session. 

As the date for each workshop approaches, we will e-mail information about rooms and registration, so be sure to check your JMLS account for updates.

Grammar Overview
Tuesday, September 7, 4:00 to 6:00, Room 531
Wednesday, September 8, 12:00 to 2:00, Room 1103

This review of grammar rules and parts of speech is filled with explanations and exercises. It will benefit any student who needs a brief "refresher course" before beginning to write.

Organizing Your First Memo: Understanding IRAC and Its Kin
Monday, September 13,  4:00 to 6:00, Room 216
Wednesday, September 15, 12:00 to 2:00, Room 409

This interactive workshop will help you understand how to organize legal memos and will get you prepared to write your FIRST MEMO. The workshop is designed for LS I students, but all are welcome to attend.

Moving from Objective to Persuasive Writing: The Art of Spinning Language
Tuesday, September 14, 4:00 to 6:00, Room 1200A
Wednesday, September 15, 12:00 to 2:00, Room 608

This workshop, geared for LS II students, will teach you the persuasion skills you'll need when writing demand letters, memos, and briefs.

3 Ps: Punctuation, Pronouns, and Parallelism
Tuesday, September 14, 4:00 to 6:00, Room 1202
Wednesday, September, 12:00 to 2:00, Room 1103

We'll focus on three of the most common errors found in law students' writing. The workshop includes several exercises that get you ready to write error free.

Writing Professional E-Mails
Monday, September 20, 4:00 to  6:00, Room 216
Wednesday, September 22, 12:00 to 2:00, Room 1103

Explore tips on e-mail professionalism, and learn how to avoid pitfalls that could lead to embarrassment - or worse!

Avoiding Plagiarism:  Workshop for International Students
Wednesday, September 22, 11:00 to 2:00, Room 608

This workshop is designed for international students, but all students are welcome. We will learn what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. The workshop offers plenty of practice opportunities

Beginning Citation: Learn to Cite (and Quote) Like a Pro
Monday, September 27, 4:00 to 6:00, Room 216
Wednesday, September 29, 12:00 to 2:00, Room TBD 

This workshop will help familiarize you with the many rules of citation. We encourage all first semester students to attend this hands-on workshop.

Scholarly Writing Workshop
Week of September 27, date, time & location TBD

This workshop will address the conventions of scholarly writing. Any student who is writing for a journal, a competition, or a paper course will benefit.

Using Transitions to Make Better Connections
Tuesday, October 5, 4:00 to 6:00, Room 531
Wednesday, October 6, 12:00 to 2:00, Room 608

Writing that lacks transitions is choppy, difficult to read, and potentially irritating to your reader. This workshop will teach you to use transitions to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your words. The workshop will benefit all students, whether your focus is objective, persuasive, or academic writing.

Avoiding Passive Voice and Other Word-Wasters
Tuesday, October 12, 4:00 to 6:00, Room 201
Wednesday, October 13, 12:00 to 2:00, Room 608

Make your reader's job easier; learn to cut unnecessary words from your memos and briefs.

While we have attempted to schedule the sessions when most students are available, if your class schedule prevents you from attending a particular workshop, you can arrange to pick up the workshop materials from the workshop advisor.

If you have a suggestion for a writing-related workshop that you would find useful, please share it with us.