In addition to our tutoring services, workshop offerings, and online resources, the SJSU Writing Center also offers a variety of special events and programs every semester. Check this page for details, including any necessary registration information. 
 

Current Events/Programs

Additional events and programs will continue to be announced throughout the 2020-2021 academic year! 

Letter to Your Past Self Contest

The Writing Center is proud to partner with SJSU Special Collections and Archives to sponsor a chance to reflect on this past year, which has brought about many challenges, changes, and opportunities. We want to hear about your personal experience in 2020.

Anyone who enters this contest will have the (optional) chance to have their letter preserved in the University Archive and become a part of the public-facing collection of the university. The top three submissions will also be exhibited in the Pandemic Pandemonium showcase (in spring 2021), which explores our university community’s pandemic experiences (sponsored by the College of Humanities & the Arts).

Contest Guidelines:
You must be an SJSU student to enter. Choose one of the prompts below and write a letter to your past self that is 200-500 words in length. Address your letter either as “Dear [first name],” or "Dear Past Self,”. Upload your letter as a PDF.

- Prompt A: What would you tell yourself back in January to better prepare for this year?
- Prompt B: What is something positive you are grateful for that has come out of this year?
- Prompt C: How have you had to adapt a yearly ritual or event, like a holiday or birthday, during this year?

Submit Your Letter: tinyurl.com/pastselfletter 

Deadline: Midnight on Wednesday, November 25

 

 

Graduate Writing Group

This is a month-long Graduate Writing Group for 24 graduate students who are working on their long-term writing projects, such as theses, research projects, literature reviews, or creative works. This group is hosted by the SJSU Writing Center. We will meet on Zoom. The Writing Group’s main purpose is to provide community and accountability for writers through creating a project plan and forming writing pods.

Participants from different programs will be sorted into co-working pods. Pods will have four members. These writing pods will help create accountability by having participants share their goals and progress with their pod members. Pods will have weekly status check-ins: synchronously during our meeting weeks and asynchronously by email on the off weeks.

We will meet on Zoom three alternating Fridays: October 2nd, 16th, and 30th. (The link to the full schedule is provided below.) In the morning of October 2nd, we will have orientation, pod formation, and review of productive strategies followed by afternoon synchronous co-working time. The 16th and 30th will both have optional workshops in the mornings and scheduled synchronous co-working time in the afternoons. During the month, we have a total of nine work hours scheduled. During all co-working times, writers will independently work on their own projects but will share goals and progress with their pods at the start and finish.  

Synchronous Group Dates: October 2nd, 16th, and 30th (Fridays)
Full Schedule  
Optional Workshop Descriptions
Application Closing Date: Wednesday, September 16th, 12:00 PM PST
---

Application Process:

There are 24 spaces available; successful participants will be selected based upon the quality of their application and availability. Applications will be reviewed by the Writing Center soon after the closing date, with outcomes sent via email. For all inquiries, email writingcenter@sjsu.edu. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Be a current SJSU graduate student 
• Be working on at least one large-scale writing or research project

Who is this Graduate Writing Group best for?

The Graduate Writing Group is best suited to students who are working on large-scale writing and research projects or working on a section of a larger project, so they will have enough material to work on for the whole month. This group is for students who want to join a writing community; create shared accountability; gain dedicated, independent work time; and learn writing strategies and time management skills.

Who is this Graduate Writing Group NOT best for?

Students are not well suited for this group if they are working on smaller-scale projects/essays or looking for extensive grammar and one-on-one feedback. For these students, we recommend that they make individual tutoring appointments with the Writing Center (www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter). All students can make two 45-minute online appointments every week, availability permitting. Graduate students can request an additional third session each week if more assistance is needed by emailing writingcenter@sjsu.edu. We recommend scheduling six to seven days in advance. 

Apply Now! 
Application Closing Date: Wednesday, September 16th, 12:00 PM PST
Full Schedule 

 

Practically Speaking Seminar  

Practically Speaking is a limited seven-week group experience for 14 graduate students to enhance their impromptu public speaking skills and develop lifelong communication tools for their professional and academic life.

Impromptu speaking is speaking with no preparation for a short time (about 1- to 3-minutes). Impromptu speaking is different from giving prepared speeches, where you write and practice a speech before giving it. Please note we will not be giving or writing any prepared (or long) speeches. This group will work on developing the skills needed to speak spontaneously in an organized and compelling way. We will practice speech structure, audience awareness, vocal variety, and body language.

When is Practically Speaking?
Days: Weekly every Monday from September 28th to November 9th 
Time: 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM 
Platform: Zoom
---

Application Process:

There are 14 spaces available for the fall 2020 seminar; successful participants will be selected based upon the quality of their application and availability. Applications will be reviewed by the Writing Center soon after the closing date, with outcomes sent via email. For all inquiries, email writingcenter@sjsu.edu. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Be a current SJSU graduate student
• Have not attended the Practically Speaking Seminar in previous semesters  
  
  

Apply Now! 
Application Closing Date: Wednesday, September 16th, 12:00 PM PST

 

ISSS Writing Workshop Series

The Writing Center is pleased to partner with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) on a series of writing workshops for international students. Other members of the SJSU community are welcome to join too! Sign up for the Zoom workshops at https://www.sjsu.edu/isss/events/workshop/index.html. 

Emailing Netiquette

All emails are not created equal. An email to a job interviewer or faculty member should be written in a different style and tone than one to a friend. How can you be polite over email? You want to get it right the first time! This workshop will teach you about professional and academic emails and appropriate "net etiquette." 

Online via Zoom (Registration Required)

• Sept. 3, 2020 (TH), 7:30-8:30 PM (PST) in California
• Sept. 4, 2020 (F), 9:00-10:00 AM (IST) in India
• Sept. 4, 2020 (F), 11:30AM-12:30PM (CST) in China 
  
  

PowerPoint Like a Pro

Slides and data visualizations can make or break your presentation. This workshop is meant to teach design principles and introduce online tools for non-designers. Before and after examples will be used to showcase how to use color schemes and white space, to contrast elements, and to communicate main ideas effectively. During the workshop, you will practice redesigning slides and leave with a list of tools you can start using today in your own presentations. 

Online via Zoom (Registration Required)

• Oct. 1, 2020 (TH), 7:30-8:30 PM (PST) in California
• Oct. 2, 2020 (F), 9:00-10:00 AM (IST) in India
• Oct. 2, 2020 (F), 11:30AM-12:30PM (CST) in China  

Going from Paper to Presentation

You’ve finished your research paper: great! Now you’ve got to present your paper in class: less great… How you present information is not the same way you should write it in terms of pacing, organization, and hooks for the audience. Presenting doesn't need to be stressful: This workshop will walk you through the process of making an effective presentation based off a paper you've written. You will learn how to create both a 5-minute presentation and a 15-minute presentation.

Online via Zoom (Registration Required)

• Oct. 29, 2020 (TH), 7:30-8:30 PM (PST) California
• Oct. 30, 2020 (F), 9:00-10:00 AM (IST) in India
• Oct. 30, 2020 (F), 11:30AM-12:30PM (CST) in China

 

 

2019-2020 Events/Programs

The events listed below already took place. We will be offering some of them again in the future, so please check this page and our social media accounts for updated information. 

 

Spring 2020 Practically Speaking Seminar  

Practically Speaking is a limited seven-week group experience for selected SJSU graduate students to enhance their impromptu public speaking skills and develop lifelong communication tools for their professional and academic life.

Impromptu speaking is speaking with no preparation for a short time about 1- to 3-minutes. Impromptu speaking is different from giving prepared speeches, where you write and practice a speech before giving it. Please note we will not be giving or writing any prepared (or long) speeches. This group will work on developing the skills needed to speak spontaneously in an organized and compelling way. We will practice speech structure, audience awareness, vocal variety, and body language.
_________  

There are 14 spaces available for the spring 2020 seminar; successful participants will be selected based upon the quality of their application and availability.

February 25, 2020 to April 14, 2020 (spring break off)
Every Tuesday from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Applications will be reviewed by the Writing Center soon after the closing date, with outcomes sent via email. For all inquiries email writingcenter@sjsu.edu.
_________

Eligibility Requirements: 

1) Be a current SJSU Graduate Student
2) Have not attended the Practically Speaking Seminar in previous semesters  

_________

Apply Now: tinyurl.com/sjsups20
Application Closing Date: February 9, 2020 at 9:00PM

 

Spring 2020 Graduate  Writing Retreat

A free three-day weekend retreat for 20 graduate students who are within three semesters of graduation and are working on their long-term writing projects, such as theses, research, and literature reviews. Participants will do a prep meeting, write individually, do collaborative discussions, and learn writing strategies. Food and drinks will be provided.

The retreat consists of three days. On Friday, participants will learn strategies, do discussion, and build community. Over Saturday (a full day) and Sunday (a half-day), participants will have over nine hours of independent work time. Students should apply if their projects would benefit from the whole nine hours of independent work time.
_________

There are 20 spaces available for spring 2020; successful participants will be selected based upon the quality of their application and availability. The retreat will be held on the SJSU campus.

Friday, March 6th, 9:00 - 2:00
Saturday, March 7th, 8:30 - 5:00
Sunday, March 8th, 9:00 - 1:00

Applications will be reviewed by the Writing Center soon after the closing date, with outcomes sent via email. For all inquiries email writingcenter@sjsu.edu.

This retreat will be held every semester on other days and times. If this semester does not work, please check back in future semesters.
_________

Eligibility Requirements: 

1) Be a current SJSU Graduate Student within three semesters of graduation
2) Have not attended this Graduate Writing Retreat in previous semesters
3) Be working on a large-scale writing project
_________

Who is this retreat best for?

The retreat is best suited to graduate students who are working on large-scale writing and research projects (e.g., 12+ pages) or working on a section of a larger project (e.g., a literature review). These projects often include (but are not limited to) master's theses, literature reviews, research projects, master's projects, novels, and dissertations. This retreat is for students who want to work independently in a quiet space, to join a community of other writers, and to learn writing strategies and time management skills.

Who is this retreat not best for?

Students are not well suited for this event if they are working on smaller-scale projects/essays or looking for extensive grammar and one-on-one feedback. For these students, we recommend that they make individual appointments with the Writing Center (www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter). Students can make two in-person appointments and two online appointments every week, availability permitting.

Remember that graduate students can request one-hour appointments. You request a one-hour appointment by first booking a 30-minute appointment yourself and then calling or talking to our front desk staff to extend it into an adjacent free slot.

_________

Apply Now: tinyurl.com/sjsuwr20
Application Closing Date: February 9, 2020 at 9:00PM

 

ISSS Writing Workshop Series 

The Writing Center is pleased to partner with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) on a series of writing workshops for international students. Other members of the SJSU community are welcome to join too!

• Emailing Netiquette: Academic and Professional Communication
  

Thursday, February 6, 2020 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. | Writing Center, Clark Hall Rm. 124

All emails are not created equal. An email to an employer or faculty member should be written in a different style and tone than one to a friend. You want to get it right the first time! This workshop will teach you all about professional and academic emails and appropriate "net etiquette." Lunch is provided.  

Sign-up Link: https://tinyurl.com/vzltdwu

• PowerPoint like a Pro: Making Slides and Data Visualizations that Don’t Suck
  

Thursday, March 19, 2020 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. | ISSS 1st Floor Conference Room

Slides and data visualizations can make or break your presentation. This workshop is meant to teach design principles and introduce online tools for non-designers. Before and after examples will be used to showcase how to use color schemes and white space, to contrast elements, and to communicate main ideas effectively. Students should bring their own laptops for the slide redesigning. Lunch is provided.

Sign-up Link: https://tinyurl.com/tzyqgyj

Sign-up Link: https://tinyurl.com/wfwbhcn

  

16 Days of Gratitude

Join us in a month of gratitude! We'll be sharing a different prompt each day on Instagram (@sjsuwc) so be sure to keep checking our stories!

The student who participates the most and the student with the best overall response wins 3 tutoring appointments (instead of 2) in one week! Faculty / staff with the most participation and the best overall response will win an advertisement post of your choosing on our Instagram (@sjsuwc). Winners can choose to advertise an on-campus event, an upcoming class for the spring semester, an upcoming publication, or an outside event related to their SJSU work (among many other possibilities!).⁠ 

Deadline: November 4, 2019 to November 25, 2019

Winning Entries Displayed: November 26 on Writing Center Instagram

Student Submissions: tinyurl.com/sjsugs 

Faculty/Staff Submissions: tinyurl.com/sjsufs 

 

Halloween Short Story Contest

Join us in celebrating autumn and Halloween by writing a story that is scary, creepy, thrilling, suspenseful, or mysterious. These super short stories can be up to 100 words long.

There are separate contests with prizes for students and staff/faculty. Each contest will have a winner and two runners up. First place will be a short story collection of your choice and Writing Center goodies. The runners up will receive a writing journal and Writing Center goodies. All winning entries will be displayed on our Instagram on October 30 and 31.

Deadline: October 21 by 6:00 pm

Winning Entries Displayed: October 30 and 31 on Writing Center Instagram

Student Submissions: tinyurl.com/fa19studentcontest

Faculty/Staff Submissions: tinyurl.com/fa19facstaffcontest

How to Structure an Accomplishment Statement

Visit our table to learn the savvy writing skills needed to structure better accomplishment statements in your resume by engaging in a fun and challenging activity. Win exciting prizes! This event is hosted collaboratively by the SJSU Writing Center and the SJSU Career Center.

Date and Time: 
Monday, November 4, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Location: 
7th Street Plaza

 

 

Fall 2019 Practically Speaking Seminar

Practically Speaking is a limited seven-week group experience for 14 SJSU graduate students to enhance their impromptu public speaking skills and develop lifelong communication tools for their professional and academic life.

Impromptu speaking is speaking with no preparation for a short time about 1- to 3-minutes. Impromptu speaking is different from giving prepared speeches, where you write and practice a speech before giving it. This group will work on developing the skills needed to speak spontaneously in an organized and compelling way. We will practice speech structure, audience awareness, vocal variety, and body language. 

Dates and Times:
October 1, 2019 to November 12, 2019 (Every Tuesday)
3:40 PM to 5:30 PM

Location: Clark Hall 124

Application Period: August 21 to September 9 at 5:00pm
Apply:http://www.tinyurl.com/practicallyspeakingfall2019

Fall 2019 Graduate Writing Retreat

A free three-day weekend retreat for 20 graduate students, within 12 months of graduation, working on their long-term writing projects, such as theses, research, and literature reviews. Participants are expected to come each day. Participants will do a prep meeting, write individually, do collaborative discussions, and learn writing strategies. Food and drinks provided.

The retreat will contain presentations and discussions in the mornings followed by individual writing time, during which each student will independently work on their long-term projects. Students should choose projects that will last during the entire three days.

 

2018-2019 Events/Programs

The events listed below already took place. We will be offering some of them again in the future, so please check this page and our social media accounts for updated information. 

 

Writing for the Public

A free drop-in workshop program for faculty and graduate students writing their own OpEds for publication or creating OpEd assignments for their courses.

Location: IRC 101

Dates:

February 21, 10:30-11:45
March 7, 10:30-11:45
March 21, 10:30-11:45
April 11, 10:30-11:45
April 25, 10:30-11:45
May 9, 10:30-11:45

SJSU April Poetry Writing Contest

Join us in celebrating Earth Day and National Poetry Month. Write an acrostic poem related to the environment or Earth Day. An acrostic poem has one letter on each line to spell a word.

EX: DEW

Dazzling droplets
Ephemeral wish
Water of life

Separate contests with prizes for students and staff/faculty. Each contest will have a winner and two runners up. First place will be a poetry book of your choice and Writing Center goodies. The runners up will receive a writing journal and Writing Center goodies. Winning entries will be posted on our social media on April 24.

Deadline: April 21 by 11:59 pm

Student Submissions: tinyurl.com/sp19poemstudentcontest

Faculty/Staff Submissions: tinyurl.com/sp19poemfacstaffcontest

  

Community Story 

An event that allows you to get in touch with your creative side. A chance to take part in writing a story with the SJSU community. There will be multiple story prompts to choose from, and then each student will write a line to add to the story. At the end, there will be four different stories written by many people. Participation prizes included. 

Location: Outside of Clark Hall

Date: Wednesday, April 17, 12:30-2:30

 

NCWCA Conference 

The SJSU Writing Center will be hosting the Northern California Writing Centers Association (NCWCA) Conference.

Dates:
April 5, 2019, Half-day pre-conference workshop
April 6, 2019, Full-day conference

Location:
San Jose State University 
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192

The final registration deadline is March 29, 2019 by 11:59 PM PST. Visit sjsu.edu/ncwca for more information! 

 

Coffee with the Tutors 

Stop by our Clark Hall location to chat with some of the Writing Center tutors over coffee, tea, and light refreshments!

Location: Clark Hall 124
Date: Thursday, March 21st, 10am-3pm

 

How to Structure an Accomplishment Statement

Visit us to learn the right writing skills needed to structure better Accomplishment Statements in your resume by engaging in a fun and challenging activity.

Location: In Front of Clark Hall

When: Tuesday, March 19, 11 am - 2 pm

 

Practically Speaking
A free six-week group experience for graduate students to improve their impromptu public speaking skills for academic and professional daily life.

Location: Clark Hall

Dates:
February 20 - March 27, Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:00
March 5 - April 16, Tuesdays, 3:00 - 4:30
March 8 - April 19, Fridays, 3:30 - 5:00

Application Deadline: February 6 
Apply: www.tinyurl.com/wcps19 

 

 

Spring 2019 Graduate Writing Retreat

A free two-day writing retreat for graduate students working on long-term projects, such as theses, research papers, and literature reviews. Participants will do a prep meeting, write individually, do collaborative discussions, and learn writing strategies. Food and coffee will be provided.

Location: Clark Hall

When: March 2 - March 3, 8:30am to 6:30 p.m. each day

Application Deadline: February 10 
Apply: www.tinyurl.com/sjsuwrs19

 

 

 

SJSU-Themed Haiku Contest

The Writing Center invites all SJSU staff, faculty, and students to submit up to three SJSU-themed haiku to our Instagram contest. All first and second place winners will see their haiku illustrated on Instagram on Thursday, November 29. The student first place prize is a $20 Spartan Gift Card. The student runner-up will receive a $10 Spartan Gift Card. All gift cards are redeemable on campus only. Faculty prizes will also be announced on November 29.

• Submissions will be accepted until November 27.
• Only THREE (3) haiku are allowed per person.
• Submissions must be SJSU-themed

Submit your haiku at tinyurl.com/sjsuhaikus. 

 

Super Short Scary Stories Contest

The SJSU Writing Center and the Poets & Writers Coalition invite all SJSU students to write a three-sentence scary short story in honor of October. First place wins a $30 Spartan Gift Card. Two runner-ups will receive a $20 Spartan Gift Card. All gift cards are redeemable on campus only.

• Submissions will be accepted until October 25 at 11:59pm.
• Only ONE (1) entry is allowed per person.
• Submissions must be no more than three sentences.
  

Be scary! Submit stories at bit.ly/scarywc. 

 

Speaking English Group (SEG)

When:
2nd and 4th Wednesdays in September and October
9/12, 1:30-2:30, "Casual vs. Formal English"
9/26, 1:30-2:30, "English Idioms"
10/10, 1:30-2:30, "Culture Shock in Writing"
10/24, 1:30-2:30, "University Life & Goal Setting"

Where: 
Clark Hall 124

What: 
"SEG" is a Speaking English Group run by the SJSU Writing 
Center. We offer free coffee and a space for international 
and bilingual students along with other members of the 
SJSU community to explore topics relating to English, 
academic life, and professional success. We will provide
free coffee for participants. 
Downloadable Flier

 

Fall 2018 Graduate Writing Retreat

When: 
Friday, 10/5, 2:00-6:30
Saturday, 10/6, 9:30-6:30
Sunday, 10/7, 3:00-7:30

Where:
Student Union 

What: 
The Graduate Writing Retreat is a three-day retreat for graduate students working on long-term projects, such as theses, research, and literature reviews. Participants will individually write, do collaborative discussions, and learn writing and goal-setting strategies. We will provide food 
and coffee for participants. 
Downloadable Flier

 

Practically Speaking

When:
Every Wednesday from October 10 to November 14
10/10, 4:30-6:00
10/17, 4:30-6:00
10/24, 4:30-6:00
10/31, 4:30-6:00
11/7, 4:30-6:00
11/14, 4:30-6:00

Where: 
Clark Hall 124

What:
"Practically Speaking" is a free six-week cohort experience for graduate students to improve their impromptu public speaking skills in preparation for courses, conferences, job
interviews, and professional daily life.  
Downloadable Flier

 

Transfer Student Midterm Writing Help

When:
Monday, 10/15, 3:10-7:00

Where: 
Clark Hall 126

What:
This event will be a space for SJSU transfer undergraduate and graduate students to receive drop-in 20-minute writing sessions, food, and coffee. Students are welcome to stop by anytime! 
Downloadable Flier