Academic Writing Group (AWG)

The living wall and OISE sign in the OISE lobby.
Academic Writing Group (AWG)

The OISE Student Success Centre (OSSC) offers writing groups during Fall and Winter terms to help you connect with your peers and to make the academic writing process less stressful and more productive. Designed for students for whom English is an additional language, these writing groups offer you an opportunity to deepen your understanding of academic writing in a supportive and encouraging setting. Led by Teaching Assistants from the OSSC, each class is assigned a Group Facilitator who will guide you through engaging, interactive sessions, full of practical writing tips and community building.

Sessions typically run across 10 weeks in both the fall and winter semesters. In each two-hour meeting, the group will discuss a particular aspect of academic writing, and then you will work with the other students in your group on feedback aimed at improving the content, structure, and grammar of your writing. 

*Please note that the Group Facilitator does not provide individual writing consultations. For one-to-one feedback, we recommend booking a session with one of the OSSC advisors to discuss your work. 

I am truly grateful for the support and guidance I received from the AWG. I gained invaluable insights into various writing skills such as essay structures and reflective writing, which significantly contributed to my academic success. I deeply appreciate having an instructor who provided constant encouragement.

- AWG Participant 2023/24
Option C

How to Register

The AWG is designed for Master's level, international students, or students for whom English is an additional language. OISE Students will receive invitations to their UTORONTO emails at the start of each term.

Fall - September 20th, 2024 - November 29, 2024

Winter - January 2025 - April 2025 (dates TBD)

Session Dates

Each class builds on the previous sessions and spots are limited. Please ensure you can attend all of the session dates prior to completing the registration form. 

Fall Session

  • Week 1: September 20
  • Week 2: September 27
  • Week 3: October 4
  • BREAK: October 11
  • Week 4: October 18
  • Week 5: October 25
  • Week 6: November 1
  • Week 7: November 8
  • Week 8: November 15
  • Week 9: November 22
  • Week 10: November 29 

*Sessions are run in cohorts, with one group running from 10am - 12pm (mostly virtual) and the second from 2pm - 4pm (all in-person).

Winter Session

Dates for 2025 are to be confirmed.

Topics

  • Giving & receiving feedback
  • Reading, pre-writing & notetaking
  • Summaries, abstracts & annotated bibliographies
  • Reflective writing
  • Introdcutions
  • Literature reviews
  • Conclusions
  • Quoting & paraphrasing
  • Clarify, conciseness & style
  • Flow, cohesion & coherence

Contact Us

For more information, please contact Michael Koslowski m.koslowski@mail.utoronto.ca or Elena Danilina elena.danilina@mail.utoronto.ca