Close Reading and Annotating
Ever tried to get through something “really deep" or "complex,” so you read the article
over and over again and still don’t understand it? Then this workshop is for you!
Learn helpful strategies for figuring out meaning and enhancing your comprehension
skills. Learn to mark up your reading assignment the smart way, allowing you to dive
deeper into understanding information that you are asked to write about.
In this workshop, you will learn:
- How to read “actively” not passively
- How to have “conversations” with journals and articles you read by annotating them
- How to improve your critical thinking by questioning and connecting as you read
March 5, 2026, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Prewriting and Outlining
Have you ever jumped into writing an essay, only to discover you’re stuck in the middle
and can’t write your way out? Taking just a few extra steps before writing an essay
draft can be a good investment in successful writing. Learn the 7 steps of pre-writing
in this workshop that can make an improved difference in your final essay.
In this workshop, you will learn:
•To assess which of strategies are best for individual writing projects
•To incorporate critical thinking into the pre-writing and outlining process
•To recognize research as a component of writing rather than separate from the writing
process
•To practice a variety of outlining and pre-writing strategies
March 11, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
MLA Format
This workshop is a one-stop-shop for all things MLA! What exactly is MLA, you ask?
Well, it’s not the Major League Association, and it’s not the Money Lenders Academy
-- it’s the Modern Language Association’s writing style standard that determines what
essays, like yours, should LOOK like! This workshop is a must (or a refresher) for
students taking Humanities classes such as English Literature, modern languages, and
cultural studies, to name a few. Register now – you'll be glad you did!
In this workshop, you will learn:
•General MLA formatting: its purpose and function
•How to create an MLA template for future assignments
•How to create and organize a Works Cited page
•How to effectively incorporate quotes
March 13, 2026, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Annotated Bibliographies
Before you are expected to start writing an essay, instructors often ask you to create
an annotated bibliography. Have you been assigned an annotated bibliography and are
not sure where to begin? Wondering why and how it is useful for writing an essay?
We can help you create annotated bibs that will allow you to get the most out of your
research and develop strong ideas for your paper.
In this workshop, you will learn:
• How annotated bibliographies are useful in the pre-writing process.
• What information belongs in an annotated bibliography.
• Formatting and structural patterns of an annotated bibliography
• To assess emerging themes you find during the research process and begin to consider
how to use this assessment to develop a thesis/ argument/ focus for an academic paper
March 16, 2026, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
MLA Format
This workshop is a one-stop-shop for all things MLA! What exactly is MLA, you ask?
Well, it’s not the Major League Association, and it’s not the Money Lenders Academy
-- it’s the Modern Language Association’s writing style standard that determines what
essays, like yours, should LOOK like! This workshop is a must (or a refresher) for
students taking Humanities classes such as English Literature, modern languages, and
cultural studies, to name a few. Register now – you'll be glad you did!
In this workshop, you will learn:
•General MLA formatting: its purpose and function
•How to create an MLA template for future assignments
•How to create and organize a Works Cited page
•How to effectively incorporate quotes
March 19, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Researching Smarter Not Harder
Sometimes your essay is only as good as the outside sources used to support your thesis.
Learn all about keywords and practice the search and research process in this workshop!
We’ll provide you with tips and strategies that will help you navigate SMC’s Library
databases (and others) for specific and targeted sources that will strengthen your
paper’s argument!
In this workshop, you will learn:
•To apply research to the formulating and refining of research question(s)
•To employ keywords to help you refine and expand your research
•To evaluate and analyze sources to help you find other sources
•To organize and keep track of the sources you will use in your paper
March 24, 2026, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Writing Powerful Paragraphs
The end of boring and dull paragraphs is near! Did you know that every paragraph can
pack its own punch by provoking and/or persuading readers? Think of your paragraphs
as building blocks that provide a foundation for your argument and learn how to make
them solid by attending this workshop!
In this workshop, you will learn:
•How the use of rhetorical strategies and transitional phrases can promote clarity
and ease of understanding for your readers
•How to fully develop one controlling idea for each paragraph
•To create strong topic sentences that guide the direction of the rest of the paragraph
•How paragraph arrangement differs depending on its location in the essay
March 26, 2026, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Essay Refresher
Have you ever struggled to write an essay? Do you kinda-sorta remember the parts of
an essay but feel completely lost when anyone asks you about them? Come and brush
up on your essay writing skills ! Review pre-writing strategies and brainstorming,
writing effective thesis statements, incorporating research, and avoiding common “pitfalls.”
In this workshop, we’ll go over the whole package to prepare you for any writing assignment!
In this workshop, you will learn:
•To recognize and understand the fundamentals of essay structure
•To practice specific strategies for essay development
•To consider effective organizational approaches for essay writing
•The function of counterarguments (also known as rebuttals or refutations
March 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Transfer Essays and PIQs
Getting ready to transfer to the four-year of your dream can be a stressful process!
Before you begin writing your answers to any university’s Personal Insight Questions,
do yourself a stress-free favor and attend this workshop. You’ll receive tips and
techniques that will help you showcase the uniqueness of “you” in areas such as your
preparedness for advanced courses, leadership skills, strengths and weaknesses, obstacles
and opportunities, and any noteworthy contributions to your campus or community.
In this workshop, you will learn:
•To develop concrete and specific details that will help you stand out and underscore
your accomplishments and talents.
•How and why to explain academic or personal challenges and missteps.
•To prove knowledge and understanding of the institution and department you are applying
to.
•To avoid pitfalls and clichés that weaken your responses.
April 2, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Writing with "Flow"
Getting ready to transfer to the four-year of your dream can be a stressful process!
Before you begin writing your answers to any university’s Personal Insight Questions,
do yourself a stress-free favor and attend this workshop. You’ll receive tips and
techniques that will help you showcase the uniqueness of “you” in areas such as your
preparedness for advanced courses, leadership skills, strengths and weaknesses, obstacles
and opportunities, and any noteworthy contributions to your campus or community.
In this workshop, you will learn:
•To develop concrete and specific details that will help you stand out and underscore
your accomplishments and talents.
•How and why to explain academic or personal challenges and missteps.
•To prove knowledge and understanding of the institution and department you are applying
to.
•To avoid pitfalls and clichés that weaken your responses.
April 8, 2026, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
APA Format
What is APA style? Hint: it’s not a fashion trend. It’s actually a standardized format
created by the American Psychological Association that is most commonly used in the
social, behavioral, and natural sciences, nursing, communications, education, business,
and engineering disciplines. If you’re taking a class in any of the above areas, we
promise that this workshop will be very useful in your writing assignments!
In this workshop, you will learn:
• General APA formatting: its purpose and function
• To create your own APA template to use for future APA-style projects
• To practice creating a correct APA reference
• To recognize and utilize various correct APA in-text citations
April 22, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting
Learn and practice the “art” of summarizing and know when to paraphrase and when to
quote! See the different ways to integrate quotes using helpful templates. Smoothly
integrate outside sources and put more of your voice into your own writing. Supporting
your argument with reliable facts and evidence will be your ‘take-away’ from this
workshop!
In this workshop, you will learn:
•The key differences between these three methods of source integration and when to
use them
•How to use sources accurately and effectively
•Avoiding plagiarism
April 23, 2026, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Revision Strategies
Sometimes professors allow you to revise your essay for a better grade. If you’re
one of the lucky ones, you have an opportunity to improve your grade by strengthening
your essay in many ways. This workshop helps you to “re-see,” critically assess, and
successfully rework your writing. Reserve your spot today!
In this workshop, you will learn:
•To distinguish the difference between revision and simply proofreading
•To assess rhetorical strategies that may/may not be effective in your writing
•To re-examine your prompt for expectations to help set revision goals
•To understand and implement suggestions and feedback from your professors
April 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Transfer Essays and PIQs
Getting ready to transfer to the four-year of your dream can be a stressful process.
You're in luck. We have one more of our popular transfer essay workshop planned this
spring! You’ll receive tips and techniques that will help you showcase the uniqueness
of “you” in areas such as your preparedness for advanced courses, leadership skills,
strengths and weaknesses, obstacles and opportunities, and any noteworthy contributions
to your campus or community.
In this workshop, you will learn:
•To develop concrete and specific details that will help you stand out and underscore
your accomplishments and talents.
•How and why to explain academic or personal challenges and missteps.
•To prove knowledge and understanding of the institution and department you are applying
to.
•To avoid pitfalls and clichés that weaken your responses.
May 12, 2026, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Proofreading Strategies
Spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors? (-10 pts. each). Misused words and
missing conjunctions? (-10 pts. each). Faulty thesis, no citations, and poor transitions?
(-10 pts. each). Get the maximum number of points on your paper simply by proofreading
your writing before you turn it in. We’ll help you learn how!
In this workshop, you will learn:
•To distinguish the difference between proofreading and revision
•Standard proofreading/editing marks and using your class’s rubric
•Tips and techniques to help you find sentence-level errors
•How carefully and critically re-reading your work can uncover your writing strengths
and weaknesses
May 19, 2026, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.