UChicagoGRAD provides master’s students with opportunities to hone their academic writing and professional oral communication skills.
Writing Resources for Master’s Students
Writing Consultations
Graduate Writing Tutors are available to meet one-on-one with graduate students about academic works in progress, such as conference papers, journal articles, and coursework papers. Writers set the agenda; during the consultation, tutors help writers devise a plan for moving forward by acting as a sounding board, mobilizing their expertise in analyzing academic writing, and suggesting revision techniques. Schedule an appointment.
ESL/EAL Writing Tutors
ESL/EAL Graduate Writing Tutors are available for any student who speaks English as an additional language. Students are encouraged to consult with tutors on current writing projects to enhance their understanding of writing norms in academic English. Students can expect to review an average of 10 pages per session. Schedule an appointment.
Writing Appointment Guidelines
To schedule a writing consultation, log into GRAD Gargoyle, click on “Advising Appointments,” and search for availability for one of the WRITTEN COMMUNICATION appointment types.
At least 24 hours before your appointment time, please submit your document (up to ten pages, double-spaced) by emailing it to your writing consultant. We must cancel your appointment if you miss this deadline. The document you submit and the discussion that follows must fall into one of the following categories.
- Conference Paper
- Abstract
- Paper for Coursework
- Journal Article
- MA Thesis/Qualifying Paper
For feedback on fellowship application documents, please contact UChicagoGRAD’s Fellowship Proposal Specialist or email grad-fellowships@uchicago.edu.
Oral Communication for Master’s Students
One-on-One Advising
UChicagoGRAD advisors can help Master’s students from select programs navigate a range of academic and professional communication challenges.
- Conference Presentations
- Public Talks
- Professional Communication
- Interview Preparation
Advising appointments focus on the advisee’s communication goals and concerns. Advisors help Master’s students understand their audience, refine their strategy, and set practical steps for revision. Schedule an advising appointment.
Virtual Research Communication Coach
The Virtual Research Communication Coach helps UChicago graduate students and postdocs convey their research more effectively and confidently in virtual settings. (Be sure to connect to UChicago’s VPN before accessing the tool. You will get an error message if you do not connect to UChicago’s VPN.)
The Communication Coach is designed to help
- Improve presentation effectiveness through persona-specific feedback
- Provide real-time coaching on delivery behaviors such as pace, eye contact, vocal variation, and filler words
- Provide non-native English speakers with repeated practice opportunities, real-time delivery guidance, and confidence-building support
The Coach complements and reinforces the skills that graduate students and postdocs gain through UChicagoGRAD’s advising and other resources, empowering users to articulate the impact of their research with greater confidence and clarity.
Workshops and Events
UChicagoGRAD offers workshops that help Master’s students build their networking and interview skills, and prepare them for participation in UChicagoGRAD events, including career fairs. View upcoming workshops.
