New & Current Students
Graduate Writing Services
Graduate writers face unique challenges that range from learning to navigate larger pieces of sustained writing to successfully approaching unfamiliar genre conventions. OGS is here to provide support.
Schedule a 30-minute online meeting with Dr. Stephanie Harper regarding graduate writing at any stage of the process.
Schedule a 45-minute online meeting with Laura Murphy, OGS's multilingual writing specialist, regarding graduate writing at any stage of the process.
Booking Information
- Appointments cannot be made less than 48 hours in advance.
- Appointment Limits: 1 session per day, no more than 2 per week
- Please email us if you need to reschedule or cancel
- Be prepared to share your screen (check system settings before the meeting)
- Have materials, like the writing or the prompt, readily available to share
Writing Support Sessions can be scheduled via Bookings:
Upcoming Workshops
Crafting Research Abstracts
Date/Time: February 4th from 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM. (Virtual) Register Here.
Description: In this workshop, we provide a concise guide to crafting abstracts. This presentation
will break down the writing of the abstract into simple steps that will enable you
to create an engaging abstract highlighting your research. Academia is competitive,
and writing a strong abstract is crucial for success. It opens doors and encourages
engagement with your work. Effectively summarizing complex research within a tight
word limit (often 200-250 words) is challenging. This workshop focuses on the capacity
of the abstract as a genre convention to create a clear pathway to your work for a
wide range of potential audiences and the methods to do so successfully.
Writing Literature Reviews
Date/Time: February 18th from 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM. (Virtual) Register Here.
Description: OGS Writing Services presents a writing workshop on structuring and crafting literature
reviews. This workshop covers the basic genre conventions of Literature Reviews as
well as strategies for organizing and drafting one.
Sustainable Writing Strategies
Date/Time: March 16th, 11:15 AM.
Location: EDU 347 (In Person)
Description: Writing is a lifelong skill, not just for academic work. Writing is where we articulate
our knowledge. Sustainability prevents binge writing, burnout, and frustration. The
goal of this workshop is to help attendees, through reflection and discussion, consider
what strategies will help them develop a consistent, fulfilling, and adaptable writing
practice.
This workshop occurs In-Person at the Dissertation Forum and Writing Retreat. Register for the Dissertation Forum & Writing Retreat below or here: https://forms.office.com/r/qpbHRxwEXQ
Writing Retreats
Dissertation Forum and Writing Retreat
Date/Time: March 16th - 18th from 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM. Register Here.
Location: Tampa campus, Education building (EDU 347, 314, 316)
Description: During spring break, join us for a three-day graduate dissertation forum and writing
retreat featuring sessions on research, writing, and communication strategies that
are tailored to thesis and dissertation writers. We'll have workshops devoted to citation
management, using AI in your writing, and managing stress. The forum will host a new
faculty panel on committee relations, professionalization, and writing strategies.
Each day, we've included 2 one-hour sessions each day making sure you have time to
sit down and write.
Hosted by USF Libraries and the Office of Graduate Studies with support from the Writing
Studio.
Cost: $10
Schedule: https://guides.lib.usf.edu/dissertation-forum/schedule
Online Mini Thesis & Dissertation Writing Retreat
Date/Time: Fall Semester TBA
Join for two 3-hour block writing sessions each day, with a facilitator present for
quick 5–10-minute break-out sessions regarding writing concerns if needed. The Fall
Sustainable Writing Strategies Workshop occurs in conjunction with this retreat.
Students are encouraged to show up and write for the full duration of as many sessions
as they are able.
Writing Accountability Groups
Writing Accountability Groups (WAGs) provide community, support, and engagement while helping students establish goals, structure, and sustainable writing practices.
Writing Accountability Groups at USF are composed of Masters and Doctoral students working on sustained writing (Proposals, Portfolio papers, Theses, Dissertations, Academic essays). These peer-focused writing groups meet once a week for an hour over 10 weeks during the semester.
Spring 2026 10-Week WAG Registration is open. Register Here: https://forms.office.com/r/8m48FVTsUf
Spring students will agree to meet for 1 agreed-upon hour to do sustained writing for 10 weeks in the Spring 2026 semester, beginning on Monday, January 26, and ending Sunday, April 12.
Registration Deadline: January 16th at 5 PM
Group formation begins after registration closes, and a brief online orientation will
take place on Friday, January 23rd at 9 AM.
Writing Wednesdays
Spring 2026: January 14 - April 29
Online: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM JOIN HERE
In-person: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: ALN 209 USF Tampa Campus
Online Moderated by Dr. Stephanie Harper, Assistant Director, ETD and Writing Services
In-person Moderated by Dr. Tracy Costello, Assistant Dean, Postdoctoral Affairs and
Graduate Student Success
Being intentional and consistent about writing will help you progress and meet your goals. Whether it's a journal article or a fellowship/grant, thesis or dissertation, proposal, or a scholarship/award application, join peers in a time of intention setting and dedicated writing.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Stephanie Harper (Online)