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
Upcoming Workshops
Word for Long-Form Academic Writing
Date/Time: Wed, Jun 10, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Description: Many graduate student writers use Word like a typewriter, but this workshop helps students understand how Word can be an effective document production system. This workshop offers practical advice on how Word can actually help better manage and organize long-form writing. The goals of the Workshop are to reduce manual work, reduce inconsistency, increase ease of use, increase document structure, and prevent formatting disasters.
Writing Literature Reviews
Date/Time: Wed, Jun 17, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
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.
Crafting Research Abstracts
Date/Time: Thu, June 25, 2026 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
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.
Sustainable Writing Strategies
Date/Time: Fall '26 TBA
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.
Writing Retreats
Dissertation Forum and Writing Retreat
Date/Time: Spring '27 TBA
Location: Tampa Campus
Description: 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
Spring 2026 Schedule:
Online Mini Thesis & Dissertation Writing Retreat
Date/Time: Fall '26 TBA
Description: 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 9 weeks during the semester.
Summer 2026 9-Week WAG Registration is open.
Summer students will agree to meet for 1 agreed-upon hour to do sustained writing for 9 weeks in the Summer 2026 semester, beginning on Sunday, May 31st, and ending Sunday, August 1st.
Registration Deadline: May 22nd at 5 PM
Group formation begins after registration closes, and a brief online orientation will
take place the following week.
Writing Wednesdays
Summer 2026: May 27th - July 29th
Online: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Online Moderated by Dr. Stephanie Harper, Assistant Director, ETD and Writing Services
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)