Virtual Consultations with Zoom!
Zoom Meeting Experience

Zoom is an online meeting and conferencing platform that allows for audio, video, and screen sharing.  It is an easy to use and high quality solution for those students who, due to distance and time constraints, are unable to physically meet with writing consultants.  If you would like more information about Zoom, please visit their website: www.zoom.us.

In the Graduate Writing Studio, we are utilizing Zoom for one-on-one writing consultations.  We are implementing “Zoom only” and “Zoom hybrid” sessions.  “Zoom only” sessions use the audio, video, and screen sharing features.  “Zoom hybrid” sessions use the screen sharing features of Zoom along with audio via a traditional phone line. The hybrid session accommodates students who may not have a microphone-enabled computer.  In this instance, the consultant will invite the student to the on-line Zoom meeting and will also call the student on the phone. 

For information on how to access and use Zoom, please see our Zoom Guide for Students (pdf -1.1 MB).  Also, check out our new Zoom infographic(pdf 646 kb)!

NEW VIDEO: Introduction to ZOOM!

Video on How to Join a Zoom meeting!

Video on How to Access Video and Audio Settings!

Due to COVID-19, physical drop-in appointments have been suspended; however, feel free to email us at fresnostategsc@gmail.com for last minute appointment availability.

Every hour the Graduate Writing Studio is open may be considered a "drop-in" time.  Students often do not use all 50 minutes of a session, and there are occasionally students who fail to show up for scheduled appointments.  If either of the Graduate Writing Studio doors are open (i.e., the "Consultation in Progress" sign is not posted), students are welcome to "drop-in" on the consultant; even if it's only for 15 minutes, it could be time well-spent.

Due to COVID-19, the Graduate Study Center space has been closed until further notice.

All Fresno State graduate students are welcome to use the computer workstations and study rooms in our study center space. No reservations are required.

Reference librarians,Graduate Writing Studio and Stats Studio staff offer informative workshops on EndNote, Literature Reviews, Academic Writing, documentation style, Avoiding Plagiarism, Writer's Block, and more. Check out what is coming up and register now!

Grammar for Grad Students: This is a free series consisting of four sessions.  It is designed to help develop your writing skills according to the academic requirements of this university. Some of the topics that will be covered include parts of speech, sentence and paragraph construction, and punctuation.  Stay tuned for future workshops.

Are you looking for additional writing support?  We have formed multi-disciplinary, discipline-specific, and thesis construction/development writing groups. Currently all groups meet online via ZOOM!
Check out more information below:

What is the Purpose of a Graduate Writing Group?

Writing Groups are a social and academic way to introduce students to each other and to lend support, foster an atmosphere of community and create a resource for peer feedback on all academic writing endeavors including and up through the thesis / project process.

Benefits of Writing Groups

• To receive and provide support and lessen the feeling of working and studying in isolation.
• To gain important insight into your own work through constructive and supportive reading response.
• To hold yourself and each other accountable for making progress in your course work and thesis.
• To expand your network of resources that help you achieve your academic and personal goals.
• To learn from others who are on the same journey.
• To create social opportunities for like-minded students with similar academic interests. 

Discipline Specific Groups

If you know of other students in your field of study who can commit to a specific time each week, let the Graduate Study Center help you organize, promote, structure and launch your discipline specific writing group. Even if you don't know anyone in your field, and you'd still like to make a group like this happen, we can certainly help.

Multi-Disciplinary Groups

If you feel that you would benefit from feedback on your writing projects and you are interested in collaborating with students who have similar needs from various disciplines at this university, the Graduate Study Center can help you promote and launch a non-discipline specific writing group.

Thesis Construction Writing Groups

Students are welcome to meet on a weekly basis to discuss their final project drafting progress, problems/concerns, template usage, and the steps necessary for submission. These groups help grad students be prepared to submit their final work without the additional stress of wondering whether or not they completing the steps correctly. An experienced consultant will facilitate each discussion and provide incentives for productivity. This is a highly useful forum for students who are taking thesis units and/or are nearing completion of their theses, projects, and/or dissertations.

Requirements for Membership and How the Group Will Function

• All members must be currently enrolled in Fresno State University in a graduate level program of study.
• Members must have a current writing assignments / thesis / project in progress made available as interactive material for the group.
• Conflicts happen, but all members must make every effort to attend ALL meetings.

NOTE: Joining a writing / support group is not just about making a commitment to oneself; it’s also about making a commitment to the group. For the group to work, everyone needs to commit to making a serious go of it. When a member drops out (for reasons other than completing his or her thesis / project), it can have a negative effect on everyone in the group. Students who are unable to make this commitment will probably not benefit from joining. 

Meeting Place

Currently, all meetings are held online via ZOOM. When normal on-campus activities resume, we’ll meet either in the Graduate Study Center or our reserved Study Pod in the Henry Madden Library. All meetings are held online at predetermined times, and your meeting facilitator will always email reminders and ZOOM links when needed.

More Information

Interested students are welcome to contact Ronald Dzerigian at the Graduate Study Center at rdzerigian@csufresno.edu or call (559) 278-2450 and leave a message with your name, major (program name), and a contact number where you can be reached.

GWS Blog  The Fresno State Graduate Writing Studio blog is focused on topics pertaining to graduate students and academic writing.  We hope it will be a helpful writing resource.  Check it out now!

You must be a registered Fresno State graduate student to use the services of the Graduate Writing Studio.

Graduate students may schedule appointments via email ( fresnostategsc@gmail.com).

Appointment slots are held until 10 minutes past the hour; after this time, the session will be given away to another student.

Failure to attend a scheduled appointment without notifying GWS staff 24 hours in advance may result in cancellation of subsequent appointments.

Consultants may work with students on projects, theses, or other longer papers as part of a Fresno State course assignment; consultants may also collaborate with students on professional development needs like cover letters for doctoral, employment, or scholarship applications.  Otherwise, consultants are not permitted to advise students on written material unrelated to the pursuit and completion of a master's or doctoral degree at Fresno State.

 The Graduate Writing Studio consultants view writing as constantly developing and changing, and they encourage students to engage in writing as a process through brainstorming, drafting, and discussing their work.

GWS consultants will meet graduate students at any stage of the writing process. However, consultants are not permitted to proofread and edit papers for mechanical and grammatical errors without explanation or discussion with the student.

GWS consultants are trained to promote collaborative learning, where the student is an active participant in the session; offer practical encouragement and constructive criticism; and direct students to resources that will help them continue their work independently after the session. The goal of each session is for the student to increase his or her skill level, confidence, and independence as a writer.

GWS consultants are trained as well to ask students questions about their writing goals and concerns. Given the length of most graduate-level writing assignments (e.g., theses, projects), consultants will not likely be able to review the entire piece of writing; students should be prepared to identify which portion or portions of an assigned writing task they wish to cover within the time frame of the consultation.

 

Paria Azami is a graduate student at Fresno State, and she is currently working on her master's degree in biology. She received her AA degree in general science from Santa Monica College and her bachelor's degree in molecular, cell, and developmental biology from UCLA.  She teaches microbiology and general biology laboratories at Fresno State. In her free time, she creates digital and oil paintings, watches movies, and reads. She currently lives in Fresno with her kitten, Lucky Charms.

 

 

Jamie Barker earned her B.A. in English in 2011, received her M.F.A. in Creative Writing in 2014, and is now working on an M.A. in Literature. She is an adjunct English professor at Reedley College, where she loves her amazing, hard-working students. Jamie has also taught at private schools in San Francisco and the bay area, and at the Fresno County Jail, where she hopes to return. Jamie is a wife, a mother of four, and is the the happy abuela to Mason, Luna, and Harlem. She lives in Fresno with her husband Brad, and her dogs Hector and Ophelia.

 

 

 

 

 Rosie Bates earned her B.A. in Psychology from University of San Diego and is currently working on her M.F.A in Creative Writing Non-Fiction at Fresno State. After graduating from USD in 2013 she worked in the climbing industry as a coach, programs manager, and route setter. As a passionate climber herself (if she is not writing or working) you will most likely find her out in the Sierra exploring the endless granite Fresno’s backyard has to offer.  

 

 

Ronald Dzerigian graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing  (emphasis in Poetry) from Fresno  State. He serves as an assistant coordinator and writing consultant for the Graduate Writing Studio and has been part of the team since 2013.  He has authored a collection of poems, Rough Fire (Finishing Line Press, 2018), and lives in a small farming community outside Fresno with his wife and two daughters.

 

 

 

Patricia Jovel (PJ) Flores is a writer, scholar and organizer from Santa Ana, California, currently attaining a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Fresno State, with a concentration in Fiction. PJ received her B.A. in Ethnic Studies/Chicana Studies at UC Berkeley, where she gained skills in literary, historical, educational and public policy research, and taught a section of the Poetry for the People undergraduate course. As a McNair Research Scholar, she designed, carried out, and presented an investigation of Restorative Justice policy reforms in Oakland Unified School District. Since graduating, she has worked in labor organizing, environmental justice, immigration law, mental health care, and as a tutor and instructional provider, while continuing to write short stories, poems, songs, and comic books, and presenting on LGBTQ+ issues and the rights of incarcerated people. In all her work, Patricia is dedicated to advocating for new ways to care for and value people with mental health conditions, and to uplifting the voices of queer and trans femmes of color. 

 

 

 Alex Habib received his BA in English from Fresno State in 2018 and is currently working on getting his MFA in creative writing, fiction. He is fascinated by the intersection of mythology and philosophy and is currently working on his first novel, which he hopes to expand into a trilogy. His hobbies include reading fantasy novels, kickboxing, video games, and writing poetry. 

        

 

 Debra Neufeld graduated from the Kremen School of Education at Fresno State with a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. She also completed a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Technology. She has been part of the GWS team since 2012, and she currently serves as assistant coordinator. She works on various program aspects related to the Writing Studio including Social Media and communication.

 

 

Delaney Olmo graduated with both of her BA’s in Sociology and Women Studies in 2019. She has a Certificate in Applied Research. Delaney is currently working on her M.F.A. in Creative Writing Poetry at Fresno State. Some of her hobbies include cooking, listening to music, reading, writing, and playing video games.

 

 

 Chuck Radke is the Dissertation and Thesis Consultant at Fresno State, along with coordinating the services of the Fresno State Graduate Writing Studio. Chuck has a Bachelor of Arts in English from UCLA, a Master of Arts in English from Fresno State, and a Master of Fine Arts from Florida International University.

 

 

 

 

Bradley Samore earned his B.A. in International Studies from the University of South Florida in 2013.  He has worked as an English language and writing teacher in Spain, North Carolina, Florida, and California.  Bradley enjoys playing basketball, reading, writing, meditating, and doing yoga and tai chi.

 

 

 

Cristina Sandoval is a first-year MFA student with a concentration in poetry. She did her undergrad at CSU Stanislaus, where she studied English TESOL. She has 6 years of experience as a writing center tutor, from her time at Modesto Junior College and CSU Stanislaus. She has a passion for a well-organized and sincere paper. She believes in the power of the writer, and aims to be the "guide on the side."

NEW! Video: Reading at the Graduate Level (YouTube video 10 min)

Critical Skimming Infographic (pdf - 175 kb) 

Anatomy of an APA Research Article (YouTube video 2:41)  NEW!!

Reading an APA Research Article (pdf - 258 kb)  NEW!!

Graduate Level Writing (pdf - 76 kb) University of Maryland

Academic Writing (.ppt)

Paraphrasing Effectively (YouTube video 3:57)

5 Tips for Better Notetaking (YouTube video 4:20)

Summarizing, Paraphrasing, Quoting (.doc - 36.5 kb)

Transitional Words and Phrases (PDF 85 kb)

Using Transitions - The University of Wisconsin Writing Center (web link)

Creating Effective Research Presentations (.pptx 124 kb)

Verb Tense in Research/Scientific Writing (YouTube video 4:25)

Scientific Writing Tips (YouTube video 3:01)

Keyboard Shortcuts (.pdf 411 kb) NEW!!

APA has published a new documentation style manual (APA 7th).  In the fall 2020 semester, the Dissertation/Thesis Office will start requiring all theses and dissertations to be written using the new edition.  We will continue to add more resources to this section.

 

APA Basics PowerPoint: View this introductory presentation on APA style (7th edition)

APA Style Guidelines: On their website, APA has provided an extensive guide (Style and Grammar Guidelines) that covers much of what is in the 7th edition.

APA Citation Quick Guide (7th Edition) (pdf - 131KB)

Henry Madden Libary - APA 7th Edition Information

Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)

Concise Guide Student Paper Checklist: (pdf 315 KB) This helpful document is from the APA Style 7th Edition website.

APA In-Text Citation Checklist (pdf - 324KB) This checklist, provided by the experts at APA Style, will help with citing and paraphrasing.

Six Steps to Proper Citation (pdf - 95 KB) This infographic gives a good visual step by step guide as you read and incorporate sources into your academic writing. It has been created by the experts at APA Style.

APA 7th Trivia Challenge (Citations): Test your knowledge!

APA - adding a running head to an APA paper (YouTube video - 2:38)

Discussion Section Phrase Guide (pdf - 126 KB) This handout provides numerous sentence prompts that can help get you started on writing your conclusion or discussion section. It has been created by the formatting experts at APA Style.

Journal Article Reference Checklist (pdf 198 KB) This has been created by the experts at APA Style.

APA Style Tips: Part 1 (YouTube Video - 2:52) This video covers information about abbreviations, verb tense, and appendices.

 

Journal Article Reporting Standards (JARS): From APA Style

These helpful links will help when organizing your document as they provide detailed information on what needs to be included in the introduction, lit review, methods, results, and conclusion/discussion.

Mixed Method Research Design 

Quantitative Research Design

Qualitative Research Design

 

Thesis Submission Process (pdf 247 kb)

Navigating the Dissertation Template (.pptx - 2.9 MB)

Navigating the Thesis Template (.ppt - 5.9 MB)

Thesis Template: Shortcuts (.pptx - 1.4 MB)

Thesis Workshop (.ppt)

Working with the Styles Window (video 2:36)

Pasting into the Template (video 1:40)

Populating the Table of Contents (video 2:36)

Fresno State E-Collections: Theses & Dissertations

Sample Chapter 1: Introduction (pdf - 1.9MB)

Sample Literature Review (PDF 271 kb)

Literature Review - North Carolina State University Video (YouTube)

Lit Review Overview: Ross T. LaBaugh (Video)

Strategies for Writing Literature Reviews - Penn State

Creating an Annotated Bibliography - Brock University (Video)

Henry  Madden Library Literature Review Guide

Conducting a Literature Review in Education and the Behavioral Sciences (Adelphi University tutorials)

Academic Word List - Victoria University (pdf 87 kb)

U.S. Academic Writing (pdf 41 kb)

Useful Web Links for ESL Students (pdf 383 kb)

Writing Paragraphs - University of North Carolina Writing Center  (pdf 139 kb)

Oxford Comma - YouTube video (3 minutes)

Collective Nouns - YouTube video (5.5 minutes)