All scholars need to write, but many of us find writing mysterious and intimidating. This class demystifies academic writing, presenting it as a craft that can be learned and strengthened through practice. You’ll learn to navigate unfamiliar new genres, understand your audience’s expectations, and explain your ideas with clarity.

This class introduces strategies that any scholar can use to build a more confident and joyful writing practice. The instructor will discuss five key questions that guide academic writing across disciplines:

1. What’s your question?
2. What have other researchers argued about your question?
3. What’s your argument?
4. How do you know? and
5. Why does it matter?

The class will also analyze model texts from diverse disciplines, including grant proposals, abstracts, and journal articles, to learn from their structure and style. Finally, participants will explore resources where they can find further guidance with specific concerns, such as grammar, citation, and writing in English as an additional language.

TAKE THIS CLASS IF

• You’re an early-career scholar, graduate student, or college student.
• You want to strengthen your academic writing practice by getting back to basics.
• You have questions about academic writing, but you’re not sure where to find help.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS CLASS

• “Was a great refresher. Thank you for offering this topic!”
• “Everyone was very engaged, and the instructor made a point to share resources so that people can know where to look for things on their own.”

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Sara Saylor is a writing coach and educator who specializes in supporting doctoral students. She has a PhD in English from the University of Texas at Austin and 14 years of experience teaching and editing academic writing. As a private writing coach and former coordinator of a university-wide doctoral writing support program, Sara has supported hundreds of scholars across disciplines, experience levels, and language backgrounds. Sara’s research-based workshops encourage students to strengthen their independent writing practices through hands-on experience and open communication.