As part of the Thompson Writing Program, the TWP Writing Studio is dedicated to working with writers both within Duke and the broader Durham community. We facilitate writers' critical and creative thought through collaborative, non-evaluative consultations, workshops, writing groups, and events. In all of our work, we actively seek to support diverse, inclusive writing communities. Our highly educated consultants help at any stage of the writing process – from brainstorming and researching to drafting, revising, and fine-tuning a final draft.
The Writing Studio's Three Types of Resources
One-on-One Student Conferences
The primary way we serve writers is through one-on-one, 45-minute conferences, during which writers converse with a consultant. Students can schedule a conference to discuss any type of writing project, including academic essays, memos, reports, honors theses, creative writing, and personal statements. We welcome writers at any stage of a writing process, from brainstorming and researching to drafting, revising, or polishing a final draft.
At the conclusion of each conference, consultants, often in collaboration with the writer, write a summary describing what occurred during the session. Writers may choose to have this summary sent to their professor. If faculty members find these summaries useful, they are welcome to encourage their students to request the emails are sent.
We encourage faculty to recommend our services to students, but ask that they do not require their students to visit the Studio. Required visits limit the number of appointments available to other students, and runs counter to the voluntary, collaborative spirit of our conferences. Students and other members of the Duke community can easily make appointments online the Writing Studio website.
Customized Classroom Workshops
The Writing Studio also offers regular group workshops on various aspects of the writing process. Faculty are welcome to request in-class workshops and consultants can adapt or create workshops to fit the particular needs of the course. Generally, we prefer that requests for in-class workshops be submitted at least three weeks in advance.
Online Resources
The Resources section offers links to a wide range of online materials related to academic writing, including developing a claim, writing clearly and concisely, working with quotations, and so on. In addition to material that covers the writing process, we offer extensive guides to writing in different disciplines and writing in a range of genres. The site also includes a section devoted to ESL/EFL resources, which addresses everything from ESL-specific grammar and vocabulary concerns to cultural perspectives on plagiarism. Below, you’ll find a list of links to some of our most popular online “handouts.” These resources are not just for students; faculty often draw on these resources when crafting writing assignments and discussing writing in their classes.