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Writing in the Discipline (WRITE-D): A new approach to graduate student writing success

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Conference

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Publication Date

August 23, 2022

Start Date

June 26, 2022

End Date

June 29, 2022

Conference Session

Graduate Studies Division Technical Session 3

Page Count

18

DOI

10.18260/1-2--40981

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/40981

Download Count

396

Paper Authors

biography

Jessica Daignault

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I am an Assistant Professor in the Civil Engineering Department at Montana Technological University and hold a Professional Engineer license in the State of Michigan. I work part-time as a consultant for OHM Advisors contributing to projects in their Environment and Water Resources Group. I received my PhD from Michigan Technological University with a research focus in interdisciplinary work related to the Food-Energy-Water Nexus. Prior to returning to school I was a Project Engineer with SEH, Inc. in St. Paul, MN as part of the Hydrology, Hydraulics, and Water Resources working groups. I have worked for large companies including AECOM and Rio Tinto Minerals which provided me with a strong foundation in environmental compliance, industry, and mining engineering.

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biography

Audra Morse Michigan Technological University

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Audra Morse, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE is Professor and Chair of the Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering Department at Michigan Technological University.

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Abstract

Writing, regardless of stage in one’s academic career, can be a challenge. For many graduate students, the writing of the dissertation may be the most difficult part of the academic journey. The collection of thoughts, the ability to ground research in appropriate literature, and expressing the topic and research activities so that others reading the work can understand may include abilities and skills a graduate student needs to develop. Writing a dissertation can be a lonely proposition as the graduate student may only receive feedback and support from their advisor. To assist students in reaching their writing goals, the Graduate School at XXXXX University piloted WRITE-D: Writing in the Discipline with graduate students in the Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering Department. The purpose of the WRITE-D program is to provide a dedicated time and space for graduate students to gather within their department to improve writing skills and make progress toward writing goals. Participants are encouraged to set writing goals and plan toward achieving those writing goals. The group provides a social network to work through writing challenges together, with discipline-specific guest speakers providing advice, guidance, and insight. These guest speakers are often faculty members as well as members of industry who can share experience writing within the discipline. The purpose of this paper is to identify the benefits of the guest speakers and content on graduate student writing, examine the impact of dedicated writing time on graduate student writing progress, and explore the impact of WRITE-D on graduate student comradery.

Daignault, J., & Morse, A. (2022, August), Writing in the Discipline (WRITE-D): A new approach to graduate student writing success Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--40981

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