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INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL WRITING
The Institute for Academic and Professional Writing (IAPW) (formerly, the Academic Writing Institute) was created in 2009 in response to UB student and faculty requests for noncredit writing courses that would meet the needs of students in graduate and professional studies programs. Initially offering three courses, in 2009, in 2010, IAPW expanded its portfolio to include seven additional courses, an online editing service, and a consulting service. In 2011, IAPW added contract services for customized courses designed to serve the University's academic departments. It also included onsite workshops for organizations and businesses, and online courses and services for individuals and colleges outside the UB community.
IAPW offers the following courses and services: Writing a Research Paper, Dissertation, Thesis, and Scholarly Publication; Writing a Literature Review; Academic Writing; Revising and Editing Your Own Writing; Public Speaking and Oral Presentation; Writing for Nonnative Speakers of English; Technical Writing; Grant Writing; Polishing Your Grant Proposal; Interviewing: Writing and Speaking Skills; online editing; and one-on-one tutoring.
COURSES
Writing a Research Paper, Dissertation, Thesis, and Scholarly Publication
Using scholarly publications as models, participants analyze and discuss common components of a research paper: abstract; introduction (background, gap, problem, question, purpose, significance, and thesis); discussion and implications; results; conclusion; academic voice; and documentation. (offered on-site and online) (5 weeks)
Dates:
Winter: Tues. & Thurs., Jan 3, 5, 10 & 12
Spring: Wed., Feb 22 - March 21 (no class March 14)
Spring: Mon., April 2 - April 30
Writing a Literature Review
Participants complete a critical analysis of scholarly articles in a chosen topic of interest; synthesize results of the studies; summarize the known and the unknown; identify areas of controversy; and formulate questions for further research. During the last phase of the course, participants develop a literature review that includes an introduction, a body, and a conclusion; transitional statements; clear and concise writing; and documentation. Correct use of grammar, sentence structure, word usage, and mechanics is also addressed. (offered on-site and online) (5 weeks)
Dates:
Spring: Wed., Jan. 18 - Feb 15
Spring: Tues., March 6 - April 10 (no class March 13)
Academic Writing
Emphasis is on overcoming writers' block; applying the writing process of prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing; organizing an introduction, a body, and a conclusion; constructing a thesis statement, main ideas, and supporting details; structuring sentences; and applying appropriate use of grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and word choice. (offered on-site and online) (5 weeks)
Dates:
Winter: Tues.& Thurs. Jan. 3, 5, 10, 12
Spring: Mon., Jan. 23 - Feb. 20
Spring: Wed., March 7 - April 11 (no class March 14)
Revising and Editing Your Writing
Participants learn how to improve their writing by revising and editing their own papers.They learn how to review their papers for organization, paragraph development, transitional statements, sentence structure, clear and concise language, grammar, word usage, punctuation, and mechanics. Although not required, participants are encouraged to bring their current writing assignments to class. (on-site and online) (5 weeks)
Dates:
Spring: Mon., April 2 - April 30
Public Speaking and Oral Presentation
Participants learn and practice essential skills of public speaking and oral presentation: organization, outline design, speech delivery, Power-Point presentation, body language, enunciation, voice projection, and anxiety reduction. (onsite) (5 weeks)
Dates:
Spring: Thurs., March 8 - April 5 (no class March 15)
Writing for Nonnative Speakers of English
This course addresses writing challenges common to nonnative speakers of English: verbs, sentence structure, articles and types of nouns, adjectives, preposition and idiomatic expressions, and word usage. (participants are encourage to bring their current writing assignments to class. (on-site and online) (5 weeks)
Dates:
Winter: Mon.& Wed. Jan. 2, 4, 9,11
Spring: Thurs., Jan. 19 - Feb. 16
Spring: Mon., March 5 - April 9 (no class March 12)
Technical Writing
Emphasis is on the three C's of technical writing: clear, concise, complete. Participating writers learn how to explain difficult concepts; decode wordy, ambiguous prose; and integrate correct use of punctuation, syntax, and style.
Dates:
Spring: Tues. April 3 - May 2
Grant Writing
This course presents an overview and explanation of basic components of a grant proposal: emphasis is on either academics, businesses, or organizations.
Customized dates and classes can be arranged at a convenient location for businesses and organizations. Call 716-829-3387 for more information.
Dates:
Spring: Tues., Jan. 17 - Feb. 14 (academic grant writing)
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Polishing Your Grant Proposal
Emphasis is the narrative portion of the proposal: organizing writing; writing persuasively, clearly, concisely, and completely; transitioning smoothly from paragraph to paragraph; and editing for sentence structure, grammar, word usage, spelling, and mechanics.
Customized dates and classes can be arranged at a convenient location for businesses and organizations (call 716-829-3387).
Dates:
Spring: Tues., Feb. 21 - March 27 (academic writing)
Interviewing: Writing and Speaking Skills
Participants learn how to communicate clearly and succinctly during an interview and how to write effective resumes, cover letters, CV's, personal statements, and internship essays.
Customized classes, dates, and locations can be arranged for businesses and organizations (call 716-829-3387).
Dates:
Spring: Thurs., April 5 - May 3 (academic classes)
SERVICES
Professional Online Editing Service
Theses, dissertations, grant proposals, technical documents, resumes, CV's, cover letters, personal statements, internship essays, and other types of academic and professional writing.
Fee: $45 hr. (call for estimates of cost: 716.829.3387)
One-On-One Consulting
The participant and consultant create an individualized plan customized to meet the specific writing and or speaking needs of the participant. Most of the above courses are also available on a consulting basis.
Fee: $35 hr. (1 to 5 hrs.); $30 hr. (pkg. of 6 hrs.)
Customized Training The institute offers customized training to suit the writing and speaking needs of employees and employers of businesses, organizations, and government agencies.
College and University Partnership The institute encourages colleges and universities to contact its office to discuss partnerships and to customize courses for credit and noncredit.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For answers to questions or to register for consulting and editing services, please contact:
Patricia Mull, Director, Institute for Academic and Professional Writing
Email: pamull@buffalo.edu
Telephone: 716.829.3387
