What is a writing circle Writing circles are

What is a writing circle? Writing circles are groups who meet informally to share, discuss and develop their research-related writing. They provide supportive focal points which help people to pursue their writing goals and develop their academic writing and reading expertise. Writing Circles have been very successful in helping students (and academics) develop their writing skills, productivity and their critical reading skills. To sign up please contact Wendy Morgan at: Doctoral-and-PACE-Training@open. ac. uk putting ‘PACE Writing Circle’ in the subject box and the phase (s) you wish to attend. You may sign up with a group of other students that you wish to work with, or you will be allocated to a group with other students. Who are these writing sessions for? The postgraduate writing circle is for all Open University students pursuing research qualifications, but priority for places will be given to those planning to submit their thesis within the coming 12 months. The Postgraduate Writing Circle is facilitated by Jackie Tuck and Sarah Jane Mukherjee, who have specific interests and backgrounds in academic writing and language, and have recent experience of Ph. D research. How is the Postgraduate Writing Circle organised? The Writing Circle in 2016 -2017 has 9 sessions organised into three ‘writing circle phases’. Each phase has three sessions and the phases have been designed to allow students to attend one, or more than one phase across the course of the academic year. At the beginning of each phase the participants will be allocated to a small group writing circle. Before each session every group member will read short texts from their group and provide feedback. During the sessions the groups will discuss each text and the feedback. Each group member has an opportunity to offer Professional and Academic constructive and supportive feedback from their critical Communication in English (PACE) reading of the different texts, and in addition receive valuable feedback in developing their own individual text. For specific queries about PACE, contact Jackie Tuck jackie. tuck@open. ac. uk If you decide to take part, it will be expected that you plan to attend all three sessions in the phases (s) that you sign up for. Phase 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 Date 6 th October 2016 3 rd November 2016 1 st December 2016 12 th January 2017 2 nd February 2017 2 nd March 2017 30 th March 2017 4 th May 2017 8 th June 2017 Venue and time for all sessions: Milton Keynes OU Campus, in the Research Meeting Room (2 nd floor), The Library 10. 30 -12. 30 For general queries, contact Wendy Morgan at: Doctoral-and-PACE-Training@open. ac. uk The Postgraduate Writing Circle