Thesis Writing Circle

Objectives
The Thesis Writing Circles Program aims to address some of the thesis-writing challenges experienced by research postgraduate students. In doing this, the program aims to provide:

• a structured forum for students to meet regularly to discuss their work and develop their understanding of the issues and tasks involved in thesis-writing
• a supportive peer-centred environment where students can explore strategies for developing writing and text-analysis skills
• opportunities for students to review each others’ writing and receive constructive feedback from peers
• opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds – local and international - to interact and form collegial relationships
• advice on elements of discipline-based academic style and writing conventions

The proposal to facilitate Thesis Writing Circles in Economics and Commerce is based on the successful implementation of this model in the Faculty of Education and Architecture, Building and Planning. The program is appropriate for both native-English speakers and English as a Second Language (ESL) students.

Program outline
Facilitated by a TLU lecturer, the program includes regular meetings that involve discussion and instruction on a pre-negotiated topic, as well as analysis and peer-review of students’ writing.
Some possible topics include:

• Evaluating and using sources in writing
• Structuring a literature review
• Demonstrating critical analysis in writing
• Avoiding plagiarism
• Presenting empirical results
• Signposting –e.g. introducing each chapter
• Paragraph-level coherence and cohesion
• Academic writing style and clarity
• Editing – macro and micro strategies

Program details
The proposed program will run for 8 weeks with each thesis writing circle meeting weekly for 1½ or 2-hour workshops. Alternatively, the participants may prefer to meet fortnightly for 16 weeks.
Each thesis writing ‘Circle’ will be limited to 12 students, possibly from the same department. This will enable negotiation of the program content as well as some individualized feedback from the TLU lecturer.

Resources required
The Thesis writing circles would be facilitated by a TLU lecturer who will provide a broad structure for discussion as well as advice on features of academic writing.