Effective argumentation is a core requirement of many writing assignments across the disciplines. Yet students are often unsure how to write a clear and compelling academic argument. It isn’t the same as arguing with your partner or your parents! In this 50-minute session, learn the particular rules governing academic argument as well as tips for developing and defending a solid argument in your written assignments.

You know you are supposed to avoid plagiarism. And you also know that you need to use evidence in your paper to support your arguments. You just aren't entirely sure how to accomplish both things. This is the workshop for you! 

Come learn how to ethically summarize, quote, and paraphrase from your sources. Sure, this workshop will help you to avoid plagiarism, but more importantly, it will also help you to deepen your understanding of your source materials, and demonstrate that understanding in your own writing. 

Learn how to improve the clarity, logic, and flow of your writing.

Chances are, you are doing a lot of reading for your courses. But, did you know that there are different strategies for reading and that different academic tasks call for different kinds of reading? In this 50-minute workshop, we will introduce the 4 levels of reading and discuss the reading strategies that are most efficient and effective for working on research papers, critical analyses, and various kinds of tests.

This workshop will help you start your Reading Break off right, with tips to support you to become a more efficient reader and a more confident writer. 

Learn how to improve your stylistic choices of verbs, nouns, and other parts of speech as you write your assignments.

"Too wordy. Redundant. Be concise." If you've ever received these kinds of comments on your papers--or if you just want to take your style to the next level--this workshop is for you! Learn techniques you can use right away to help you pare your prose and write with greater clarity, succinctness, and power. 

Are you writing the Introduction to thesis, a research paper, or paper for a publication? If so, register for this workshop to learn the Create-a-Research-Space (CARS) model for writing introductions. The workshop focuses on language strategies for reviewing previous research, indicating a gap in previous studies, and outlining the purposes of your research.

Congratulations--you've drafted your paper! What's next? This workshop overviews a technique of revising higher-order concerns, then looking at the finer details of your piece. You'll also learn more about common errors that can trip up even strong writers. 

Your stance or perspective is important in academic writing because it allows you to show your reader not only what you know, but what you think. In this workshop, you will learn language strategies for qualifying or moderating a claim and indicating your stance towards your claims.

In this creative writing workshop, participants will draw a picture of themselves that represents their whole self (body) and then label it with all of the languages/dialects and cultures they know (and are learning or would like to learn about). Then, using the picture as a prop, participants will write a short narrative about their linguistic/cultural identities.  Participants will also be introduced to the Multilingual Student Story Hub on the Student Learning Commons blog, In Common, and be encouraged to publish their stories on the blog.

Do you drift off while reading and don’t retain much? Or do you get distracted easily in lectures? You are spending valuable time on these activities so you might as well increase your effectiveness by adopting strategies described in this workshop. 

Trying to raise your GPA?  Need some inspiration?  Come to this event and listen to other students, some of whom were On Academic Probation or Required to Withdraw, tell their stories of how they successfully raised their grades.  There will be time for questions, including the opportunity for individual discussion after the panel presentation, with refreshments provided.

Are midterms coming up? Or are you disappointed in midterm results and want to improve on your finals? This workshop will teach you which study strategies are shown by research to be the most effective, as well as how to manage your time when writing exams and deal with common types of questions: multiple choice, problem solving, essay and short answer.

To prepare for a paper, presentation or class discussion, you need to strike a good balance between using your sources with academic integrity, and expressing your own perspective based on those sources. Reading strategies, therefore, need to be very different that when you are reading to prepare for a test.  Come to this workshop to learn how to read effectively with this purpose in mind.

Chances are, you are doing a lot of reading for your courses. But, did you know that there are different strategies for reading and that different academic tasks call for different kinds of reading? In this 50-minute workshop, we will introduce the 4 levels of reading and discuss the reading strategies that are most efficient and effective for working on research papers, critical analyses, and various kinds of tests.

This workshop will help you start your Reading Break off right, with tips to support you to become a more efficient reader and a more confident writer. 

Focusing on the period immediately before and during exams, this workshop will touch on preparation and then discuss time management during exams, as well as common types of questions:  multiple choice, problem solving, essay and short answer.

Academic Grammar and Writing for Multilingual Learners is a seminar-style workshop series offered by the Student Learning Commons (SLC) and has been carefully designed to help you succeed as a multilingual learner of English. 

The workshop combines grammar for academic purposes, critical thinking, and academic writing for university. The content focuses on developing an appropriate academic voice to help you express yourself appropriately in academic writing as a member of the SFU academic community.  Students will complete several reading, writing, and grammar tasks, all of which will be used to provide personalized feedback.

Open to undergraduate students only.

The required workbook is Grammar for Academic Purposes by Steve Marshall. Students have the option of purchasing the online version ($23.95) or the book ($36.00 at the bookstore).

Let's Talk! is a weekly workshop that gives students for whom English is an additional language an opportunity outside of class to improve their English conversation skills, learn strategies for academic success, and have fun meeting people.

Participants will develop their conversation and listening skills through a variety of topics, such as stereotypes, slang and idioms, social media, Canadian and global culture, presentation skills, pronunciation, and story-telling.

The Plurilingual Café is a weekly workshop facilitated by volunteer peer educators. The goals are to recognize and celebrate the rich plurality of EAL students' everyday language practices and interactions. Tasks are designed to support student learning by fostering intercultural awareness among the participants, offering opportunities to learn more about each other’s languages and cultures, and by creating spaces for the use of languages other than English as tools for learning.

Learn how to putting primary stress on new information in content words can improve the clarity of your spoken English.

Warm up by the fire pits in Convocation Mall and enjoy some toasted marshmallows, practice your English, meet new people, and celebrate Friday!  Registration required.

Learn how to improve the clarity, logic, and flow of your writing.

Learn how to improve your stylistic choices of verbs, nouns, and other parts of speech as you write your assignments.

Are you writing the Introduction to thesis, a research paper, or paper for a publication? If so, register for this workshop to learn the Create-a-Research-Space (CARS) model for writing introductions. The workshop focuses on language strategies for reviewing previous research, indicating a gap in previous studies, and outlining the purposes of your research.

Your stance or perspective is important in academic writing because it allows you to show your reader not only what you know, but what you think. In this workshop, you will learn language strategies for qualifying or moderating a claim and indicating your stance towards your claims.

In this creative writing workshop, participants will draw a picture of themselves that represents their whole self (body) and then label it with all of the languages/dialects and cultures they know (and are learning or would like to learn about). Then, using the picture as a prop, participants will write a short narrative about their linguistic/cultural identities.  Participants will also be introduced to the Multilingual Student Story Hub on the Student Learning Commons blog, In Common, and be encouraged to publish their stories on the blog.