The University of Calgary - Qatar's Writing Centre and Learning Commons are joining forces to conduct a series of workshops on writing and research.  The pilot project is the brainchild of Chris Thomas, Chief Librarian and Martin Holock, Writing Centre Specialist.  "The writing and research processes are very closely linked," explained Holock.  "Chris and I felt that it would be very beneficial to our students to show them the connections that will make them better at both skills," Holock added.

The nine workshops will focus on three areas: Understanding, Planning and Writing.  They will show the students how to start a project; how to select and develop a thesis, searching effectively and choosing appropriate resources.  The writing workshops will highlight paraphrasing, summarizing and quoting; citing sources and how to revise a draft.   

 "We want to get the students off the ‘Google' habit and show them there are better, more effective and accurate methods of researching.  It's not simple.  It requires a lot of hard work and critical thinking," Holock stated.

If the pilot project is successful, there will be consideration given to making it a part of the curriculum in UCQ's Foundations Program.   

Martin Holock, Writing Centre Specialist and Chris Thomas, Chief Librarian