Boot Camps for Dissertation, Senior Thesis, and JP Writers
"any thing can be made, any sentence begun."
Elizabeth Alexander
"Praise Song for the Day"
Boot Camps are designed to offer writers working on extended research projects a quiet space to work, focused thinking and writing time, and the camaraderie of a writers' community.
Framed by opening and closing workshops on the writing process and wrapped up each day with a short debriefing session, boot camps provide a dedicated space and clearly structured time for getting work done. Participants agree to write for designated blocks of time without distractions like checking e-mail or surfing the internet. They generate writing on the spot that they can then get feedback on from advisers and other readers.
In addition to helping writers gain momentum on a project, boot camp sessions and workshops help graduate students and advanced undergraduates develop the effective writing habits that will sustain them throughout the process.
