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A graduate student sits behind a laptop at the Graduate Writing Intensive, her keys on the keyboard, as she smiles.

Graduate Writing

Graduate Writing Resources

Graduate Writing Intensives

Two grad students sit at a table, each looking at their own laptop screens.How much could you get done with  multiple full days of structured writing time? Apply to a Graduate Writing Intensive and find out!

Summer Intensives are happening on

  • June 24 to 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • July 20 and 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Designed to help you make substantial progress in a concentrated period of time, the Graduate Writing Intensive features structured writing time, writing advisors are available to meet with students, and optional discussion sessions. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be available all day for those participating in person.

The Graduate Writing Intensive may be a great fit if you:

  • have completed a substantial amount of your research and need to get a lot of writing done;
  • are looking for a boost to your morale or motivation;
  • would benefit from mutual accountability amongst fellow grad students; or
  • are excited at the prospect of making meaningful progress in a short period of time.

The Graduate Writing Intensive might not be a good fit if you

  • can’t clear your calendar for multiple full days;
  • do not have a substantial writing task on which to focus;
  • have an established writing process that already works well for you; or
  • are satisfied with your progress toward completion.

Register for the June Intensive

Register for the July Intensive

Doctoral students who intend to graduate in 2026 will be given preference, but any grad student who would benefit from dedicated writing time should apply!

Questions? Reach out to our graduate writing specialist at writing@mcmaster.ca.

Expandable List

Learn more about the varied works you may be asked to create during your graduate education in this online module: An Introduction to Graduate-Level Writing. The module Includes self-reflection and skills-based activities.

Watch the module on YouTube

Get support with a trained graduate-level writing advisor through the Writing Centre.

Available to McMaster graduate students in all programs and disciplines, get support with planning, organization, revision, motivation, incorporating feedback, and writing for publication.

You can book appointments through Oscarplus or by emailing writing@mcmaster.ca.

Note: The Writing Centre does not provide editing services, but offers support and strategies to help students improve their scholarly writing skills.

Go to Oscarplus

Enjoy facilitated writing time, support and accountability at a writing circle

Graduate Writing Circles are designed to keep graduate students on track to meet their writing goals. Facilitated by a trained writing advisor, these groups provide participants with tools to support goal-setting, meeting deadlines, and making the writing process as productive and efficient as possible.

During a typical session, students will share successes and challenges in meeting specific writing goals. Students will celebrate wins and troubleshoot obstacles. Some groups will have co-working time built into the sessions.

Graduate Writing Circles for Fall 2025 take place on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Email writing@mcmaster.ca to be added to the Graduate Writing Community group on Teams. From here, you will have access to the in-person location and Zoom link for meetings, as well as any updates or changes made to the schedule.

Visit our updated – and fully accessible – Graduate Thesis Writer’s Toolkit!

A series of resources, tip sheets, and experiences related to organization, technical aspects, and staying well.

 

Learn about the purpose of an abstract and the five potential “moves” an abstract can have.

Learn more

A list of advanced principles to consider when editing your work.

Learn more

To help graduate students who are English learners:

  • on-campus supports
  • external websites and apps
  • articles and downloads

Learn more