Writing experts from the Walden University Writing Center talk all things academic writing. Tune in for writing tips, advice, instruction, interviews, and more!

More Episodes

WriteCast: A Casual Conversation for Serious Writers

Have you heard of the literature review matrix? It's a tool you'll want to know about if you're working on, or going to be working on, any major research and writing project. If you are familiar with the matrix but aren't yet sure how to use it or haven't found it helpful, then this episode is for you, too. Brittany shares why she loves the matrix as a researching, writing, and teaching tool, and Beth explains why she was hesitant about the matrix at first but how students can tailor it to meet their own research needs.

Resources mentioned in this episode: The Literature Review Matrix (PDF and Word versions): http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/assignments/literaturereview/organization

The Literature Review Matrix: What It Is, How to Use It, and How to Make It Work For You (Ep. 38)

Brittany makes an announcement, shares her experience with positive affirmations, and talks with Beth about how students can use affirmations to create an uplifting, supportive mindset about their writing process and progress. After listening, check out Part 2 (episode 40) for writing affirmations that you can use to increase your writing positivity.

Positive Writing Affirmations, Part 1 (Episode 39)

Listen to and repeat these positive writing affirmations to create an uplifting mindset as you write. You can play this episode as often as you'd like!

We recommend first listening to Positive Affirmations, Part 1 (Episode 39), in which Brittany explains how academic writers can use affirmations.

Positive Writing Affirmations, Part 2 (Episode 40)

Meet Kacy Walz, PhD student and Walden University Writing Center writing instructor! Beth and Kacy talk about Kacy's approach to reviewing student papers, the best writing advice she has received, and a writing resource she loves to recommend to students.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Writing Center paper reviews for Walden students: http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/paperreviews
- Walden Writing Center Blog: http://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com

We’d love to hear what you think about the Meet Your Reviewer format of this episode. Would you like to hear more Meet Your Reviewer episodes with different writing instructors, or do you prefer our other episode formats? Let us know by leaving a comment, sharing with us on social media, or writing to us at writingsupport@waldenu.edu.

Meet Your Reviewer: Kacy Walz's Review Approach, Writing Advice, and Recommended Resource (Ep 41)

You don't have to be a creative writer to use these tips! Join writing instructors Max and Claire for a discussion of creative writing strategies--such as knowing where you're going and how you're going to get there, writing exploratory drafts, anticipating audience response, getting a secondary reader, and understanding deconstruction--that you can use to strengthen your academic writing.

Blog posts mentioned in this episode: 
Narrative Writing: Scholarly Narrative Overview: http://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/2017/07/narrative-writing-scholarly-narrative.html

Narrative Writing: Include Relevant Details to Guide Your Reader's Focus: http://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/2017/07/narrative-writing-include-relevant.html

Using Creative Writing Strategies in Academic Writing (Episode 42)

You may know about outlining as a pre-writing strategy, but have you heard about reverse outlining? A reverse outline is a great tool to use once you have written a draft. Claire and Max explain what a reverse outline looks like, how to create one, and how it can help you strengthen your writing.

How and Why to Revise With a Reverse Outline (Episode 43)

Beth makes a special announcement, and Max and Claire talk with Jeannie Croichy, Walden University EdD student and Writing Center writing instructor, about her first Walden student residency experience.

Jeannie's First Residency (Jeannie Croichy, EdD Student; Episode 44)

Many people will have to work collaboratively at some point in their education or careers, and writing a group paper or working on a group assignment can be challenging. In this rebroadcasted episode, Nik and Brittany share their top 10 tips for successfully writing a group paper.

Resources:
Collaborative Assignments: http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/undergraduate/assignments/collaborative#s-lg-box-2803903

Top 10 Tips for Group Papers (Rebroadcast; Episode 48)

Meet Katherine, one of the Walden Writing Center's newest writing instructors! Max and Claire talk with Katherine, who is also a Walden PhD student, about her writing background, review approach, and advice for student writers.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Recorded webinar: "Developing a Paper: Creating a Paper From a Discussion Post"(http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/c.php?g=465763&p=4226225)
- WriteCast episode #37: "Transitioning to Master’s-Level Writing” 
 (http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/multimedia/podcast#s-lg-box-2814414)

Meet Your Reviewer: Katherine McKinney, Writing Instructor and PhD Student (Episode 45)

Resolutions to Reflect and Revise (Episode 47)

This month, Max and Claire talk with Walden University Writing Center Director Brian Timmerman and Associate Director of Faculty Outreach and Support Amber Cook about Walden's new Gender-Neutral Pronouns Policy and Identity-First Language Policy. Brian and Amber discuss the policies, why they were created, and what they mean for student writers.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Walden University's Gender-Neutral Pronouns Policy and People-First and Identity-First Language Policy: 
http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/scholarlyvoice/avoidingbias#s-lg-box-16506033
- "Inclusive Language Policy Announcement" blog post: 
https://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/2017/10/inclusive-language-policy-announcement.html

Inclusive Language: Gender-Neutral Pronouns and Identity-First Language (Episode 46)

Meet Cheryl Read, one of the Writing Center's newest writing instructors. Cheryl, who is also pursuing her PhD, shares her writing tips and advice for other students who are working on writing projects.

Meet Your Reviewer: A Conversation with Cheryl Read, Writing Instructor and PhD Student (Episode 49)

WriteCast's 50th episode airs this weekend! 

Two brief announcements: 
First, WriteCast is moving! Find new episodes and transcripts on our podcast page (https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/multimedia/podcast) and on your favorite podcast app.

Second, we want your input to help make the podcast as useful for you as it can be. Share your feedback--including your questions and topic ideas--with us at writingsupport@waldenu.edu. 

Thank you for helping us reach 50 episodes, listeners!

A Quick Announcement and Request

Max and Claire from the Walden University Writing Center chat about all things academic writing. Special guests include students, faculty, and Writing Center editors.