Fundamentals of Academic Writing Summer Bootcamp

Session I: (Jr. Level: Rising 7-9 Graders): August 12-16. 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Session II: (Sr. Level: Rising 10-12 Graders): August 12-16, 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Start the academic year strong with this one-week workshop, which teaches the basic skills for writing an academic essay (prewriting, thesis statements, organization, specificity, paragraph development, research, transitions). Our interactive, workshop-style methodology creates a collaborative, hands-on space for teens to improve their writing. We’ll also teach tricks for navigating the writing process effectively and efficiently, to help with issues such as writers’ block and avoidance. This camp is limited to eight students, so each student gets hands-on attention and plenty of feedback in a nongraded, constructive environment.

This course will

• Teach academic writing skills in a hands-on, supportive environment
• Break down components of good paper writing using visual tools, models and interactive exercises
• Give students plenty of time to write, rewrite and practice
• Demystify the writing process, so students can see how good writing actually happens (i.e. not by a sudden bolt of inspiration)
• Provide practical strategies to overcome common writing blocks, such as perfectionism, lack of ideas, overwhelmed with too many ideas, etc.
• Provide copious, but ungraded feedback to help students build on their strengths.
• Show students how to work with outside sources in a responsible, professional way.
• Teach revision strategies, so students become astute editors of their work.
• Provide a handbook with models, tips and reference tools that students can keep as a writing resource
• Make your student love writing?  Well, maybe at least not hate it…