Fall 2026 Series: Research-Based Writing in Any Major
Working on a research paper or project—whether you’re in social sciences, humanities, business, STEM, or the arts? This workshop series is for undergraduates who want practical, low-stress strategies for making research-based writing clearer, stronger, and more original. You’ll learn how to shape a project that matters to you, find and use high-quality sources, and build your own academic voice as you engage with scholarship in your field.
You’ll also learn how the Herbert Writing Center can help you polish your draft, clarify your ideas, and get the kind of feedback that makes your work better (and your writing process easier).
Make Your Project Meaningful
September 15 | 4:00–5:00 pm | LIB 129
Register: tiny.utk.edu/meaningfulproject
Do you have a project that feels right now like “just an assignment”? This workshop helps you find an angle that connects to your interests, values, or goals—so your writing feels less like busy work and more like something you want to work on (and will be proud to submit). Bring one of your assignments; we’ll do some brainstorming and explore strategies for turning big, messy ideas into a focused, manageable, and meaningful project.
Locating and Citing Sources
September 29 | 4:00–5:00 pm | LIB 129
Register: tiny.utk.edu/locate-cite-sources
Not sure where to find good sources—or how to tell if they’re actually reliable? We’ll walk through practical ways to search library databases, find sources that fit your topic, and keep track of what you find. You’ll also get a clear, student-friendly overview of citation basics in common styles (such as APA, Chicago, MLA), so you can cite with confidence and avoid last-minute formatting stress.
How to Read an Academic Article
October 14 | 4:00–5:00 pm | LIB 129
Register: tiny.utk.edu/academic-article
Academic articles can feel dense and time-consuming to read. This workshop shows you how to read them faster and smarter. You’ll learn a simple method for “mapping” an article (what it’s asking, how it answers the question, and why it matters), and you’ll see how different fields structure research differently. Bring one article from your discipline and try the strategy in real time—the perfect prep for stronger source use and later annotated bibliography writing.
Credit for Workshop Attendance
INPG 203 students:
Students enrolled in INPG 203 receive Writing Activity credit for attending 1 workshop. Be sure to take a selfie with the presenter or with the title slide, and upload it when you complete the next Writing Activity assignment. You can also can receive credit for weekly attendance by attending a workshop; start your attendance timer when you sign in.
ENGL 103 or 104 students:
English 103 or 104 students can receive credit for weekly attendance by attending a workshop; start your attendance timer when you sign in. In addition, if you’re in ENGL 103 or 104, you can receive credit for 1 writing consultation by attending 2 workshops. See the course Canvas site for details.
Previous Workshops and Materials
You are welcome to view the following past workshops; we hope you find them helpful!
Email writingcenter@utk.edu with any questions.
Photo credit: Photo by Sascha Bosshard on Unsplash