Conferences

The Writing Studio offers individual conferences and small-group sessions for law students to provide assistance with course assignments and other writing projects associated with your academic and professional life.

Why should I request a conference?

The purpose of writing is to communicate with our readers; we need to know how our words are read and understood. In a conference, the writing consultant acts as a friendly preview reader who can help you make your writing more concise, clear, engaging, and effective.

In a single conference, the writing consultant can help you achieve a clearer understanding of the requirements and opportunities of a particular writing task and learn what has been communicated by your writing. A series of conferences will reveal individual writing processes so that you can capitalize on what works well for you and can make adjustments for greater efficiency and personal and professional satisfaction.

Conferences typically last an hour, during which time you will discuss a specific project with a writing consultant. The consultant, acting as preview audience, will ask and answer questions and offer suggestions for you to consider. The goal of the conference is to help you move the project toward completion.

When should I request a conference?

You can request a conference at any stage in the development of a writing project: from analyzing the assignment and getting started to developing a draft, revising, and editing. Good writing takes time, so schedule your conference well before any deadline and bring some sample writing: notes, an outline, even a fragment. Remember that you are welcome to return for additional conferences.