The Writing Institute helps individuals to write effectively in the English Language for a variety of purposes, audiences and contexts. The Institute focuses on two groups of individuals (1) students and (2) academics. Services are tailored to the needs of the individuals, whether they are native English speakers or individuals writing in English as a Second Language.
Students learn skills to equip them to write research proposals, their capstone papers, independent study papers, theses and other assignments, while academics receive the relevant coaching to help them write research proposals, grant applications, journal articles, book chapters, monographs and prepare manuscripts for academic publications.
The Institute also provides editorial services for proofreading and copy editing of all types of academic documents for submission to universities and publishers. Our editors have tertiary qualifications and extensive editorial experience. We welcome drop-in consultations at the Asia Centre to discuss writing assignments as well as have written work proofread and edited.
Writing Clinics
1) For Students
This is an intensive course which aims to develop and expand the academic writing skills required to produce articles, reports and dissertations in English. The course will review the fundamentals of grammar and vocabulary and will teach students to organise their ideas in language that is effective and appropriate for academic work. Students will also sharpen their skills in structuring information and linking ideas into a coherent flowing piece. Attention will be paid to developing the skills needed to write a thesis; including crafting a thesis statement, critical reading of academic articles, research and summary skills as well as citing sources.
2) For Academics
This is a special coaching clinic for academics who are looking to improve the quality, persuasiveness and originality of their academic writing. Participants will receive coaching in with greater clarity and purpose as well as in editing and critically reviewing their work, with a view to publication. It is suitable for academics and graduate students who are producing articles for journals, research papers for conferences as well as contributing content to books and other publications. The coaching clinic will also tackle the skills needed to edit collected works and special issues of journals. Participants will also receive coaching on how to deal with publishers as well as the pre-publication processes of copy editing, proofreading and proper referencing.
Editorial Services
1) For Students
The Writing Institute provides proofreading and editing services to students for a wide range of writing assignments including motivation letters, statements of purpose, essays, capstone papers, independent studies, theses, and as well as abstracts and papers for conferences. The Writing Institute works closely with the student to ensure the final document reflects a high level of proficiency in the English language, is consistent with academic conventions, employs effective tone and voice and is structured in a cogent manner. Students will also be able to drop in for one on one consultations with an assigned editor who can provide coaching throughout the writing process.
2) For Academics
The Institute provides a range of supporting services for academics to prepare their work for publication as well as enhance the overall quality of their academic writing. Editorial services such as copyediting and proofreading are provided for research proposals, grant applications, journal articles, book chapters, monographs and manuscripts intended for academic publication. Our editors are well equipped to assist academics who are native English speakers as well as those for whom English is a Second Language.
Research Methodology Workshops
To achieve good results, academic writing needs to be grounded in sound research methodology. The research methodology clinic outlines the fundamentals of doing research from designing a research project to data collection and analysis. The workshops are ideal for postgraduates embarking on their Masters and Doctoral theses who are looking for coaching as they develop their research ideas. For academics, the workshops serve firstly as a refresher and secondly as an opportunity to design and execute an advanced research project with the objective of submitting an academic publication.
Educational Consultancy
The Writing Institute provides consultancy services to educational institutions on academic matters. We advise on strategic planning, internalisation, inter-institution memorandums, development of international curriculum, staff capacity training, student exchanges, internships, short courses, summer camps, accreditation and quality assurance issues. We undertake external curriculum and programme reviews and can serve as external examiners and participate in review committees including compiling and preparing quality assurance reports.