Writing counselling

From the fear of the blank page to text feedback and fine-tuning: in the writing consultation you will receive support and find competent contacts for all your questions about academic writing. We help you to organise your individual writing process in the best possible way.

What is writing counselling?

The writing consultation is a confidential and free service offered by SLUB Dresden and the Writing Centre of TU Dresden. It is primarily aimed at student SLUB users from all Saxon universities (SLUB Dresden) and students of the TU Dresden (Writing Centre of the TUD). In an individual consultation, you have the opportunity to discuss all conceivable questions or problems that may arise in the process of academic writing with a certified writing consultant.

Typical topics of a writing consultation are

  • Dealing with writing problems and writing difficulties,
  • Finding and narrowing down a topic,
  • developing a research question,
  • individual time and resource management (remedies against procrastination),
  • structuring an academic paper,
  • the development of an academic writing style
  • obtaining targeted text feedback*.

Or perhaps you would just like to talk about your current writing project from time to time - we are also happy to take 45-60 minutes for this!

*Please note that writing advice or text feedback does not include corrections of your academic work. However, text feedback focussing on selected text excerpts of approx. three to a maximum of five pages is not a problem. If you are interested in proofreading assistance, please send an e-mail to schreibzentrum@tu-dresden.de.

Book a writing consultation

Please book one of the available dates here. We look forward to hearing from you and answering your questions!

 

TU Dresden students can also book a writing consultation at the TUD Writing Centre > Registration via OPAL

No suitable appointment?

For individual appointments, please contact us by e-mail via schreibberatung@slub-dresden.de or schreibberatung@mailbox.tu-dresden.de. We will then get back to you!

Incidentally, we not only offer writing advice, but also a variety of other events on academic writing and citation.

Counselling in motion

We offer you a special form of individual counselling with our counselling walks. If your thoughts are constantly revolving around your current writing project and at the same time the mountain of unfinished tasks seems too big to make productive progress, then exercise in the fresh air can work wonders. When we walk together, far away from our desks and with a distanced view, we can look for solutions together, recognise what we have already achieved and discuss the next sub-goals. You can find the current dates for our writing counselling walks in our events calendar.

Strategies for stress and time management are discussed during the walk, but there is no writing counselling.

Ifyou would like to meet at a branch library or if the date is inconvenient or fully booked , please contact our consultant directly by e-mail: Marlies.Krause@slub-dresden.de.

Advice at the knowledge bar

The SLUB Knowledge Bar is available free of charge to all our users with a valid SLUBCard or Campuscard. Our experts will work with you to find solutions. It often helps if you organise your thoughts with our contact persons in order to re-initiate the reflection process. We can provide you with personalised advice on a wide range of writing-related topics:

  • Are you looking for suitable literature in our library catalogue?
  • Are you looking for suitable specialised databases for your academic discipline?
  • Do you have questions about correct citation or the reliability of sources?
  • Would you like to work with a reference management programme such as Zotero or Citavi?

Then the Knowledge Bar is the right place for you.

How to arrange a consultation appointment

Simply select your desired subject area from the list of topics in our knowledge bar and book an appointment. Our experts will then sit down with you for around 30 minutes. Consultation is of course possible both on site and by telephone or video conference.

No suitable appointment? No problem! Simply contact the experts for your desired topic via the booking form - we will certainly find an alternative consultation appointment by individual arrangement.

Writing in a team: finding or setting up a writing group

Many students find it helpful if they don't go it alone on their way to a finished academic paper, but instead exchange ideas with others and motivate each other. The SLUB TextLab supports you in joining a writing group or setting one up yourself in order to make better progress with your writing project.

Our offers and information for writing groups at a glance:

  • You can find the registration form and further information on writing groups for students at TU Dresden here. Dates for the moderated kick-off meetings of the writing groups can also be found in our diary.
  • The SZD's starter kit for learning and writing groups offers first aid.
  • Rooms for writing group meetings: The writing room in the TextLab offers a quiet working environment, while the group workstations in the foyer invite up to four people to exchange ideas. Larger writing groups can book our group workrooms T1 and T2. And when the weather is nice, you can write in our garden.
  • Are you not studying at TU Dresden and would like to use the SLUB TextLab rooms for a writing group? Please feel free to contact us!

The SLUB TextLab also has many other facilities that make writing more enjoyable. These include the quiet workspaces with plenty of daylight and the yoga and meditation programme - after all, writing is not just mental work, but also a physical activity.

Please feel free to contact us! Phone: +49 351 4677-490 schreibberatung@slub-dresden.de August-Bebel-Straße 18 01219 Dresden

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