The University of Waterloo Writing and Communication Centre is a hub of communication and writing practice, support, and research on campus. Writing a paper? Designing a portfolio? Giving a presentation? From brainstorming to revision, understanding your assignment to presenting your work, we are here to support you in any discipline, at any stage of the communication process.
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About the WCC
News
Boost Your Dissertation Writing with Dissertation Boot Camp
Get ready to supercharge your dissertation writing with Dissertation Boot Camp!
New WCC Writing Café Schedule for Spring 2023
Heads-up grad students, postdocs, and faculty! We've made some changes to our Writing Cafés for the spring 2023 term.
Speak Like a Scholar applications are now open!
As a graduate student, it's important to be able to present your research with confidence and engage in scholarly debate. That's where Speak Like a Scholar comes in!
Events
Black, Indigenous, and Racialized Students' Writing Cafe
Write in community — not in isolation.
Learn more about our Writing Groups.
In-person Grad Writing Cafés
Grab a coffee and get writing.
STEM Writers' Grad Studio: Peer Review
Ready to strengthen your STEM writing and learn the “why” and “how” behind effective STEM academic communication?
Register on Portal today!
Blog
My top three writing distractions and how I deal with them
One of my biggest challenges while writing is to do just that. In a society where we move on from one idea to the next rapidly, such as ten-second snapchat stories or brief tweets about our day, it is easy to lose focus on a task. Although there are a variety of things that can distract me from my work, I have narrowed it down to the top three and how I have dealt with them to increase productivity.
Put it in reverse!
Sometimes you have to work backwards to move forward. If you ever find yourself stuck while writing (and unable to make it to the Writing and Communication Centre), creating a reverse outline may be your solution. This strategy entails looking at each of your paragraphs and summarizing the main idea you are trying to portray in 1-2 sentences. Even with an initial outline, your ideas change as you write, so this strategy allows you to take a step back and ensure that your writing flows like Niagara Falls.
5 reasons to visit the Writing and Communication Centre
Writing is a necessary skill no matter your program or academic year. Fortunately, most universities and colleges offer a free resource centre for assistance with improving this skill. If you ever struggle or need a helping hand with academic writing, the Writing and Communication Centre (WCC) is the place to be! If you still aren't convinced, here are five reasons to visit us.