The Development Seminar

University-Level Writing

Some students feel unprepared for or frustrated by increased writing expectations in post-secondary education. This seminar layers multiple writing skills into a connected system that supports students through this challenging transition.

Designed For

• Students entering college or university.

• Students in college or university who need clearer writing instruction.

• Students who want to develop post-secondary thinking.

Specific Topics Include

• Advanced thesis writing.

• Two structures to organize paragraphs.

• Evaluating and responding to evidence.

• Two types of synthesis essays.

• Writing counterarguments.

Students Finish With

• A five-page paper completed with guided coaching.

• A strategy for their next long paper.

• Inquiry-based thinking for idea development.

• A Personalized Writing Action Plan for their future writing.

Every Seminar Includes

• Live Instructor Coaching 

  Students receive instructor feedback while writing.

• Small Classes 

  Enrolment is capped at six students for instructor attention. 

• Focused Sessions 

  Precision writing activities are designed to maximize skill development. 

• Focus on Higher-Level Thinking 

  Students apply counterarguments to deepen their thinking.

With Instructor

Sharon Johnsey, PhD candidate, 20 years of writing instruction.