Writing Accountability Program

Do you want (or need) to get more writing done? Did you know that writers who write regularly (rather than waiting to feel inspired) and share their progress with someone else produced three times as much text and reported enjoying writing more?    

Because many graduate students would benefit from more structure and encouragement as they work through a large project (like a dissertation or master’s thesis)—we invite you to participate in the Writing Accountability Partners (or WrAP) Program.   Facilitated by the Ott Memorial Writing Center, the WrAP Program offers focused accountability for a limited number of graduate student writers.      

We’re not here to tell you exactly what your process should be and we’re not here to make you feel guilty.  We’re here to (i) provide some low-stakes external accountability; (ii) cheerlead you and your project; (iii) help you brainstorm ways of setting goals and protecting your time to help you make the progress you want and need to make.    

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What is a Writing Accountability Partner (WrAP)?    

A specially trained peer writing tutor who will ask you to set goals for your semester, help you to break those goals into achievable practices and weekly commitments, and offer accountability on a weekly basis.    

What do I get by participating in the WrAP program?    

Our program offers a choice between two levels of participation: Accountability and Accountability Plus.      

  • In the “Accountability” program, writers will meet individually with their Writing Accountability Partners during a 30-minute appointment each week.  Each week, you’ll review the efforts of your previous week, set goals for your coming week, and brainstorm methods for protecting your writing time and meeting your goals.  Your Writing Accountability Partner will learn about your project in general ways, offering encouragement and providing resources along the way.    
  • In the “Accountability Plus” program, writers will meet individually with their Writing Accountability Partner during a 60-minute appointment each week.  In addition to all of the planning and accountability described in the Accountability program, Accountability Plus writers can receive feedback on their drafts from their WrAP Partner.    

What kind of commitment is required?    

  • We ask that you commit to meeting once a week for the full semester—even during weeks when you are disappointed with your weekly progress.  The goal is to enhance your writing schedule and productivity, through good and bad times.  (Of course, we understand you may have conflicts and can work around those; just don’t cancel at the last minute because you’re disappointed with your progress.)    
  • We ask that you keep a very simple log of time spent writing during the week.  We’ll provide a template.  Why?  Research conducted by Robert Boice shows that writers who write regularly, keep a log of time spent, and share that log with others dramatically increase their productivity.   

When and where?    

We can meet you either in-person or online (via a Zoom-like interface provided by the Ott’s WCOnline scheduling software).     

You’ll meet at the same time each week (or every other week).  You’ll be matched with a trained peer writing tutor available during one of several windows of time you tell us work for you.  We will work the following hours this fall: 

  • Mondays -Thursdays 8am – 9pm
  • Fridays 8am – 4pm
  • Sundays 12pm-9pm  

How do I sign up?

To sign up, click this link to complete the registration form; priority will be given to applications received by September 16 and will be processed on a rolling basis after that. Send any questions or concerns to writingcenter@marquette.edu.