【ELC- EWCC】Words Shape World Guest Talk Series #2 “Grab Your Reader” & #3 “13 First Draft Mistakes and How to Fix Them”
人文學院英語中心：英文寫作及英語諮詢中心講座系列 #2"Grab Your Reader" 及 #3 "13 First Draft Mistakes and How to Fix Them"
Dear students,
Are midterms making you feel stressed? Do you want to improve your writing?
The ELC- Writing Centre (EWCC) is here to support you this Fall 2024! We are thrilled to offer an exclusive opportunity to learn from three distinguished authors, each with impressive published works.
Join our Words Shape World Guest Talk Series (Writing Month) to advance your writing skill for different genres! These talks will explore self-discovery, memoir and fiction writing, and provide practical first draft tips for aspiring writers. To add to this experience, students can join the follow-up competitions to apply their newfound knowledge to writing immediately from 14 to 30 October 2024.
Be inspired to be a writer, who masters various genres!
Guest Talk Series Schedule:
| Guest Talk 1 (COMPLETED) | Guest Talk 2 | Guest Talk 3 | |
| Speaker | Ms. Sonia Leung | Ms. Elizabeth Topp | Dr. Tamara Girardi |
| Theme | Self-Discovery: The Use of Binary Voices | Grab Your Reader | 13 First Draft Mistakes and How to Fix Them |
| Date & Time | October 14 (Mon), 13:00-14:30 | October 22 (Tue), 19:00-20:30 | October 24 (Thur), 19:30-21:00 |
| Venue | E3-G034 | Zoom | Zoom |
Guest Talk Series Distinctive Features:
- Insights and feedbacks from three accomplished writers
- Writing techniques of memoir, fiction, children’s literature
- Navigating the writing process from idea to manuscript
- Engaging in three interactive and practical workshops
- Opportunities to draft different genres of texts
- Three follow-up competitions with the Starbucks Gift Cards for all winners
- Awarding a certificate of completion from the ELC upon full attendance
- Smart points, CS points, snacks
Seats are limited. If you are interested in participating in our guest talk series, we would encourage you to Sign up first and join Memoir Writing Wechat Hub:
For further enquiries, contact us at fah_elc_ells@um.edu.mo.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the events!
Best wishes,
Writing and Communication Centre
English Language Centre
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
The University of Macau
Guest talk #2 “Grab Your Reader”
What makes the opening of a book so gripping that you can’t put down? Join us for an engaging guest talk on “Grab Your Reader” and explore the secrets of crafting a catchy beginning in your writing. This session is perfect for any writers ready to elevate their work.
EWCC is delighted to have Ms. Liz Topp from New York. She is a famous published writer, and her books won #1 Amazon bestseller in literary fiction and received high ratings from readers. Together, you’ll explore the writing advice from famous authors, and appreciate the openings of literary classics.
If you are eager to discover the secrets of successful revision, and explore your inner creative world through a different writing genre, this talk will equip you with the tools to refine your narrative and polish your storytelling.
This opportunity is ideal to enhance your writing skills and transform your thinking process in writing. If you are interested, join us for an engaging and informative session that promises to improve your writing craft.
Reserve your spot now by signing up in the following link:
https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2rSeO2SJZamYCwe
Description of the talk:
Every year there are more and more novels competing for your attention. What makes the opening of a book so sticky you cannot stop reading? In this workshop, we will look at the first sentences of some of the most famous novels of all time. We will consider the advice of two great American writers, Stephen King and Anne Lamott. And we will examine what you, the student, think makes for instantly engaging storytelling. Please bring the first sentence of YOUR favorite work of fiction to share.
- Date: 22 October 2024 (Tue)
- Time: 19:00 – 20:30
- Venue: Zoom
- Level(s): Students with all levels of English proficiency are welcome to participate
Guest talk #3 “13 First Draft Mistakes and How to Fix Them”
Are you curious about transforming your draft into a polished masterpiece? You are invited to attend our insightful guest talk on “13 First Draft Mistakes and How to Fix Them”, where you will explore common pitfalls like info dumps and weak structure with expert guidance. This session is perfect for writers ready to elevate their work.
EWCC is delighted to have invited Dr. Tamara Girardi, an award-winning writer and Associate Professor of English from Pennsylvania. Dr. Girardi will share her expertise in practical writing skills, offering invaluable insights.
If you would like to discover the secrets to successful revision with practical techniques from our experienced presenter and learn how to fully develop your novel’s theme, improve pacing, and enrich your protagonist’s inner journey, this talk will equip you with the tools needed to refine your draft into a compelling narrative.
This opportunity is ideal to enhance your writing skills and transform your writing process and achieve your creative goals. If you are interested, join us for an engaging and informative session that promises to improve your writing craft.
Reserve your spot now by signing up at the following link:
https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2rSeO2SJZamYCwe
Description of the talk:
As they should, writers celebrate that first draft, but then the hard part comes – revision. To revise successfully, writers must identify the key issues plaguing that first draft and be able to address them with appropriate tools and tricks. This session will identify thirteen of the most common first draft mistakes such as info dumps, not fully developing the theme or concept of the novel, weak structure, slow pacing, neglecting the protagonist’s inner journey and more. Additionally, the presenter will share specific techniques for how to remedy each of these challenges in that pesky first draft.
- Date: 24 October 2024
- Time: 19:30 – 21:00
- Venue: Zoom
- Level(s): Students with all levels of English proficiency are welcome to participate
