International Writing Lab

I want to improve my academic writing. Should I rather visit a workshop or the writing consultation?

You could do either - or both. Our workshops are especially suitable for you, if you want to learn about academic writing, the writing process or different kinds of text in general. Make sure the workshop title and description match your interests because each workshop deals with particular key aspects. If you are currently working or about to start working on a writing project, you might prefer scheduling a writing consultation to address your specific objectives and questions.

If you are currently working or about to start working on a writing project, you might prefer scheduling a writing consultation to address your specific objectives and questions.

Can the Writing Lab provide me with information on citation styles and formal requirements for my term paper or thesis?

During a writing consultation, we can talk about general requirements for academic texts, including e.g. how to reference source material. Since we are an interdisciplinary institution and aren't familiar with the standards held by different university lecturers, we would ask you to contact them or your institute directly for specific conventions.

Can I consult the Writing Lab about methodical questions, e.g. about collecting and analysing data?

The Writing Lab is responsible for all questions related to writing. That includes questions about representing empirical findings in the text. However, we cannot provide advice on empirical methods. For this purpose, please contact your supervisor or, if you are studying at the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Methods Centre for Social Sciences.

Can doctoral students use the services of the Writing Lab as well?

Due to the financing structure of the Writing Lab, our offer is primarily aimed at students. However, if there are free capacities, you can also use our offers as a doctoral student on request.

As a doctoral student at the GSGG or GGG, you can also take part in the writing workshops of the graduate schools. Foreign doctoral candidates can apply to the GSGG for individual writing advice at the International Writing Lab. More information...

What actually happens in a writing consultation?

During writing consultations, we support you through one-on-one discussions in your writing process when writing academic texts. As the author, you remain responsible for your text. You can read more about our writing consultations here

Can someone in the Writing Lab proofread my text?

Proof-reading is not part of the Writings Lab’s offers. During writing consultations, you will receive constructive feedback on individual text samples. If necessary, we also go into the linguistic level. You should then be able to use the information received during feedback in your texts. You can read more about our writing consultations here.

How do I register for a writing consultation?

The best thing to do is to simply write an e-mail directed at schreiblabor@uni-goettingen.de

Please briefly describe your request in your e-mail and state the subject of study in which you are writing and the type of text (e.g. term paper, essay, protocol, master’s thesis). One of our writing consultants will then contact you with a suggestion for an appointment. You can also just come by during our office hours and present your request here, e.g. for short questions or to find out more about what the Writing Lab has to offer. Then, we can arrange further individual appointments if necessary. You do not need to register for the office hours.

How soon can I get an appointment for a writing consultation?

The waiting times depend on how many inquiries are coming and thus differ from time to time. Of course, we try to make appointments as quickly as possible. However, please expect a waiting time of at least one week.

From the winter semester 20/21 on, there may be longer waiting times because financial resources are shortened and therefore fewer consultants are available.

If possible, we also offer open consultation hours during the lecture-free period. If the consultation hour is canceled, you will find a note on our homepage. Individual writing consultations can also be arranged during the semester break. Here, however, you may have to expect a little more waiting time due to vacation times.

Do I have to pay for the writing consultation?

No, writing consultations are free of charge for students at the University of Göttingen

How long does a writing consultation last?

Writing consultations last an average of 45 minutes, but no more than one hour.

How often can I arrange writing consultations?

Basically, you can make as many appointments as you want, but only one appointment per week. Please also note that we do not read entire theses.

How many pages of text can I discuss during a writing consultation?

Depending on the capacity and the status of the text, we can discuss about 3 to 7 pages of text in one session.

Is it worth coming to the writing consultation if I haven't written anything yet?

It is even advisable to arrange consultations early in the writing process. You do not need to have written any text for this. In many cases, it is worthwhile to talk about finding and narrowing down topics and discussing a suitable question during the writing consultation.

I am not studying at the University of Göttingen, but I have no comparable offer at my university. Can I also make use of the writing consultation?

Due to the loss of financial resources, there are only a few Writing Lab consultants left. Therefore, we can unfortunately no longer offer consultations to students from outside the University of Göttingen.

Who can participate in the Writing Lab workshops?

The ISL workshops are for free and open to all students at the University of Göttingen.

In the MultiConText workshops and in the academic writing partnerships, the teaching languages are German and/or English. In the other workshops, the language of instruction is German (language level at least B2).

How can I register for a workshop?

Please register via StudIP. If you want to take an exam, you must also register in Flexnow.

Important: In Flexnow you have to register for workshops in the winter semester between October 1st and March 31st, for the summer semester between April 1st and September 30th.

I cannot register in Flexnow for a workshop that I attended at the Writing Lab. Who can help me?

If you have difficulties registering in Flexnow, please contact the Examinations Office of the Faculty of Humanities.

Can I get credits for the workshops at the Writing Lab?

You can earn credits in the key competencies study section for almost all ISL workshops if your faculty or your degree programme allows it. Please ask your faculty's examination office whether you can have the workshops credited.

Please note that credits for our workshops are currently not accepted from the Faculty of Business and Economics.

What kind of exam do I have to take in the workshops?

You must attend regularly and submit a portfolio. During the workshop, the course instructor explains what the portfolio should contain.

Does the International Writing Lab offer workshops on academic writing in English?

The ISL focuses on writing in multilingual contexts. This means: In our courses we address for example how you deal with writing in a language different from the one in which you are reading texts or are taking notes. This applies in particular to our MultiConText programme. This also means: In general, attending our courses makes sense, regardless of whether you are writing in German, English or another language. Our courses are not language courses, instead the focus is on writing. Courses where e.g. the English language is the main focus can be found at the Central Institution for Languages and Key Qualifications (ZESS).

Are the Writing Lab courses offered every semester?

We try to offer the courses every semester. Whether that works depends primarily on the financing.

Are there special courses for non-native speakers of German?

No, we do not offer courses that are specifically aimed only at non-native speakers or native speakers. The concept of the International Writing Lab provides that first-, second- and foreign-language students learn with each other and from each other in our courses.

In which language are the MultiConText workshops taught?

In the MultiConText workshops, the teaching languages are German and/or English. Depending on which language skills the participants have, both languages are used as the main working languages or one of them. All other languages that the participants bring with them can and should be included in the workshops. The working materials for the workshops are always in German and English, so that each participant can choose which language version he or she would like to work with.

In which language is the module examination for the MultiConText workshops taken?

The module examination (usually a portfolio, see module directory) can be taken in German or English, in consultation with the workshop instructor also in other languages. The portfolio tasks are given in both German and English.

In which language do the individual writing consultations take place in the context of MultiConText?

The writing consultations take place in German, English or in other languages. If you would like to use a language other than German or English in the consultation, please ask via email.

We can talk about your writing process and your text in individual writing consultations, regardless of the language in which you have to submit your text.

Who can take part in the MultiConText workshops and the writing consultations as part of MultiConText programme?

The MultiConText programme is aimed at multilingual students from all faculties. For example, if you study in a foreign language in whole or in part, use literature in different languages for your academic texts or bring several languages with you based on your biography, the MultiConText offer may be of interest to you.