ALP Writing Week: improve your academic writing skills

Workshops Writing Week 17 – 21 November 2025

• Monday 17 November: Structure and Substance in Academic Writing 

  Do you find it hard to come up with a clear structure for your text? Do you get feedback from your teacher that the organization of text isn’t clear? In this workshop we will look at how you can create, rethink, or refine a logical structure for your text and how you can make sure that your readers understand where you are going in your writing—and why. Our workshop will provide you with some concrete strategies to work on your organization and structure skills.   

  Language: English
  Time: 13.30-15.00 
  Location: HG-14A37
  Teacher: Abby Gambrel
  Registration: Reserve your spot for this workshop by signing up via alp.sgw@vu.nl

• Tuesday 18 November: The No Stress Writing Process

  Do you often struggle with writing? Do you postpone writing your assignment until just before the deadline? Writing is a complex task which creates a lot of stress for many students. In this workshop you will learn about common causes why people get stuck, and you will learn strategies to get started again and be more effective in your writing. We will practise with various techniques that will help you to produce more text and make writing easier. At the end you'll make a personal action plan for your writing assignments.  We'll give this workshop in English and Dutch, so you can participate regardless of the language of your writing assignments.  

  Language: English and Dutch
  Time: 13.30-15.00 
  Location: HG-05A36
  Teacher: Anna Martonfi 
  Registration: Reserve your spot for this workshop by signing up via alp.sgw@vu.nl

• Wednesday 19 November: Duidelijk schrijven  

  This workshop is Dutch only. Read the description here.

• Thursday 20 November: Writing and AI 

  Since the introduction of ChatGPT, generative AI has transformed how people write. GenAI tools can support academic writing by helping to generate ideas and refine assignment drafts, but there are also challenges. AI-generated content is not always accurate, and its use raises important questions about originality and academic integrity. In this workshop, we explore the role of generative AI in academic writing. How can AI tools like ChatGPT support your writing process? What are the risks and limitations? And how can you ensure responsible and ethical use? 

  Language: English 
  Time: 13.30-15.00  
  Location: HG-11A37
  Teacher: Paul Robertson 
  Registration: Reserve your spot for this workshop by signing up via alp.sgw@vu.nl 

• Friday 21 November: Making a Point with Style  

  Academic writing is supposed to be formal, precise and evidence-based, but also engaging and persuasive. How do you accomplish such writing while still sounding like yourself? In this session we explore the ins and outs of writing style and personal voice. You will learn the different ways you have agency in your writing and test how your writing comes across to others. To do so, we will explore the advantages of both individual and group-based writing practices. 

  Language: English 
  Time: 13.30-15.00  
  Location: HG-12A32
  Teacher: Maarten Klene 
  Registration: Reserve your spot for this workshop by signing up via alp.sgw@vu.nl