In an effort to empower students with the tools for scholarly success, the AUN Writing Center, in collaboration with the English Department, hosted an interdisciplinary seminar on March 7, 2025, dedicated to refining academic writing and research skills. Held at the 24-Hour Library Space, the event brought together undergraduate and graduate students for an interactive workshop.
Dr. Richard Awoshiri Kamai, Chair of the English Department, shared strategies for improving academic writing across various levels of scholarship with the participants. Emphasizing the importance of ethical and effective communication, Dr. Kamai introduced students to John Swales鈥� Creating a Research Space (C.A.R.S.) model, a foundational framework for writing research article introductions. This approach provided participants with practical tools for understanding the rhetorical structure of academic texts and encouraged them to move beyond formulaic writing to become intentional, reflective scholars.
Participants were guided through the fundamentals of academic inquiry, critical thinking, and scholarly writing. The session on genre analysis was particularly impactful, helping them realize that academic writing involves more than grammar and structure, it鈥檚 about how knowledge is constructed and communicated within disciplines. This foundation prepares students for advanced writing projects such as honors theses, capstone papers, and postgraduate research.
Graduate students, meanwhile, focused on more advanced writing demands. Dr. Kamai discussed how the C.A.R.S. model applies to different sections of research papers, including introductions, methodologies, results, and discussions. Participants explored the nuances of identifying research gaps, articulating contributions, and aligning with disciplinary conventions. Real-world issues such as plagiarism and the misuse of AI tools were also addressed.
In his closing remarks, Professor Adewale James, Director of the Graduate School, commended the collaboration between the Writing Center and the English Department. He noted that initiatives like this help demystify academic writing and reduce the anxiety many students feel around research.
Reported by Udoh Victoria Clement
Serving Corp Member, Marketing and Communications