Royal Literary Fund Fellows

Royal Literary Fund (RLF) Writing Fellows are professional writers who offer individual appointments where students can discuss all aspects of their writing, such as structuring an argument, making the essay clearer and improving style. 

The sessions are up to 50 minutes free, confidential and independent of the university. (although sessions take place at the university) Sessions are available to students at any level in any subject and can help with any aspect of your writing skills to make your academic writing as clear and effective as possible.

Knowledge goes further if it's well-expressed

  • Do you struggle to put your thoughts down on paper?
  • Do you write well but feel there’s room for improvement?
  •  Would you like help approaching the writing process, from taking notes to compiling drafts and preparing your work for submission?

This is not about remedial English or support for non-native speakers. Even the most fluent writers – undergraduate and postgraduate – can benefit from advice on their writing, and an appointment with a Writing Fellow is intended for anyone who wants to put across their ideas and arguments as effectively and persuasively as possible.

Your work will not be marked, or discussed with any members of staff. This is simply an opportunity to get expert help with your writing, be it an essay, dissertation, thesis, or report.


Meet the Literary Fellows

Gill Thompson is available by appointment from week beginning 23rd September 2024 on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Online or face-to-face sessions are available.

To book a session, please email Gillian.Thompson@rlfeducation.org.uk 

Gill's bio on the RLF website

Jim Beckett will be available by appointment from week beginning 23rd September 2024 on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Online or face-to-face sessions are available.

To book a session, please email jim.beckett@rlfeducation.org.uk

Jim's Bio on the RLF website


RLF video introduction from Gill and Jim.

 


What to expect

The Writing Fellows can help you with the following:

  • approaching the essay writing process  - from note-taking to drafting and presenting work
  • identifying patterns of strength and weakness in your writing
  • focusing on strategies for long-term improvement
  • developing more control over your writing
  • providing motivation, inspiration and encouragement.

The Writing Fellows will look at work and offer guidance on

  • making the best use of grammar and punctuation
  • using sentence construction to convey ideas clearly and elegantly
  • developing an engaging and readable writing style
  • structuring a piece of writing to ensure it is clear and coherent.

It is not the Writing Fellows' role to: 

  • act as a proofreading service for students’ work 
  • comment on marks already awarded, the overall quality of the work, or possible outcomes in assessment
  • provide a “quick fix” for work due to be handed in that day! 
  • comment on the subject content of the work.