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Writing And Communication Center: Graduate Students

A guide to the services and resources offered by S&T's Writing & Communication Center

Grad Resources

          Make An ppointment

Schedule an appointment with a Graduate Writing Consultant to ensure that your work is ready to submit to the Graduate Technical Editor.
Visit us in the WCC (Library 201) or online for synchronous or asynchronous visits.

Graduate Writing Consultants

Tammy Korte

Graduate Consultant
Library Specialist, Marketing & Communications

Tammy is a Missouri S&T alumna with a MS in Technical Communication and is a retired U.S. Air Force professional. She brings a strong background in technical writing and marketing, along with extensive experience in leadership and public service. Outside of work, Tammy enjoys life on her mini farm in St. James, where she loves reading, gardening, baking, and spending time with her pets.

Nadia Ahmadi

Graduate Consultant
Graduate Student, English & Technical Communication

Nadia Ahmadi is a Graduate Teaching Assistant and M.S. student in Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing at Missouri University of Science and Technology. As a GTA for the Technical Writing course, she teaches students how to design professional documents using standard features. She mentors students in conducting secondary research for technical and professional writing. Furthermore, she serves as a research grader in Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering. 
  • Face-to-Face Appointments: Meet with a WCC consultant in the Writing & Communication Center (Library 201B) to discuss your project.
  • Synchronous Appointments: Meet with a WCC consultant online via Microsoft Teams to discuss your project.
  • Asynchronous Appointments: One of our WCC consultants will leave as much feedback as they can on your project during a 50-minute review period.

Mina A. Amini, PhD

Dr. Mina Amini, Graduate Technical Editor

Mina Abdolhosseinzadeh Amini, Ph.D.
Publications: see Google Scholar

Dr. Mina Amini is an indispensable resource for graduate students navigating the challenges of academic writing. With a PhD in Education specializing in Curriculum Studies from North-West University, South Africa, Mina brings a wealth of expertise to Missouri S&T’s Writing & Communication Center. Dr. Amini's research focuses on self-directed learning, teachers’ reflection, productive feedback practices, and English as a Foreign Language (EFL). She has also authored two books on self-regulation, showcasing her deep understanding of effective learning strategies. Dr. Amini is dedicated to helping graduate students polish their dissertations, theses, journal articles, and manuscripts. Whether you need structural guidance, stylistic refinement, or precise editing, Dr. Amini is here to ensure your writing meets the highest academic standards.

The Graduate Technical Editor will review 20 pages per submission. You may break your thesis or dissertation into 20-page sections, and you are eligible to submit your next section once you have received feedback on your prior submission. 
Your document will be reviewed for:

  • English usage
  • Grammar and mechanics
  • Sentence structure and word choice
  • Clarity and organization
  • Documentation practices

In order to provide you with the best and most efficient feedback, your submission will first be reviewed by graduate consultants. A consultant may contact you to discuss some revisions before your document is submitted to the Graduate Technical Editor. Once your document is ready to be edited, our graduate team will forward it to the editor, and you should receive feedback in approximately ten business days.

Please note: Technical editing focuses on enhancing the quality of your writing and does not include format checking for theses or dissertations. For details on format checking, visit the Graduate Education Office page or contact your graduate education specialist.

TEMPLATE PROVIDED BY
S&T Thesis and Dissertation Guide S&T Graduate Education
Thesis/Dissertation Specifications (Preparing Your Document) S&T Graduate Education
Formatting Your Thesis/Dissertation S&T Graduate Education
Submitting Your Thesis/Dissertation S&T Graduate Education

Graduate Writing & Speaking Groups

S&T graduate students are invited to join WCC staff and faculty for regular writing and speaking groups.
Follow the links below for more information.

GROUP ENROLL DATES TIME LOCATION
SPEAK Test Practice Drop-in Anytime TBD TBD
Graduate Lounge (Library basement)
Publication Academy
by...
TBD TBD TBD
Thesis & Dissertation Writing Camp
by...
TBD TBD TBD

Prepare for Your Thesis or Dissertation Defense with the WCC!

The Writing & Communication Center (WCC) at Missouri S&T is here to help graduate students succeed in your thesis and dissertation defenses. Our experienced consultants can assist you in organizing your ideas, refining your presentation, and practicing your delivery to ensure clarity and confidence. Whether you need help crafting slides, addressing audience questions, or polishing your communication skills, we provide tailored support to meet your needs.

SESSION LOCATION
RECOMMENDED DATE
Defense Prep: Organizing your Ideas WCC
> 30 days before defense
Defense Prep: Presentation, Q&A Refining Green Screen Room (Library 317)
> 14 days before defense

Schedule a session today to prepare for a defense that showcases your hard work and expertise!

Prepare for the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) with the WCC!

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a competition for graduate students to develop and showcase their research communication skills. 

3MT® challenges students to present a compelling oration on their dissertation and its significance in just three minutes and with one slide, in language appropriate for an educated, non-specialist audience. 3MT competitions are held in over 85 countries by more than 900 universities.

The Writing & Communication Center (WCC) is here to help you shine in the 3MT competition! Our expert consultants can guide you in transforming complex research into a compelling, concise, and accessible presentation. We’ll help you refine your message, engage your audience, and communicate with confidence—all within the tight three-minute timeframe.
Consider scheduling us for one of the following sessions:

SESSION LOCATION
RECOMMENDED DATE
3MT Crafting your Script WCC > 30 days before competition
3MT Perfecting your Slide Green Screen Room (Library 317) > 14 days before competition
3MT Practicing your Delivery Green Screen Room (Library 317) > 1 week before competition

Visit the WCC and take the next step toward 3MT success!

The Writing & Communication Center is not currently accepting applications for graduate tutors. Please check again soon.

Quick Resources

To schedule an appointment with the WCC

  1. Open our WCC Scheduler and choose the category that describes your role at S&T.
  2. Fill out the appointment form to the best of your ability.
  3. Attach any documents you would like us to consider for your session.
  4. Await the confirmation email, and add our visit to your calendar!

 

Generative AI and Writing Assistant Technologies:
An Overview

Generative AI (GAI) and writing assistant technologies have rapidly become notable tools in higher education and industry. These tools, ranging from predictive text algorithms to fully capable AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT, offer plenty of possibilities to enhance creativity, productivity, and learning. This guide outlines key ethical considerations and best practices to encourage responsible use of these technologies. If you are ever unsure about your own GAI use, or if you would like to learn more about these technologies, please schedule an appointment with us.

N.B. The Writing & Communication Center aims to support students within the parameters set by their professors and advisors; therefore, we adhere to the faculty's instructions regarding the use of GAI in course deliverables.

Using generative AI in academic work can blur the line between original and AI-generated content. Understanding when it is appropriate to use AI tools largely depends on understanding the expectations of the reader. Faculty and academic publications usually provide guidelines to prospective writers. If no guidelines exist for the document that you are creating, seek out other examples of GAI in similar documents, and consider whether your use of GAI requires an acknowledgement.

GAI cannot author new content, so all AI-generated content is sourced from pieces (tokens) of existing content. Sometimes those tokens are arranged incorrectly, leading to misattributions or false information. Never use GAI as a source of information. If you should happen upon AI-generated information, use the library and other research resources to verify the information for yourself. If you have generated artwork, video, text or code using AI, you are expected to credit those tools according to the expectations of the genre.

Studies have shown (and it is generally known) that generative AI systems may perpetuate biases present in their training data. You, therefore, are responsible for critically evaluating GAI outputs to identify potential biases before you send them out into the world. This means that you will need to learn about common biases and their effects on others so that you can use AI responsibly to avoid reinforcing stereotypes or inequities.

Some AI tools collect user data to improve performance. It is essential to review privacy policies before using these technologies. Never enter sensitive or proprietary information into AI systems.

Over-reliance on AI may hinder the development of essential writing and critical thinking skills. To ensure that you get the most from your education, use AI as a supplementary tool, not a replacement for your own effort. Focus on learning from AI suggestions to improve your abilities.

Set Clear Objectives: Define your goals before using AI tools to avoid over-reliance or misuse.

Collaborate with AI: Treat AI as a partner in the creative process, leveraging its strengths while applying your critical judgment.

Validate Outputs: Always verify the accuracy, originality, and appropriateness of AI-generated content.

Follow Institutional Guidelines: Adhere to your institution’s policies on AI use in academic or professional contexts.

Stay Informed: Regularly update your knowledge about emerging AI technologies and their implications.