Dudley Knox Library - Dudley Knox Library
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Go to the NPS Event Scheduler (must be logged into VPN) to reserve spaces across campus.
The reservations site's menu has a My Account menu item. Click that menu and you'll see an option for Notification Preferences. You'll see five options there for getting email notifications for your reservations and those you've joined.
We can help with these and other tech support issues in the library.
GWC/DKL Workshops
Learn how to be a better reader, writer, and citer! Save yourself from hours of scholarly angst! GWC/DKL workshops can help you with everything from how to punctuate a sentence to how to use generative AI.
You must register here for all workshops. Click here for Zoom login information after you've registered. See all available workshops.
April 22-27
Mon Apr 22
1200 DKL 151
To master sentences that are strong means to write with clarity, vigor, and grace. In this workshop, inspired by Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style, a classic grammar how-to, you will be introduced to concepts that seasoned writers take for granted: thesis statements, topic sentences, paragraph structure, active voice, punctuation, and other elements essential to academic papers that are clear, to the point, and bold.
Tue Apr 23
1500, DKL 151
Learn Dr. Zach Shore’s method of reading for argument at the graduate level, tailored to STEM fields. Dr. Shore’s “search and destroy” technique allows you to synthesize an author’s arguments efficiently. This workshop teaches the “search” half—how to quickly extract an author's thesis and structure from an academic article.
Tue Apr 23
1500, Zoom
Get from proposal to final draft! This once-a-week workshop series offers lessons and exercises on thesis-writing essentials, with a new topic each week. Sign up for one or all; check WCOnline for weekly topics beginning April 9.
Wed Apr 24
1200, DKL 151
You’ve all heard what you shouldn’t be doing: don’t violate the Honor Code, don’t plagiarize, don’t forget the rules of academic integrity. This workshop focuses on what to do to avoid these serious problems. We give you the skills to confidently incorporate others’ words, ideas, analyses, models, and images into your writing. You will gain experience summarizing, paraphrasing, and incorporating quotations from source material.
Fri Apr 26
1000 and noon, DKL 151
For those who are already using Zotero for Chicago style citations but have questions. We will go through some of the common issues and talk about how to use the Notes, Tags, and Related functions more effectively. This workshop is hands-on, so bring your laptop! Workshop size is limited; registration at least 24 hours in advance is required. After registering, you will receive an email with installation and setup instructions, which you will need to complete prior to the class.
Fri Apr 26
1400, Zoom
How can various graphics—diagrams, graphs, photographs, tables—clarify a process or illustrate an argument? Learn guidelines for making effective visuals, explaining them in your text, and placing them in the thesis template.
Fri Apr 26
1400, Zoom
Constructing a clear, workable research question is the most important task for any paper. An overly broad question becomes mission impossible, while an excessively narrow question won’t fill the pages. Learn strategies for crafting answerable, interesting questions to keep you motivated and your reader engaged. You will be better prepared to analyze assignments and write questions to get what you need from subordinates.
Sat Apr 27
1000, Zoom
Curious about how—or whether—to use generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Bing to support your research and writing? Do you have the AI literacy skills to navigate disruptive technologies? This workshop will help you explore generative AI confidently and ethically. Through use cases and discussion, we’ll identify when to avoid generative AI tools, when to exercise caution, and when to use them freely to support your work.
April 29-May 3
Tue Apr 30
1100, DKL 151
A literature review is not, as is often believed, a multi-title book review. More than a summary, it identifies strengths and inadequacies in the literature, which dovetails with your goal of adding knowledge to your field. In this workshop, you will learn how literature reviews are constructed and how to make yours justify your research.
Tue Apr 30
1500, Zoom
Get from proposal to final draft! This once-a-week workshop series offers lessons and exercises on thesis-writing essentials, with a new topic each week. Sign up for one or all; chec
Wed May 1
1500, Zoom
So much reading, so little time! Learn Dr. Zach Shore’s method of reading for argument at the graduate level, tailored to social science and business fields. Dr. Shore’s “search and destroy” technique allows you to synthesize an author’s arguments efficiently. Level I teaches the “search” half—how to quickly extract an author's thesis and structure from an academic article. This method takes time to perfect, but the payoff is high in terms of better comprehension and time saved. For the “destroy” half, see Strategic Reading, Level II: Critiquing a Text.
Thu May 2
1200, DKL 151
Level II teaches the “destroy” half of Dr. Zach Shore’s “search and destroy” technique. This workshop prepares you for class discussions, argument papers, thesis writing, and more. Learn how to examine a text for its strengths and weaknesses, how authors build their arguments, and how to evaluate empirical and logical evidence. Strategic Reading, Level I, recommended but not required.
Fri May 3
1400, Zoom
Arguments are central to writing at the grad school level, and this workshop exposes the expert moves behind stealthy persuasion. You will learn how to logically organize a strong central argument, incorporate evidence, anticipate counterarguments, remedy any gaps in your defense, and ultimately convince your readers to trust your conclusions.
Writing coaches are waiting for you!
One of the best ways to improve your writing is to receive regular constructive feedback. GWC coaches assist with any type of assignment, from short papers to dissertations, and can help you face to face or via email. Coaches have the training and experience to help you organize your ideas, structure an argument, understand citation rules, and manage the writing process.
Make an appointment in WCOnline. WCOnline requires a simple, one-time registration. After you have registered, you can view (live and asynchronous coaching) schedules to find available appointments.
Coaches are also available Fridays 1000–1430 Pacific Time during GWC Write-ins—extended blocks of time for focused work on a paper or thesis—as well as for drop-in help 1200–1300 Monday–Friday.
Our Affiliates
TLC: Teaching and Learning Commons
Mission: Empowering cross-organizational teams as a community of practice to enhance the quality of NPS education through collaborations that create and support innovative and distinctive learning experiences.
email: TLC@nps.edu
TPO: Thesis Processing Office
Thesis Processing reviews and collects all NPS theses, dissertations, capstone reports, MBA reports, and joint applied projects. We help our students meet the NPS format and citation requirements and ensure the paper is of graduate-level quality.
GWC: Graduate Writing Center
Mission: To develop the writing and critical thinking skills of NPS students for success in graduate school and as military and civilian leaders.
email: writingcenter@nps.edu