グローバル教育展開オフィスでは、「英語論文執筆リトリート」を実施いたしました。
3日間の詳細について、ファシリテーターのエマニュエル・マナロ教授によるご報告と、参加者の大学院学生・学部学生計6名の感想をご覧ください。Facilitator, Professor Emmanuel Manalo
We conducted the three-day writing retreat at Shirahamaso Inn in Shiga on November 22-24. Similar to last year (2023), six students took part in the retreat: three at the Doctoral level, one at the Masters level, and two at the 4th-year Bachelors level. (Because of inadequate budget, we had to decline one Doctoral student who was the last one to apply to participate in the retreat.) All of the six students who were able to participate had completed a research study and were either writing a research paper in English for submission to an international academic journal, or were writing a research thesis or report that they would later convert to a paper for publication.
As a brief reminder: the purpose of the writing retreat was to provide the students with dedicated time and space so that they could set aside their daily responsibilities to focus only on writing. A supportive environment was provided for them so that they could make significant progress in writing their research paper in English. Providing a supportive environment is important as our emotions affect our concentration, writing motivation, and productivity.
The writing retreat we conducted was structured (in contrast to other writing retreats, which can be unstructured). After brief self-introductions at the start, I provided some advice on methods for effectively planning and structuring our objectives and time for writing. After that, we immediately started writing.
We structured the days into three writing blocks: morning (3 hours), early afternoon (2 hours), and late afternoon (3 hours), with short breaks in between. At the start of each block, we quickly planned and declared specific goals for what we will aim to achieve. At the end of each day, we reported and discussed our progress and any problems we encountered. During the writing blocks, participants could take short breaks if they wished. We worked together in the same big room, and participants could ask questions or seek advice from each or from me at any stage.
I am very pleased to report that everyone made significant progress in writing during this retreat. I am expecting that the three doctoral students would be able to complete and submit their papers to a journal in the next month or two. Based on the progress they made, I am also expecting that the three thesis students would be able to submit their theses ahead of their submission deadline and be able to complete writing a paper for journal submission before the new academic year starts.
Written feedback from the six students who participated in the writing retreat is provided below.
Participants
Yukari Abe (D3)
Participating in the writing retreat was an invaluable experience that allowed me to make significant progress on my paper. The structure of the retreat, with about two-hour slots for focused writing, was highly effective in helping me maintain concentration without feeling distracted.
Additionally, the requirement to regularly report my progress created a positive sense of accountability. This not only motivated me to stay on track, but also enabled me to monitor my writing process more carefully. Overall, the retreat provided the perfect environment for productivity and reflection on my work.
Lei Zhang (D3)
This was my second time participating in this event which is an invaluable opportunity to focus entirely on writing as well as relaxing. Under Professor Manalo’s guidance, I learned effective techniques for organizing and structuring academic papers. Additionally, learning from other participants was particularly inspiring.
Hirohito Okano (D1)
Thank you very much for allowing me to participate in the Writing Retreat. These three days were the most productive days I have had since entering graduate school in terms of writing. I hope to complete the review paper I am writing this year.
Haruka Murakami (M2)
I think writing retreats are incredibly helpful for productive writing time. They allow me to focus on writing more effectively than usual, and it’s also reassuring to have friends and a professor nearby who are equally dedicated to their writing. Thank you for organizing such an amazing opportunity.
Khant Si Thu (B4)
I am really glad that I was able to attend the November Writing Retreat. It was a new experience for me, and I have never written so much in such a brief period of time. And although it was a lot of work, perhaps because everyone was doing it together, it didn’t feel like I was getting stressed out. Overall, I am very satisfied with both the experience, and the resulting work that I was able to accomplish.
Minzih Wei (B4)
The three days of the writing retreat were the most productive moments in my life. The writing retreat created a supportive environment with an appropriate amount of tension that helped me fully concentrate on my work and finish the goals I set for myself. I really appreciated this chance and felt a sense of accomplishment from it.